Special guest panelists from the Armed Forces Chamber of Commerce and from the Nevada Department of Business & Industry will share their insights on COVID’s effects on consumers and small businesses, and possible ways to mitigate those effects, at the next two virtual town halls for small businesses being offered by University of Nevada, Reno Extension.

The English-language town hall is at 9 a.m., Nov. 4, and will feature Andre’ Haynes, founder and CEO of the Armed Forces Chamber of Commerce, along with panelists from the Small Business Administration and Extension. The Armed Forces Chamber is a nonprofit organization that helps armed forces members or former members succeed in business. In less than four years, it has acquired 1,860 members and provided $2.5 million in member-funded loans. Haynes will discuss the Chamber’s work and services, as well as provide insights on the effects of COVID-19 on businesses over the past six months, and what the organization’s members have been doing in response.

The Spanish-language town hall is at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 18, and will feature Miriam Hickerson, ombudsman of consumer affairs for minorities at the Nevada Department of Business & Industry, as well as panelists from the Small Business Administration and Extension. Hickerson is also founder and CEO of Nevada Consumer Advocates, a consulting w88 casino gamescompany providing services to individuals seeking help with consumer fraud and deceptive trade practice complaints. She will share consumer insights she has gathered during the pandemic, including shifts in consumer education and resolving consumer issues.

“Our guest panelists at these upcoming town halls have been in the trenches the last six months, dealing with our business owners and consumers, and helping them navigate through this unprecedented time that has posed so many unique challenges,” said Buddy Borden, economic development specialist with Extension’s Business Development Program. “They have gained a lot of insight that I think our town hall participants can benefit from as they continue to plow through this challenging year.”

Extension has been offering a series of online town halls and webinars for small businesses, “Coping With COVID-19,” since April. Details on the next town halls include:

w88 casinoPanelists include:

• From the Armed Forces Chamber of Commerce – Andre' Haynes, founder and CEO
• From the Small Business Administration – Saul Ramos, deputy district director
• From Extension – Reyna Mendez and Juan Salas, business development instructors; and Mike Bindrup, research associate 

For Spanish speakers, “Consumer Insights and Issues Amid COVID-19,” is Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 5:30 p.m. Panelists include:

• From the Nevada Department of Business & Industry – Miriam Hickerson, ombudsman of consumer affairs for minorities
• From the Small Business Administration – Alfredo Cedeño, outreach/marketing specialist
• From Extension – Reyna Mendez and Juan Salas, business development instructors; and Mike Bindrup, research associate 

The town halls usually run about an hour. To register:

• w88 casino games loginThe 9 a.m., Nov. 4, English-language town hall.
• The 5:30 p.m., Nov. 18, Spanish-language town hall.

For more information, go to the Extension Business Development Program website. There are also other resources at the website to assist businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, email Borden.