Disaster Forum 2024 will feature pre-conference workshops, keynote speakers, panel discussions, and presentations from leaders in a variety of relevant topics – with a focus on sharing and examining real-life experiences and learnings, practical takeaways, and emerging methods and technologies.
More information about the 2024 agenda will be posted here shortly.
See below for the details of the Disaster Forum 2023 agenda.
Over two full days, beginning at noon on Tuesday, delegates will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with leaders in Emergency Management and business continuity from industry, government and communities across Canada. Conference sessions will focus on practical, solutions-based perspectives and aim to bring to life valuable and applicable lessons-learned. Tailor your own conference experience through the selection of concurrent workshops and presentation sessions that will complement the keynote speakers and a moderated panel discussion. Network with contacts new and old during the welcome reception and dinner and bowling at the Fairmont Banff Springs bowling alley Wednesday evening.
Time
Main Plenary
President’s Hall
Exhibitor Set Up
President’s Hall Foyer
Breakout Session / Workshop
David O’Brien Room
Breakout Session / Workshop
Rob Ritchie Room
12:00 – 19:00
Delegate Registration Opens
13:00 – 17:00
Includes coffee breaks / snacks
Workshop#1
Title: Designing & Running Powerful Exercises (Emergency Response & Business Continuity)
Speaker: Bruno Cornejo, Trace Associates
Workshop#2
Title: Managing Reputational Risk with Effective Communication During a Crisis
Speaker: Kim Blanchette and Vasie Papadolpoulos, Argyle PR
17:30 – 19:30
Opening Welcome Reception (President Foyer)
Meals
Keynotes
Workshops
Sessions
Break - Network
Time
Main Plenary
President’s Hall
Exhibitor Set Up
President’s Hall Foyer
Breakout Session / Workshop
President Hall Main Stage
Breakout Session / Workshop
Theatre
07:30 – 08:45
Hot Breakfast Buffet
08:45 – 09:15
Conference Opening Ceremony & Blessing
09:15 – 10:15
Opening Keynote
Title: The Unspoken Skills of Emergency Management – What People Didn’t Tell Us
Speaker: Tom Sampson, 9Zero Solutions, Former Chief of CEMA and Sue Henry, Chief of CEMA
10:15 – 10:45
Break – Network / Exhibitors
10:45 – 12:00
Panel Discussion
12:00 – 13:00
Hot Lunch Buffet
13:00 – 14:00
Exhibitor / Sponsor Showcase (Main Stage or Foyer)
Concurrent Session 1
Title: Emergency Response Plan Exercises and Coordination with Municipalities
Speaker: Derek Flewell and Jenna Lee Natrasony, Alberta Energy Regulator
Concurrent Session 2
Title: Trends and Insights in Crisis Communications
Speaker: Kim Blanchette, Senior Vice President, Reputation Risk & Corporate Training, Argyle PR
14:00 – 15:00
Exhibitor / Sponsor Showcase (Main Stage or Foyer)
Concurrent Session 3
Title: Identifying Community Stakeholders in Emergency Management
Speaker: Scott Cameron, Emergency Management Logistics Canada Limited
Concurrent Session 4
Title: TBD
Speaker: TBD
15:00 – 15:30
Break – Network (Coffee outside session rooms, third floor)
15:30 – 16:30
Exhibitor / Sponsor Showcase (Main Stage or Foyer)
Concurrent Session 5
Title: The Evolution of Canadian Railway Emergency Preparedness and Response
Speaker: Speaker to be provided by the Railway Association of Canada
Concurrent Session 6
Title: Integrated Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Health & Safety Planning - A Case Study
Co-Speaker: Michelle McAra, Senior Manager, Corporate Services, Canadian Mental Health Association Calgary
Co-Speaker: Peter May, PBiol, CRSP, ABCP, Practice Area Lead Health & Safety, Trace Associates Inc.
16:30 – 18:00
FREE TIME – Break for Delegates
18:00 – 21:30
Let’s Bowl! Dinner & Evening Event at the Fairmont Banff Springs Bowling Alley (Included with registration)
Meals
Keynotes
Workshops
Sessions
Break - Network
Time
Main Plenary
President’s Hall
Exhibitor Set Up
President’s Hall Foyer
Breakout Session / Workshop
President Hall Main Stage
Breakout Session / Workshop
Theatre
07:30 – 08:45
Hot Breakfast Buffet
08:45 – 09:00
Opening Remarks
09:00 – 10:00
Exhibitor / Sponsor Showcase (Main Stage or Foyer)
Concurrent Session 7
Title: Community and Industry - Partners in Emergencies
Co-Speaker: Wade Kroening, Flinthills Resources
Co-Speaker: Blake Moser, MD of Provost; Hardisty Fire Department
Concurrent Session 8
Title: Preparing the next generation of Disaster and Emergency Management practitioners: A paradigm shift of a profession in the making
Speaker: Michael Curtis, The Response Team Inc. and Instructor at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
10:00 – 10:30
Break – Network / Exhibitors
10:30 – 11:30
Exhibitor / Sponsor Showcase (Main Stage or Foyer)
Concurrent Session 9
Title: Becoming cyber-resilient in a complex world: It is attainable and won't break the bank.
Co-Speaker: Michael Barr, Chief Information Officer, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Co-Speaker: Troy Davidson, Chief Information Security Officer, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Concurrent Session 10
Title: “All of Society” Presentation
Speaker: Scott Cameron, President/CEO, bassa Social Innovations Inc.
11:30 – 12:30
Hot Lunch Buffet
12:00 – 13:00
Closing Keynote Speaker
Title: Step Up: Principles of Evolved Leadership for an Age of Crisis
Speaker: John Larsen, Principal, Zero Hour Strategy
13:00 – 13:15
Closing Remarks and Thanks
13:30
Conference Closes
Meals
Keynotes
Workshops
Sessions
Break - Network
Fairmont Banff Springs is located in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The world-famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel stands as a landmark in the picturesque alpine town of Banff, Alberta. Click through for reservation information and directions.
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