LATEST UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
Ladysmith-Open for Business Online Directory
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association (LDBA) are working hard to promote business recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Consumer awareness and confidence in business practices will be a key component of successful recovery. The Chamber and the LDBA are here to help. 
 
An online business directory is being prepared and will be launched to the public on June 1 st . The business directory will highlight all businesses that are open and any practices they are implementing to keep themselves and their customers safe. Thank you to the many businesses who have already sent us your information. For those business owners/managers who have not sent us your info we would love to hear from you. **Please note there is no charge for this service. If you wish to be listed please email the following information to us:
1.   Your business name:
2.  Phone number:
3.  Website and/or Facebook
4.  Business Hours:
5.  Anything unique about the way you are operating: (For example: shop by appointment, customer limits, curb-side pickup etc.) Please limit your response to 2-3 sentences.
 
 
We are pleased to give you a sneak peek at the directory which is actually part of a larger Investment and Tourism Attraction website which will also be officially launched on June 1 st . You’ll hear more about the official launch soon.  
Click here to view the directory (and the larger website)
 
For those businesses who have already sent us your info, and for those who plan to sign up, PLEASE  KEEP US UP TO DATE  ON ANY CHANGES TO YOUR HOURS AND SERVICES so that the directory remains current and accurate.
 
We look forward to working with you and your business as we all try to get back on our feet after this incredible challenge. We Ladysmither’s are a resilient bunch and we’ll get through this … together.
WorkSafeBC
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WorkSafeBC guidelines are now available for some businesses and organizations listed in Phase 2. Working with employees and unions, businesses must use these guidelines to create a public COVID-19 Safe Plan outlining how they will adjust operations to keep employees and the public safe. Download COVID-19 Safety Plan Template
COVID-19
Industry safety (B.C.’s Restart Plan, Phase1 Agriculture ,  Construction ,  Forestry ,  Health care ,  Hospitality ,  Manufacturing ,  Municipalities ,  Retail ,  Small business ,  Transportation
Returning to safe operation (B.C.’s Restart Plan, Phase2

Find out more here.
Cowichan Survey to Support Small Business
Hello Chamber Members.
In response to the unparalleled economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and Cowichan Strong partners are reaching out to the business community to assess the effects at a local level .
The Cowichan Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) Survey #1 is designed to measure the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on your business operations – now and in the weeks to come. I ask that you take the time to complete this, and future, surveys.
Identifying the impacts at a local level will help the CVRD and local business organizations develop a recovery strategy that considers the needs of our community as expressed by local business owners/operators.
This short survey (approx. 7 mins) will give partners the detailed information needed to support our business community through recovery planning.
Every four weeks for the next three months a new survey will be distributed to assess the economic recovery progress as we move through the recovery phase.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey . Your insights help us support Cowichan businesses in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce
COVID-19 SURVEY
YOUR STORY-OUR FUTURE
How has  #COVID19  affected your life, your family and your future? B.C. has launched a population health survey to gather valuable information about how COVID-19 has impacted the health and well-being of people in our province. LEARN MORE...
Prime Minister announces additional support for businesses to help save Canadian jobs
Prime Minister announces opening of program to protect jobs and help businesses: The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that application documents and updated criteria for Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses are now available, and that the program will be opened for applications beginning on May 25. Read More..

Prime Minister announces expansion of support for workers and small businesses: The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include many owner-operated small businesses. This extended measure will help small businesses protect the jobs that Canadians rely on. The changes to the CEBA will allow more Canadian small businesses to access interest free loans that will help cover operating costs during a period when revenues have been reduced, due to the pandemic.   Read More..
Keeping the Cowichan Valley connected.
Resources, tools and information for businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
What is #cowichanstrong?
Cowichan businesses now have a new resource tool to support them in this time of economic crisis. The   #cowichanstrong   initiative provides a one-stop source for the Cowichan business community to respond, adapt, and recover from COVID-19.

The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is now an active partner in the #cowichanstrong initiative.

Check out the latest edition of the newsletter here or visit the Cowichan Strong website
Buy Local Cowichan
Cowichan Strong invites all Cowichan businesses to be showcased on   Buy Local Cowichan.  
Buy Local Cowichan  connects consumers to local businesses while COVID-19 restrictions are in place.
It will be promoted on partners’ Facebook pages, webpages, and through local media to encourage people to shop locally.
By registering your business on the  buy local  page, your business is featured on a centralized and community-endorsed tool, giving you the opportunity to reach new and existing customers. Businesses can input a description of products, services, hours and contact information. This helps customers by providing a comprehensive, and up-to-date, catalogue of opportunities to buy local.

HOW TO EARN THE TRUST OF CUSTOMERS AS YOU REOPEN YOUR BUSINESS
Around the globe, governments are rolling out detailed plans for the “new normal” of life during COVID-19. In British Columbia, our government has released a multi-phased plan for  restarting our economy , with the onus on individual businesses to plot their path forward.
As businesses begin to consider their plan for safe operation, a key question must be answered: How can you demonstrate to customers it is safe to do business with you? According to the  Retail Council of Canada , 85 per cent of consumers are going to need to see evidence of enhanced safety measures prior to resuming their normal shopping habits. Businesses must satisfy the dual goals of creating a safe environment for customers and staff, while detailing these plans publicly for consumers to see.

