USVIHTA Update | September 2020
Greetings Members,

The Board of Directors for both associations will be meeting with Gov. Bryan this morning via Zoom conference to get an update on the pending reopening of the territory. We will send a recap following the meeting.
COVID-19 Update
Please click the links below to read our recent updates. Keep in mind that statistics are changing daily as we learn more, so some of the information from our updates may have changed. You can also visit doh.vi.gov/covid19usvi for more information. To receive updates, alerts and notifications on COVID-19 in the USVI, TEXT “COVID19USVI” to 888777. If you suspect you have symptoms or if you have questions, please call the Health Department’s Epidemiology Division Hotline: 340-‪712-6299 (STX) and 340-‪776-1519 (STT & STJ).

USVIHTA COVID-19 Communications:

Other Information:
Community Invited to Virtual Town Hall Meetings on Tourism and Economic Development
The USVI community is invited to participate in a series of Virtual Town Hall meetings that are being held territory-wide. The Town Hall meetings will provide individuals and businesses with an opportunity to weigh in on the discussion of how the territory can increase economic opportunity and explore ways to diversify the USVI economy. The insight and recommendations gleaned from these discussions will be used to shape the territory’s five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and the Tourism Master Plan (TMP). The meetings are open to the entire public; however, participants must register in advance. To register for the virtual sessions, visit https://cell.uvi.edu/programs/tourism-and-economic-study-2020.aspx. Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent containing further information about joining the meeting. The virtual sessions are as follows: St. Croix: 6 – 8 p.m. on Sept. 9; St. John: 6 – 8 p.m. on Sept. 16; St. Thomas: 6 – 8 p.m. on Sept. 23. Read more.
USVI Small Business Resources September
The VISBDC wants to let our community know that we are available to assist local businesses in the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas/St. John call 340-693-1694; St. Croix call 340-692-4294; email us: info@visbdc.org. Click here to read more about upcoming webinars, financial assistance, COVID-19 assistance and more.
Complimentary Registration to CHRIS & HOLA Unite
As a key supporter of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association I’d like to offer you a complimentary registration to attend the leading annual tourism investment conference for the region: CHRIS & HOLA Unite. This virtual conference by The BHN Group (a Northstar Company), which replaces the in-person conference which CHTA founded over 20 years ago, takes on added significance given the changing environment on investments and the new challenges and opportunities presented as planned and existing properties rethink their development plans, upgrades, financing, brand alliance opportunities, potential property sale, and partnership scenarios. Register using CHTA's comp registration. Read more.

More from regional partners:
Each September, National Preparedness Month reminds us how important it is to prepare for disasters. For the next four weeks, National Preparedness Month will highlight easy-to-follow steps that your family can take to improve preparedness at home. This week, the theme is Make A Plan. Take time this week to make a plan to be ready for disasters and emergencies that could impact you. This includes ensuring your plans consider impacts the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could have. Read more.
Bryan Williams' Tip: Six Leadership Tips to Embrace
Here are a few tips to help you build the culture you desire: 1) The leadership behaviors YOU consistently model will impact your team's culture FAR more than any speaker or consultant can ever do. 2) One of the fastest ways to demotivate your best team members is to tolerate mediocrity from everyone else. 3) Your best employees would prefer to work by themselves (or even short-staffed) rather than work alongside someone who gives the bare minimum. 4) Only allow people to stay on your team whom you believe in. 5) How you celebrate excellence says a lot about you. 6) How you address non-performance says a lot about you. Takeaway: Believe in each person on your team and keep your expectations high.
Save the Date
Click here to view upcoming events. And don't forget to share your special events with members today by emailing kaufmann.laurel@gmail.com.