There has been quite a contrast from the summer of 2021 to the summer of 2022 for many North Bay businesses.
Kyle Selle, who operates Sellebration Productions Entertainment Services in North Bay says the changes from the summers of 2021 to 2022 have been drastic.
"From 2021 to 2022, I went from collecting CERB - so at a standstill for my business - now to an average of four to six events per week," said Selle.
"I have done more quotes in the last couple of weeks than I have done in ages," said Selle.
"We went from zero to 100 very fast."
Selle says he tried his best to re-schedule all the events that were postponed due to COVID-19 protocols last summer.
"A lot of them [Customers] have thanked me for not changing my prices from when they originally booked in 2020," he said.
"I was able to keep it at what was quoted back then and kind of fulfill that old contract at the old price but still be able to pay staff and all the overhead and still come out ahead."
The well-known local DJ is grateful and fortunate that he was able to maintain his staff.
"I am extremely fortunate that the crew that we have was excited and 'amped up' to get back. All of my crew has returned, not one of them has said no," said Selle noting that he pays his employees well.
As for the type of events that are filling his schedule, he estimates 85 per cent of those booking are weddings.
Selle says his business has expanded outside of North Bay due to some other entertainment businesses closing during the pandemic.
Now his company is providing event coverage in places like Sudbury and Huntsville.
"We are expanding outside the area a lot more than we were before," he said.
"We have been trying to re-schedule weddings that had been booked in the past and fitting them into dates and to have multiple crews on the same night to cover those events where people are not stuck. We are lucky that way."
Selle believes success comes from great teamwork.
"We have a team of 20 and when we have a day with four or five events we are able to cover them and that's what I call a team effort. I am thankful to have a team as dedicated as they are to fulfill all these events and needs for people."
He hopes his entertainment bookings will continue to roll in just like this for the summer of 2023.