Since mid-March, consumers have become accustomed to social distancing while shopping, and enhanced safety features like plexiglass and personal protective equipment. Lean on these established methods when creating your own plan, considering the following key areas: Click here to view key areas
Tripadvisor Resources
The Tripadvisor link below will take you to a number of resources developed to support tourism businesses and organizations though COVID recovery. There are a number of webinars, tips and tools on optimizing your presence on the Tripadvisor platform specifically during this time. Read More
Zoom Video Tutorials
View Live Training Please click here to register for upcoming live training or access recent recordings for Zoom Meetings, Webinars, Zoom Rooms and Administrators. Zoom Meetings Zoom Meetings...
WEBINARS
REGISTER for the BC Tourism Resiliency Network / WORKSAFE BC WEBINAR
The BC Tourism Resiliency Network is a long-term resiliency program providing BC tourism businesses with meaningful, one-on-one support to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt and work towards eventual recovery.
Friday May 22 – 1:00PM PST (60 minutes)

In advance of WorkSafeBC’s development of health and safety guidelines specific to tourism (expected in June), Chris Back, Director of OHS Consultation & Education Services, will provide an overview of what employers and employees should consider as you develop your plans for re-opening and a return to work. This webinar will also touch on what future visitors will expect and need from a health and safety perspective. WorkSafeBC’s Consultation & Education Services assists the workers and employers of British Columbia by positively influencing health and safety behaviours and disability management practices through partnerships, consultation and outreach.

Register for the webinar
This webinar was made possible thanks to ICET
Destination BC: Supporting BC’s Tourism Industry on The Road to Recovery 
Response, Recovery, and Resilience from COVID-19

Destination BC has launched a series of webinars to support small businesses like yours on the road to recovery from COVID-19. You may have many questions about re-opening, consumer expectations, and marketing strategies in the weeks to come. These webinars will help address these questions as you plan your path forward.
We all want a better, brighter future for tourism in BC. Destination BC believes that through meaningful collaboration and support, together we can re-ignite BC’s tourism industry, propel tourism businesses forward, accelerate growth amongst destinations, and plan for a successful future in our province. 
All sessions will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the dates noted below. Register for the following free sessions:
  • May 21: Managing Expectations and Reputation through Effective Communication. Register here.
  • May 26: Using Social Media to Support Re-opening. Register here.
  • May 28: Building a Digital Marketing Strategy for Re-opening. Register here.
For more information, visit our  Learning Centre .
Thank you, we hope you find these helpful.
Jenn MacIntyre
Manager, Industry Development
FREE Webinar Series from Small Business BC / Strategies for Staying Resilient During COVID-19
Faced with significant challenges wrought by COVID-19, resilience is more important than ever for small business owners.
 
As a follow up to our special topics webinar “Staying Resilient During Extraordinary Times” facilitated by Christina Nikiforuk, Leadership Coach and Consultant, we are pleased to offer a three-part next resilience series.
 
Each webinar will feature a small business owner who will share their tools and tips for enhancing resilience. You will have an opportunity to learn what other business owners are doing from both a business point of view, as well as a mental health perspective, during this extraordinary period. Sign up once for the entire package here to reap all the benefits of the whole series.
 
May 21, 1pm-2pm PST
Creating Professional Video Content Using Your Phone
May 22, 9:00am – 11:00am PST
Web Presence 101 and customer engagement during COVID-19.
How to Set Up Your Online Marketing Channels
May 22, 1pm-2pm PST
HR Action Items for Reopening Your Business
May 25, 1:30pm-3pm PST
Export Beyond B.C. with E-Commerce
May 27, 10:00am – 11:00am PST 
Strategies for Staying Resilient During Covid-19 
June 01, 1pm-2pm PST
Designing a New Content Marketing Plan for 2020
Small Business BC 
UPCOMING FREE COVID-19
DIGITAL MEETUPS
Time: 11:00am – 11:45am
As we begin the process of re-opening our economy, many business owners will face the need to rebuild and hire new staff.
Join us, as we speak with Trish Kelly, Senior Accessibility Consultant at the President’s Group, on how to build your business from the ground up with a more inclusive hiring policy. Not only can an employer cast a wider net to find the right candidate, they’ll also enhance the standing of their brand through inclusive hiring practices.
The format this session as a platform for Q&A with the attendees, to ensure we can support you during this unprecedented time.
FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
We sincerely hope that you, your families, your employees, coworkers and all around you are safe and healthy in these extraordinary times. The Ladysmith Chamber has worked hard to monitor the many announcements related to federal, provincial and local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and make information pertinent to business readily available to you on our website, newsletters and Facebook posts. We have also tried our best to monitor how your businesses have adjusted to the current crisis to make this information available to the public through our Facebook page. (If you have not already Liked and Followed our Page, you may need to do so in order to tag us.)
CHAMBER PARTNERSHIPS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is proud to work closely with the BC Chamber and local area Chambers
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre
All upcoming events have been postponed until further notice.
In following the Minister of Health recommendation to practice Social Distancing and to do our part to flatten the curve and keep our team safe, we are primarily working from home. If you need to contact us by telephone, you can call 250-245.2112 (please try, where possible, to restrict your calls to regular business hours) or send an email
33 Roberts Street, PO Box 598 Ladysmith,
BC V9G1A4 Canada
250-245-2112