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STRATEGIES AND IDEAS

ORGANIZATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Heightened awareness campaigns to enhance comfort levels, collaborative clean and safe regimens, and strong partnerships will be essential to recovery.

Be the hub of district communications.

Continue to work and position the organization as the go-to source for district information, news and updates.
Plan and deploy an escalated awareness campaign promoting and illustrating actions the district and businesses are taking to best ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable environment and experience.
Prepare materials, posters, signs etc. — linked to the overarching district awareness campaign — that businesses can customize and place at entries and points of sale to communicate actions taken to keep employees and customers safe.

Promote good housekeeping.

Encourage businesses to go beyond what is minimally required to provide a safe, clean and comfortable environment for employees and customers.
Consider drafting a “good business neighbor pledge” and recognize businesses who commit to follow or exceed minimal maintenance and housekeeping standards, customer-friendly parking practices, etc.

Publicize actions the organization is taking.

Communicate actions and the role your organization and partners are playing to advance district and community-wide recovery efforts.

Be the eyes, ears and voice for the district.

Be alert to state and local updates and changing conditions. Work collaboratively with local government and partner organizations to monitor changes, communicate with stakeholders, and advocate for the needs of district businesses.

Shine the spotlight on members and volunteers.

Put your volunteers and members in the spotlight by featuring their contributions and the actions they’re taking to aid recovery efforts, help fellow businesses and community members, and build a stronger sense of community.

Explore possibilities for bulk purchasing.

Determine the needs of business community members with regard to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitization and cleaning supplies, paper products, etc, and explore possibilities for bulk purchasing to help meet demand and offset business costs.

Fundraise.

It may seem like an inappropriate, inopportune or awkward time to ask for support, but the ability to influence positive change and play an impactful role in post-pandemic recovery efforts requires resources. Invite those who are able to invest in the cause, and consider crowdfunding and other alternative fundraising avenues that provide stakeholders, friends and advocates the opportunity to invest.