THE IMPACT OF COVID 19 ON CHAMBER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Posted onAuthorTerri Dennison

With concern for local businesses and the community during the COVID 19 pandemic, the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is making changes.

“First and foremost, The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hopes that our community members and their families are all safe and well,” Jennifer Leggett, President of the Chamber said. “With the safety and health of our community in mind, we are making some changes to our event calendar and membership structure.”

“During this unprecedented time, for the benefit of our members, the Chamber Board of Directors decided to extend all memberships until December 31, 2020 and not hold a membership drive this June.” Leggett said. “We have been talking about restructuring our membership dues to include the various event sponsorships and promotional programs so that it is more streamlined for our members; but with the current crisis, we just didn’t feel right asking members to pay dues while many are having difficulties.” She also added that the Annual Banquet has been postponed until January 2021.

In addition to the previously announced postponement of the White Lake Water Festival, the Chamber Board has also decided to cancel the Fourth of July fireworks at White Lake and to shorten the Sunset Jam Concert Series to 3 concerts in anticipation that large gatherings will be permissible later in the summer.

According to Terri Dennison, Executive Director of the Chamber, the new schedule of Chamber events includes:

  • Friday, July 31 – Legacy Motown Revue at Goldston’s Beach, White Lake
  • Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 – White Lake Water Festival
  • Friday, September 11 – Rivermist at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market, Elizabethtown
  • Friday, October 9 – Eaglewings at Cape Fear Farmer’s Market, Elizabethtown

Throughout the crisis, the Chamber has been distributing information on business resources and financial programs for small businesses using a special section on their website and a weekly e-mail blast.

Both Leggett and Dennison stressed that the Chamber is planning many other projects to help businesses and draw more visitors to the area including promotional programs once the crisis has subsided. The Chamber plans to unveil new programs and membership structure at an event in the Fall.