Columbus Live Forward Pledge

The Live Forward pledge is a commitment signed by Event Marketing Strategies and Central Ohio businesses to assure customers and guests that we are following federal, state and local health and safety guidelines for proper reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As an active Experience Columbus partner, we are thrilled to be part of the Live Forward Pledge.

This page details the information shared with our employees as well as the community on our business plans to open safely and the precautions we will be taking to keep our customers and associates safe during these unprecedented times.

The Live Forward Pledge Promise

Signing the pledge signals an agreement made by businesses to follow federal, state, and local health and safety guidelines for proper reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once signed, businesses will receive a window decal as well as a customizable signage toolkit to alert patrons of their commitment to the Live Forward Pledge. As more pledge partners sign up, the window decal and website badge will become a visual symbol of businesses who have made the health and safety of their customers and associates a priority.

View the current businesses that have signed the Live Forward Pledge:

Businesses that sign the pledge have agreed to adhere to these guidelines:

F

Following, enforcing and adhering to the health and safety guidelines for our organization’s staff and customers that are outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ohio Department of Health and relevant industry associations/governing bodies including:

• Cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces throughout the day
• Implementing health checks on employees daily (can be self assessments)
• Mandating that employees who have any signs of illness stay home
• Immediately reporting employee or customer infections to enable contact tracing

W

Requiring that employees wear protective gear, such as face masks and gloves, and clearly communicating requirements regarding customers wearing facial coverings.

D

Implementing and enforcing social distancing practices within our establishment, such as decreased maximum capacity, floor markers and appointment scheduling if possible.

MAY 4, 2020: SLOW PARTIAL REOPENING PLAN ANNOUNCEMENT

After further discussions about returning to the office we are pleased to announced our plan to slow return to the office below.

Event Marketing Strategies plans to begin a return to the office starting Monday, June 1^st with any changes, modifications or specifications outlined by May 22^nd including staggered times and/or number of days to be in the office.

Please read this document from the State of Ohio with regard to a Responsible Restart Ohio for the General Office Environment.

EMS specific restart guidelines:

• No in person client meetings to be held at the office beyond the full-time EMS team for the foreseeable future.
• Team meetings of more than two people hosted as much as possible in the open area (couches).
• Clean desk with proper sanitizing wipes and/or cleaner your first day back in the office.
• At the end of each day, wipe down your desk and all high touch surface areas with proper sanitizing wipes and/or cleaner.
• Wash hands with soap and water at least three times per day with an emphasis on prior to eating.
• You must carry a mask with you and wear your mask if you are up and walking around the office and/or in near proximity to anyone whether EMS or in general at Smith Bros Hardware building.
• Maintain 6’ social distancing at all times.
• Be overly cautious when touching high-touch objects (copier, printer, door handles, faucet handles, light switches, phones, etc.) for your safety and the safety of others.
• Conduct daily self-health assessments, if you do not feel well, stay home.

EMS will place hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes at each employee’s desk plus, outside and inside of the front door to the office. In addition, we are working to secure disposable gloves as well for use around and about the office.

Lastly, any employee that prefers to work from home should simply notify their manager in advance of doing so at any point in time.

MAY 26, 2020: CONFIRMATION OF PARTIAL REOPENING PLAN

As a follow-up to the note below, we will start edging into a partial work in the office schedule starting June 1^st so we can be ‘together,’ while still socially distanced for our Monday morning team meeting.

This upcoming Monday plan to be in the office from approximately 9am-12pm.

In addition, you’re certainly welcome to come in earlier or stay later any days of the week.

Please continue to refer to the initial email below regarding necessary precautions while at the office regarding cleaning, sanitizing and masks.

JUNE 22, 2020: REVISIT OF PLAN AND CONFIRMATION OF CONTINUED WORK FROM HOME DUE TO SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES THROUGHOUT OHIO

While the office is fully equipped to adhere to the CDC guidelines of 6’+ distancing and gloves, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, cleaning solutions and paper towels are at each desk, we have decided to continue a strict work from home policy until further notice due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases throughout Ohio, and particularly central Ohio.

Employees are still welcome to visit the office and work in the office at their leisure, ensuring masks are worn outside of the Event Marketing Strategies office space (common areas such as the kitchen, restrooms, lobby, staircases and elevators). A plan to return to the office will be announced, at a later date, when we believe it is safe to return. Leadership will continue to monitor local public health, state public health and national CDC guidelines to ensure employees feel safe and welcomed.