As hurricane season approaches, Charlotte County's proactive stance aims to bolster the local business community's defenses against potential disaster disruptions. In an effort to equip enterprises with the knowledge and tools for weathering the storm, Charlotte County Economic Development is joining forces with the Englewood and Punta Gorda Chambers of Commerce to host a Hurricane Readiness Webinar on June 26. Businesses throughout the region are urged to dial in from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. to partake in a session dedicated to emergency preparedness and continued economic stability, as per Charlotte County's announcement.
Officials from Charlotte County Economic Development will kick start the virtual meeting along with introductions by Doug Izzo, executive director of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, and Justin Brand of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. A lineup of experts has been assembled to delve into crucial aspects of disaster readiness including Patrick Fuller of Charlotte County Emergency Management and Dorian Zwierewicz representing the Florida SBDC at FGCU, according to Charlotte County's announcement. Other speakers like Kimberley Perry from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Bill Welch from CareerSource Southwest Florida will join, alongside a United Way of Charlotte County representative.
The free, public webinar is designed not just as a lecture but as an interactive platform for local entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders who stand to gain from a shared conversation on building disaster-resistant operations. The exchange of ideas and experiences promises to strengthen communal ties, paving the way for a resilient economic environment capable of withstanding nature's unpredictability.
Following the presentations, the webinar will wrap up with a Q&A session, affording attendees an opportunity to address their specific concerns directly with the experts. Kay Tracy, director of Charlotte County Economic Development, will provide summary remarks as the event concludes, aiming to emphasize actionable strategies for businesses in the days ahead. Events like these not only serve to inform but also demonstrate the power of collaborative planning in facing the challenges posed by severe weather threats.
