BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Birmingham Business Alliance said Friday it is planning a summit to help small businesses affected by the April 27 tornadoes and to discuss ways the region can recover from the natural disaster.
The BBA says it is asking small business leaders to join it on June 27 -- exactly 60 days after the tornadoes hit Alabama --- for a business-focused event, "After The Storm: The Business of Re-Building Birmingham."
The summit will take place at the Sheraton Birmingham beginning at 11 a.m., said a BBA member and managing director of Projects Unlimited, which will organize the event.
The half-day event, originally scheduled to be a small business expo next week as part of the BBA's Annual Small Business Week celebration, is designed for business owners, even those that did not suffer physical damage to their property, Fields said.
"After the storms, we felt it was important for the BBA to host an event to help businesses respond to this disaster," he said.
Details and speakers are still being worked out, but the "After the Storm" small business summit will focus on three areas:
• "Take Inventory: April 27th As Seen by the Birmingham News"
Fields said the BBA will ask reporters and others who covered the storms assess the storm and share perspective on lost lives, businesses, homes and what it means to the metro area.
"We want to discuss the crisis from a business and leadership perspective," Fields said.
• "Just In Case: Update Your Crisis and Disaster Plan"
Did your business already have a disaster or crisis plan in place before the tornadoes hit? Even if it did, Fields says, the BBA wants to examine issues such as how to make sure your plan has enough protection to help businesses survive and cover their needs.
Experts will share examples of what should be included in a disaster plan. Fields said the BBA wants companies affected by the storm to share live testimonials.
The one-hour workshop will include topics such as data/ document back up, facilities/operational back-up plans, and communications.
• "Turbocharged: Turning Crisis Into Opportunity"
City leaders say that they want Birmingham to be even better than it was before the storm. That leads to a question the BBA wants to explore: Is your business positioned to provide products and services that will be a part of this multi-year recovery?
"We want to give businesses a guide on how to respond to business opportunities that lie ahead of us now," Fields said,
Summit attendees will hear presentations from leading private, state and federal corporations and agencies that want to help small businesses know exactly what steps are needed to do business with them.
For more information on pricing and to register, call the BBA at 324-2100 or go to birminghambusinessalliance.com.
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