Chamber Asks Businesses to Pledge to ‘Emerge Safely’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau are encouraging businesses in the area to sign a pledge to “Emerge Safely” as they return to work after the coronavirus shutdowns.

Part of the chamber’s Emerge information program started in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the pledge asks participants to commit to requiring protective equipment for employees, conducting daily health assessments, maintaining good hygiene, sanitizing workplaces and limiting capacities to keep in line with social distancing guidelines.

The pledge can be signed online HERE.

“We’ve spent the past few months working with many businesses that had questions or needed some assistance during this crisis, and as we’re navigating a new normal together, we’re glad to be able to take this next step in ensuring that consumers feel safe as they begin to again patronize all of the wonderful establishments that call our Valley home,” said Kim Calvert, the chamber’s vice president of marketing and member services, in a statement.

Once businesses sign the pledge, they will receive a toolkit featuring printable signs and logos to let customers know they are taking part in the Emerge Safely program.

“Numerous surveys have shown us that, at the current time, safety is the number one concern of both residents and visitors when deciding to patronize a business or visit an attraction,” said Linda Macala, executive director of the Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The Emerge Safely pledge shows a commitment to do everything possible to ensure consumer safety while businesses and attractions reopen. It reinforces the extra steps being taken to follow CDC guidelines to protect both staff and the public.”

Adds Beth Kotwis Carmichael, executive director of the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau: “The vitality of our local economy truly depends on our residents and their visiting friends and family knowing that businesses, activities, restaurants, entertainment options and others are actively abiding by cleaning protocols, putting their guest’s health and safety first. This pledge also gives our local businesses one more tool to ensure public trust.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.