AGENDA
sessions and times are subject to change
Day 01
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
- 9:00 AM EDT
- 9:05 AM EDT
- 9:30 AM EDT
This opening fireside chat will frame the landscape right now and address how we can prepare better, spend smarter, and build more resilient communities.
- 10:00 AM EDT
Envision a future where every small business, no matter its location or industry, is equipped with the essential tools, resources, technology, and support to navigate and thrive through disruptions. This session will unveil groundbreaking national insights into small business preparedness, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation with support from Verizon.
- 10:30 AM EDT
- 11:20 AM EDT
This session will delve into effective risk management strategies for upcoming major events like the FIFA World Cup. Following an insightful presentation, a panel of experts will discuss a comprehensive, whole-community approach to foster seamless multi-agency coordination. The focus will be on ensuring these global events are not only safe and secure but also resilient against potential challenges.
The Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) is a multi-year initiative supporting preparedness for small businesses affected by disasters. Founding sponsor FedEx, along with supporter Fiserv, new partners American Red Cross and Verizon, will discuss the impact of R4R, how small businesses can participate, and how new and existing partnerships can be used to enhance R4R’s reach to the small business community.
- 12:00 PM EDT
This session will showcase insights from cross-sector leaders in a state recognized for its proactive approach to disaster resilience and preparedness.
- 1:15 PM EDT
This session will explore proposed reforms to federal disaster assistance programs designed to strengthen disaster resilience and streamline the transition from emergency response to comprehensive community recovery. It will also examine how one state is creating solutions on a local level.
- 1:30 PM EDT
- 2:05 PM EDT
When disaster strikes, immediate relief is critical, yet the path to rebuilding is often slow and fraught with challenges. This session will explore the key obstacles in managing post-disaster reconstruction efforts and discuss strategies to accelerate recovery while ensuring effective and sustainable rebuilding practices.
- 2:40 PM EDT
Communities affected by disasters often face significant delays in long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts, largely due to a shortage of skilled labor. This session will delve into the critical role of advancing training in skilled trades, highlighting how it can contribute to the construction of storm-resistant housing and foster a more resilient, prepared community.
- 3:15 PM EDT
Artificial intelligence (AI) is swiftly becoming critical infrastructure, joining power, water, communications, and finance as an essential foundation for modern society. This session delves into the implications of communities, businesses, and critical services increasingly depending on AI for continuity. Topics include setting reliability standards, designing fail-safe systems, defining risk ownership, and ensuring sustainable investment. Industry leaders will share insights on managing AI with the same rigor, trust, and resilience Americans demand from traditional lifeline systems.
- 3:50 PM EDT
Experience a dynamic and interactive natural disaster simulation designed to help organizations evaluate their response plans, uncover vulnerabilities, and strengthen resilience. Participants will navigate a realistic natural disaster scenario, working to assess preparedness, implement mitigation strategies, respond effectively, and plan for recovery. Engaging live polls will involve the audience in real-time decision-making, offering valuable insights into the complexities of disaster management and fostering a deeper understanding of effective strategies.
- 4:10 PM EDT
- 5:20 PM EDT
This interactive session will delve into scalable and adaptable strategies designed to enhance the effectiveness of disaster management efforts. Drawing from real-world case studies that integrate preparedness, immediate response, and long-term recovery, speakers will share insights on successful approaches.
- 5:30 PM EDT
- 6:30 PM EDT
Day 02
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
- 9:00 AM EDT
- 9:05 AM EDT
- 9:25 AM EDT
This fireside chat will explore strategies to facilitate, finance, and invest in key industries vital to enhancing our nation's economic security and resilience.
- 9:45 AM EDT
In partnership with The Civic Trust, this session will highlight groundbreaking ideas from America’s youth, focusing on innovative approaches to disaster preparedness and resilience.
- 10:00 AM EDT
This TED-style talk will emphasize the power of everyday decisions paired with strategic policy changes to shape a future where communities grow stronger and more adaptable. Looking forward, it is essential to identify the knowledge and skills required to address emerging challenges and cultivate leaders capable of navigating complexities, driving innovation, and building safer, more sustainable communities on a global scale.
- 10:45 AM EDT
This session will explore strategies to proactively prevent emerging risks and address existing vulnerabilities by embedding comprehensive risk assessment into every stage of planning and design. By adopting a “whole-of-community” approach, we aim to create resilient systems that not only endure but thrive, ensuring long-term sustainability and adaptability for the future.
- 11:00 AM EDT
- 12:30 PM EDT
In this interactive session, participants will use meta-leadership concepts and tools to find opportunities amidst challenges and forge new pathways to readiness and resilience. Participants will discover new capacity and capability despite perceived constraints.
Explore the transformative potential of viewing resilience as a strategic investment that safeguards budgets, strengthens businesses, and fortifies communities. This session will highlight cutting-edge and actionable tools, including coalition building, nature-based solutions, and parametric insurance, designed to shift risk management from a reactive approach to a proactive strategy.
- 1:00 PM EDT
- 3:30 PM EDT
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the built environment stands at a crossroads facing rising disaster costs, aging infrastructure, and severe weather. We’ll visit the renewed American Institute of Architects Global Campus for Architecture & Design to experience how great design shapes a better world, then gather for dialogue on how cutting-edge resilient design and advanced materials can deliver lasting strength and readiness for generations to come.