New Orleans Disaster Preparedness Workshops Feature IBHS Business Continuity Expert

June 12, 2015

TAMPA – June 12, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Disasters of any type can be costly for businesses and even result in permanent closure. To help New Orleans businesses prepare for disasters, free workshops will feature Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety(IBHS) business continuity expert Gail Moraton.

The workshops, entitled Ready for Anything: Building Economic Resilience into your Business Model, will help participants identify their operation’s vulnerabilities during natural or manmade disasters, and develop strategies to overcome these challenges. Participants also will learn how to create business continuity plans and will receive a free copy of IBHS’ easy-to-use continuity planning toolkit, OFB-EZ® (Open for Business-EZ).

“Business preparedness and continuity planning can make all the difference in a crisis. Having a plan in place before a disaster strikes will enable a business owner to act quickly so they can get back to business as soon as possible,” said Moraton, who is a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP).

The dates, times and locations of the workshops are:

Tuesday, June 30, 6:30-8:30 pm, 1307 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, 3rd Floor Conference Room
Wednesday, July 1, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, 2028 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd (Good Work Network)
Thursday, July 2, 8:30-10:30 am, 2028 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd (Good Work Network)

Through the New Orleans Main Street Resiliency Initiative, these workshops are focused on businesses from the following six commercial corridors:

Broad Street (from Tulane Avenue to Bayou Road)
O. C. Haley Boulevard (from Phillip to Caliope Street)
St. Claude Avenue (from Elysian Fields Avenue to Press Street)
Newton Street (from Teche Street to Behrman Hwy)
St. Bernard Avenue (from N. Claiborne Avenue to Broad Street)
Alcee Fortier Boulevard (from Chef Highway to Michoud Lagoon)

While the workshops are focused on these locations, all New Orleans-area businesses and economic development and business technical assistance providers are encouraged to participate. The workshops are sponsored by StayLocal!, the Greater New Orleans’ independent business alliance, New Orleans-based companyWater Works, and the New Orleans Main Street Resiliency Initiative.

“IBHS’ mission is to make communities more resilient against disasters, and these type of workshops provide an important opportunity to work closely with local organizations such as StayLocal!, Water Works and the New Orleans Main Street Initiative to support communities and businesses in their efforts to be prepared,” said Moraton.

For more information and to register for these free workshops, visit:www.staylocal.org/events/ready-anything-building-economic-resilience-your-business-model.

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About The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks on residential and commercial property by conducting building science research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparedness practices.

Media Contact: Tiffany O’Shea, 512-656-7811 (Mobile) or