Workshop to aid small-business owners plan and prepare for emergencies

    GUELPH, ON, Jan. 25 /CNW/ - Guelph small-business owners are invited to
attend an emergency planning workshop presented by the Institute for
Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR). This free event, sponsored by The
Co-operators and hosted by the City of Guelph and the Downtown Guelph Business
Association, encourages local businesses to plan and prepare for emergency
situations.
    The presentation takes place at the River Run Centre on Monday, February
4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will be followed by lunch. Seating is limited
for this event. To register, businesses are invited to contact the Downtown
Guelph Business Association at 519-836-6144 or e-mail info@downtownguelph.com.
    "Our City's emergency personnel are ready to respond when disaster
strikes. But in addition to their emergency response role, our Emergency
Services team is committed to promoting planning and prevention. That's what
today's workshop is all about," said Mayor Karen Farbridge. "The City is
pleased to partner with the Downtown Guelph Business Association and The
Co-operators to bring this event to local small businesses."
    ICLR Managing Director, Glenn McGillivray, and Research Coordinator, Dan
Sandink, will speak to a variety of topics, including climate change and
catastrophic loss reduction, business continuity and resiliency, and emergency
planning for small businesses.
    "There has never been a greater need for organizations of all types to be
prepared to respond to emergencies," said Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO
of The Co-operators and Chairperson of the ICLR. "It can be particularly
challenging for small businesses to develop business continuity plans. So
we're pleased to help our local businesses better equip themselves to minimize
disruption to their operations in times of emergency."
    The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction is committed to reducing
deaths, injuries and property damage resulting from disasters by conducting
research and sharing disaster prevention knowledge in Canada. Population
growth, increased pressure on infrastructure, and increasingly frequent and
severe storms resulting from climate change have combined to significantly
increase the threat of disasters in recent years.
    While all families and organizations should take steps to mitigate these
risks, small businesses in particular often lack the resources necessary to do
so. With this in mind, the ICLR will be presenting Business Resumption
Toolkits to Guelph-based small businesses. The free toolkits are a planning
resource for small business owners to help them make preparations that would
allow them to reduce the impact of catastrophic events on their business
operations.

    About The Co-operators:

    Based in Guelph, Ontario, The Co-operators is the leading Canadian-owned
multi-product insurance company, offering home, auto, life, travel, group,
commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products and property
development. With assets of $7 billion, The Co-operators is a co-operative
owned by a group of Canadian co-operatives, credit unions and like-minded
organizations. It is well known for its community involvement, and is listed
among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.

For further information: Leonard Sharman, The Co-operators,
1-877-795-7272, ext. 2707