Now, more than maybe ever before, local businesses are in dire need of support.
Orillia & Lake Country Tourism is doing their part by shifting gears from marketing the region externally to encouraging local residents to shop locally.
“We certainly want the local residents to take advantage of any opportunities to buy or eat local, so we developed our website pages to feature local shops and restaurants that provide the opportunity to purchase safely,” explained Kris Puhvel, executive director of Orillia & Lake Country Tourism.
The marketing agency has seen tons of traffic on their web pages since beginning their shop local campaign.
“I think a lot of people are looking at those local options and we are doing everything we can to help boost our local businesses,” Puhvel said.
The local marketing team got the idea to encourage residents to support local business after seeing other destination marketing organizations in the area make the shift.
“There is a really great community spirit around here in the region and we had some of the same goals in mind as the other destination marketing organizations, so we decided it was a good effort to take and help support our local businesses," Puhvel explained.
For local businesses who want to be showcased on the Orillia & Lake Country Tourism website, send an email to [email protected]. They are updating the site constantly as businesses re-open and close.
The Orillia District Chamber of Commerce is also working closely with local businesses, trying to offer them some assistance during the pandemic.
Allan Lafontaine, managing director of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce, says the Chamber is meeting with its members weekly to provide updates, support and training on how to handle their business during these trying times.
“We have done Zoom training meetings, we have done employment law training, how to work at home training and we are getting as much information out as possible,” Lafontaine said.
While the Chamber is advocating to the provincial and federal government on behalf of local businesses, they are also working with the City of Orillia on a recovery plan as part of a newly formed task force.
“I think you will find things happen quicker in our areas because we all work together, there are many community groups working hard together and are all on the same page,” said Lafontaine, who gave kudos to the Downtown Orillia Management Board, Orillia Community Development Corporation, Orillia & Lake Country Tourism and the City of Orillia who are working closely with the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce to help local businesses.
Lafontaine is urging local businesses who are not currently part of the chamber to join immediately.
“If we can continue to advocate and continue our work here behind the scenes, it's going to get our economy working faster,” Lafontaine explained.
The Chamber is touching base with businesses through panels to find out what they need for recovery and are working hard to save as many local businesses as they can, he said.
“If you’re a business that’s in real trouble, reach out to us because the more businesses we have on board the better. There are so many people that have solutions and help,” Lafontaine said.
