Lessons Learned about Phased Reopenings, COVID Protocols and Legal Protections

Thursday, Oct. 29, 1:30 – 3 p.m. ET

 

Description

As businesses and organizations reopen after shutdowns caused by COVID-19, leaders are faced with a triple challenge: ensuring safety while maintaining profitability and exceeding customer expectations.

Despite everything, a great deal of experimentation and innovation is happening across the state—including in East Tennessee at Zoo Knoxville.

In this session, participants will hear from President and CEO Lisa New about Zoo Knoxville’s phased reopening and its approach to safety protocols, employee and guest communication and event planning in preparation for the holiday season.

Participants also will learn about the newly passed Tennessee COVID-19 Recovery Act—which protects businesses and organizations from unfounded legal claims—as well as resources and trainings available to aid decision makers during the pandemic.

 

 

What You’ll Learn

  • How to determine which safety protocols to implement and when to re-evaluate your approach
  • How to involve employees in the decision-making process in order to create a work plan that meets everyone’s needs
  • How to communicate with customers so that expectations align with experiences
  • How to plan ahead when you don’t have all the facts
  • What resources are available to you as decision-makers and employers

 


 

Speakers

Bradley Jackson
Bradley Jackson
President and CEO, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Tennessee Manufacturers Association

In his role as president and CEO, Bradley Jackson is responsible for overall operations of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Tennessee Manufacturers Association. The organization’s primary focus is the development and legislative approval of business issues to ensure Tennessee is a top state for business growth and development. Jackson previously was the vice president for government relations and community affairs for the Chamber, leading all aspects of its advocacy efforts for nine years. Prior to joining the Chamber, he served in the Governor’s office and the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, managing a variety of legislative and operational initiatives and served the Tennessee General Assembly Senate and House Finance Ways and Means joint committee staff. Jackson serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 and the boards of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Tennessee Economic Development Council. Originally from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree from UT Knoxville.


Lisa New
Lisa New
President and CEO, Zoo Knoxville

Lisa New serves as president and CEO of Zoo Knoxville, a role she was appointed to in 2013 after serving as interim. She is the fifth individual and first female to serve in this capacity in the Zoo’s 72-year history. She has contributed to the organization’s growth and development in numerous ways during her 30-year career, including serving as director of animal collections and conservation from 2000 to 2012. Her passion for animals and desire to be a field researcher in primatology is what brought her to the Zoo as a research assistant and curator in 1990. A native of Knoxville, New earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in ethology, both from UT Knoxville.


Nicole Watson
Nicole Watson
Counsel, Waller

Nicole Watson is an attorney at Waller law firm in Nashville, representing the interests of corporate clients, industry groups, professional associations and not-for-profit organizations before elected officials in the Tennessee General Assembly, U.S. Congress and government officials in numerous local, state and federal agencies. Her experience includes drafting and negotiating legislation, assisting with regulatory and rulemaking compliance strategy and traditional lobbying to the state legislature, the state executive branch, congressional representatives, state and federal agencies, city councils, county officials and community leaders. Additionally, Nicole monitors legislative developments and educates clients on legislative processes, procedures and progress. She also manages political action committees (PACs) and fundraising programs for clients and provides guidance on grassroots advocacy efforts and the development of coalitions.