Goal

Facilitate Stabilization and Recovery Strategies for those Industry Sectors Hit Hardest by the Pandemic

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devasting to many industry sectors across DuPage, due in large part to the forced closures or heightened restrictions placed upon them during the pandemic. While some industries were able to rebound, many industry sectors remain on life support, especially those related to business travel, leisure and hospitality, food service and retail, and the long-term impact of the pandemic on these sectors remains unclear.

It is critical that we work with leaders across industry sectors hit hardest by the pandemic on strategies to stabilize and advance these sectors into recovery.

ACTION PLAN

1. Work with industry representatives from the hotel, tourism, hospitality, restaurant, retail, arts, and other sectors, on specific actions that the DuPage business community can take to support these sectors as they recover and emerge post-pandemic. This could include, for example, a focused marketing campaign for sectors hit hardest by the pandemic and/or those that are positioned to capture immediate growth (i.e., leisure travel).
   
   In addition, Choose DuPage will work with specific industry groups, such as the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau (DCVB), on their initiatives that support a post pandemic industry sector recovery (i.e., programs and incentives to spur hotel and venue bookings, as well as to attract sporting events).
   
   
2. Support a new round of funding for the Reinvest DuPage grant relief program and advocate for higher revenue caps and larger grant awards, especially for those industry sectors hit hardest by the pandemic.