March 17, 2020 (South Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev.) — As the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation continues to escalate, the Tahoe Chamber is continuously working to collect and share resources, assistance, and support for the business community to help them stay healthy, informed and prepared. Our commitment lies with serving you and our region in any capacity we can during this unprecedented time.
We wanted to provide you with an update on how the Tahoe Chamber is responding. This is our plan as of now, and we will continue to update our membership as new information arises.
COVID-19 Information & Resources: We have developed a business resource page with links that includes financial, local, state, and federal resources to help educate employers and employees on how to prepare for and address the impacts of the Coronavirus. We will update this online toolkit as new guidance and information becomes available, and we encourage business owners to continue to monitor the outbreak and implement strategies to help protect customers and employees.
Chamber Events: It is important that our members remain safe and secure from any potential exposure of COVID-19, therefore the Chamber has postponed or cancelled all physical events through May 16. Due to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s moratorium on gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks, as well as the threat to community members, local businesses, and staff, this precautionary decision is necessary.
The GO Local Business EXPO has been rescheduled for May 29th, and many of our smaller events have also been postponed for now, including the Level UP Workshop: Active Shooter Training for Businesses planned for April 8 and the Connect for a Cause Charity Mixer with CASA El Dorado planned for April 16. We will be closely monitoring the situation and take any necessary precautions regarding later events and meetings as needed. Please stay tuned for more information or visit our website for the status of our programs.
Chamber Operations: To protect the safety of our employees and our members, the Tahoe Chamber office will be closed to the public, with an exception for prescheduled appointments. The staff will continue to be dedicated to our members and work hard remotely to support the business community in this trying time. Please continue to contact us with anything you need by emailing emily@tahoechamber.org or calling (775) 588 1728.
Coronavirus Impact Survey: In an effort to gain an accurate assessment of the outbreak’s impact to businesses, the Chamber has created this brief survey. All information will be reported in general terms and individual business information will remain confidential. Alternatively, please feel free to reach out to us directly with any challenges or disruptions that you have experienced over the last two weeks.
Webinars: The Chamber is working on developing new webinars focused on the complex issues facing businesses during this crisis and post-crisis in an effort to support member. In addition, we encourage members to explore the Coggno Online Training webinar library offered on our website to train in topics like marketing, human resources, and business administration.
Small Business Assistance and Lending: Our partner in workforce development, the Sierra Small Business Development Center, is prepared to help local business owners through the unprecedented and trying effects of the COVID-19 virus. Their business counselors are available to meet remotely to provide expert advice on adjusting cash flow, marketing plans and access to emergency loans to keep your business up and running, all at no cost to the client. They can also assist businesses in accessing the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Assistance Loans. Learn more and sign up for their services at SierraSBDC.com.
Business Promotion: The Chamber is working to communicate to the community on how best to support local businesses as this situation continues. The Chamber will also be sharing members’ social media posts of their changing operations, new creative promotions, and important updates on our GO Local Tahoe and Tahoe Chamber Facebook pages. If you would like to be included in these promotions, please send your social media posts or messaging to annie@tahoechamber.org. We will also be working with members throughout this quickly changing situation on their messaging to their customers and their evolving strategies. Communication is one of the most important tools that business owners should be using throughout this situation, and we encourage businesses to increase their communication on all platforms to connect with their customers and community.
We understand that many of our members may be feeling the impact of this crisis in an immediate and profound way, and we are committed to helping you get through this. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can help.
The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) is dedicated to developing, promoting and representing the South Shore business community on both sides of the state line as the local chamber of commerce. The Tahoe Chamber provides resources, programs, services and opportunities to members with the goal to sustain a high quality of life for the community by achieving economic vitality. For more information about Tahoe Chamber, visit www.tahoechamber.org.