COVID-19 Business Info Series ends with 100th call
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) took action, launching a regular series of conference calls to address the rapidly evolving situation. The COVID-19 Business Resource and Information webinars began March 16, 2020. June 16 marked the 100th and final call of the series.
“We still have issues to address and it’s going to take time, but we’re on the right path,” said EDB President Bruce Kendall. “The 100th call was a natural transition point for bringing the series to a close. Now our focus is on individual and collective efforts to deal with the challenges that remain as we go through recovery.”
Early in the call series, as many as 850 people dialed in for an in-depth discussion of the issues that most affected Pierce County businesses and organizations. Over 15 months, hundreds of local experts, business leaders and elected officials offered the most critical information businesses needed throughout the pandemic, from initial updates on COVID-19, to up-to-the minute information on assistance for companies and employees impacted by the pandemic, to tips for getting employees vaccinated and safely back to the office.
Chamber CEO Tom Pierson and KEDA Executive Director Joe Morrison co-hosted the calls with Kendall and guided the conversation. Kudos to Chamber staff Alison Bryan, Director of Strategic Engagement and Programming, for her superb work lining up speakers, and David Schroedel, Vice President of Policy and Entrepreneurship, for bringing key information, data and technical expertise to each meeting.
The calls may have ended, but support is still available. Keep an eye on the EDB, Chamber and KEDA websites and social media for ways to stay informed and connected.
Recordings of all the calls are available at edbTacomaPierce.org/covidwebinar.