A smiling woman's portrait is featured in the foreground of a blue promotional flyer for a "Small Business Disaster Preparedness Lunch & Learn" event.

Parma Area Chamber of Commerce

PACC Members

Non-members

Most small businesses aren&rsquo;t as ready for disasters as they think. A 2026 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation &amp; Verizon survey revealed that 69% have no disaster plan, 94% believe they&rsquo;d recover, yet 66% don&rsquo;t know the hazards most likely to impact their area. Many also assume preparedness would cost 30% of annual revenue, when the real average is closer to 5%. This session will break down what readiness truly looks like&mdash;including the four essential steps to preparedness, why planning protects both revenue and operations, and how your business can pre‑qualify for a $5,000 post‑disaster early recovery grant. Guest speaker: Kristi Tabaj grew up in Parma Heights and graduated from Valley Forge High School. Her professional experience in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery includes work as a lifeguard and wildland firefighter as well as an early responder in post-hurricane Guatemala and Puerto Rico. Most recently, she led resilience building projects with the former U.S. Agency for International Development&rsquo;s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

Most small businesses aren’t as ready for disasters as they think. A 2026 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation &amp; Verizon survey revealed that 69% have no disaster plan, 94% believe they’d recover, yet 66% don’t know the hazards most likely to impact their area. Many also assume preparedness would cost 30% of annual revenue, when the real average is closer to 5%. This session will break down what readiness truly looks like—including the four essential steps to preparedness, why planning protects both revenue and operations, and how your business can pre‑qualify for a $5,000 post‑disaster early recovery grant. Guest speaker: Kristi Tabaj grew up in Parma Heights and graduated from Valley Forge High School. Her professional experience in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery includes work as a lifeguard and wildland firefighter as well as an early responder in post-hurricane Guatemala and Puerto Rico. Most recently, she led resilience building projects with the former U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

Parma Area Chamber of Commerce

Small Business Disaster Preparedness Lunch & Learn

6200 Pearl Rd

PACC Members

$20

Non-members

$25

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