Small Business Protection

“Thank you so much for presenting the Open for Business ®/Service program at the Napa Chamber of Commerce’s 'Don’t Let a Disaster Do You In' workshop on February 27, 2007. The information was received very well and the participants were thankful to get a practical and useful tool to use to get their preparations started. Your organization is providing a truly important function – educating small businesses about why its important to prepare and, most importantly, an easy to use method to get to work on preparing."

Kate King, President and CEO, Napa Chamber of Commerce

“Open for Business ® toolkit provides our cities with a high quality and easy-to-use planning tool that they can brand and deliver to their local businesses. I am pleased to be able to share this information with my colleagues here in Los Angeles County.”

Mike Martinet, Disaster Management Area Coordinator for 14 cities in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, CA

“Open for Business ® toolkit checklists are very impressive and informative. Last year we made a substantial investment to have an expert in disaster preparedness and recovery visit our Agency and each employee’s home to conduct a survey and deliver a written plan.  The firm did a very comprehensive job, but Open for Business ® has given me additional insights and ideas that were not included in that consultation. Thanks again.”

Gene Gillispie. President A. L Howes Agency, Inc. (Agent for the Erie Insurance Group of Companies)

“Open for Business ® can help you make sure you and your employees and all your sweat and hard work are safe. You may be so busy doing what it takes to make your business work, day by day, that you never get around to planning. Now is the time to look at what you need to do to pick up the pieces and get back to business quickly. What can go wrong, and what can you do now to minimize the risk? You really need a plan, and a backup, to remain safe and secure.”

Dave Shimberg, CBCP, Past Chairman, Contingency Planning Association of the Carolinas

"There doesn't have to be a natural disaster or a terrorism attack for it to be a catastrophe to a business.  A building fire, death of a key employee, a cyber attack, or civil unrest can all be equally debilitating for a small business.  As chamber of commerce professionals, we must acknowledge the ramifications of disasters on a local economy can be staggering. They include loss of jobs, economic productivity and community wealth.  As we have learned from IBHS, the key to understanding such an event is disaster preparedness or business interruption preparedness.

"Chambers of commerce are the oldest institutions of commerce in the United States.  Our very mission is to promote a strong local economy. . .I believe as chambers of  commerce, we have an obligation to go beyond educating our members and the business community at large about this issue; we must get them prepared."

Kara Kelley, President & CEO, Las Vegas (Nevada) Chamber of Commerce