Heroes of the Pandemic 05: Keanin Loomis - Leading Hamilton businesses through recovery to thrive once again

When COVID-19 halted much of the local economy, Keanin Loomis and his Hamilton Chamber of Commerce team responded by delivering the timely information their members need to survive.

“Everyone was coming to grips with what was happening,” reflected Keanin, President & CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “One of the big things we decided was to be an information clearing house for our members.”

Going digital centralizes information and cultivates connection

Within a mere five days, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce launched a COVID-19 microsite focused on centralizing up-to-date information from all levels of government and meaningful business resources such as legal, HR, and more recently, PPE suppliers.

“It quickly became the resource page for the whole Hamilton community,” explained Keanin.

He and his team also greenlit a webcast series that launched one week later.

“I very much empathize with all of our members during this pandemic,” reflected Keanin. “It’s about being as nimble as possible and adapting to the situation so that you’re able to survive and thrive again once this all said and done.”

The regular webcasts amplify the COVID-19 business information and provide much-needed human interaction and networking for people who share challenges.

Economic blueprint for recovery

As the community navigates reopening, Keanin and his team have created an economic blueprint for Hamilton’s recovery.

“Policy and advocacy work have always been a major focus for us and there are very few organizations in our community as well poised as we are to stand at a 30,000 foot level and see all the various things we can do to help optimize the economic recovery of our community, ” said Keanin.

The blueprint is being used as a resource by the City of Hamilton’s Economic Recovery Task Force and the Chamber of Commerce team will help drive the plan forward.

The strength of banding together

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce turns 175 years old this year –the oldest organization in Hamilton who has seen all the city’s ups and downs.

Keanin reflects that this may not be the year of commemoration they planned but the pandemic has more than ever highlighted the importance of business associations.  

“Associations are about coming together as a group – it’s important in good times but it’s especially important in bad times and the only way we’re going to get out of this current situation is by working together.”