AGENDA
Day 01
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
- 10:00 AM EDT
- 10:10 AM EDT
- 11:00 AM EDT
Join us as we confront the critical challenges of today’s world, where trust and strong partnerships are more vital than ever in the face of escalating disasters and extreme events. This panel will explore how cultivating trust can lead to more effective response – and stronger communities.
- 11:20 AM EDT
- 12:15 PM EDT
Every year, natural disasters cause hundreds of billions of dollars in damage and the cost is rising. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tracks natural disasters with significant economic impacts. In 2023 alone, there were 25 disasters that caused at least $1 billion in losses. This panel will address the private sector’s response and what business and government can do together to adapt to the growing risk, as the number of billion-dollar disasters increases.
- 12:30 PM EDT
- 1:45 PM EDT
The increasing number and severity of disasters affect all industries – each striving to adapt to marketplace realities and mitigate risks to their operations and communities. How can industries work together to ensure we encourage and reward investments in adaptation and resilience? This discussion will explore the current state of insurance, and innovations that reduce disaster impacts and control disaster costs for companies and communities.
As crises grow in frequency and scale, businesses are becoming more calibrated in how they invest in their partnerships, programs, and communities. As cross-sector collaboration becomes more important, organizations must assess the prepositioning of supplies, as well as the engagement of potential partners across the globe to build capacity, unify response, and assess options for community-based recovery.
Small businesses are under pressure to compete. They are also grappling with a combination of limited resources, lack of knowledge on how to be resilient, and conflicting priorities that may prevent them from preparing for disasters. In this session, we’ll gain insights from the latest research and dive deeper into how to support America’s more than 30 million small businesses.
- 2:00 PM EDT
- 2:40 PM EDT
In a disaster or crisis, the communications sector is a lifeline, connecting affected communities with emergency services, enabling coordinated response efforts, and facilitating community recovery. This panel will assemble experts to share the unique challenges and opportunities in maintaining robust communication infrastructure and related services before, during, and after disasters.
- 2:55 PM EDT
- 3:10 PM EDT
- 3:25 PM EDT
Learn about the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s new program, Secure Our World, which offers simple ways to protect yourself and your business from online threats.
- 3:55 PM EDT
The August 2023 wildfires in Maui devastated the island and will be remembered for generations to come. This panel will highlight the recovery and rebuilding efforts that will fortify Lahaina and other parts of Maui that have been ravaged by the wildfires.
- 4:10 PM EDT
- 4:25 PM EDT
Small businesses are a major driver of innovation, job creation, and economic growth in the U.S. Yet, they are highly vulnerable to disruptive events, such as natural disasters, market, and economic changes, with limited resources to build, grow and recover, especially in times of crisis. This conversation will delve into why backing small business owners, their growth, resilience, and recovery are crucial to create thriving global economies and communities.
- 4:30 PM EDT
- 5:45 PM EDT
Day 02
Thursday, May 16, 2024
- 9:00 AM EDT
- 9:05 AM EDT
- 9:20 AM EDT
- 10:05 AM EDT
Community resilience is determined by how well available resources are used to respond, withstand, and recover from crises. Panelists will share how they are leveraging their strengths to build resilience in their communities and the lessons learned.
- 10:17 AM EDT
Building a future where disasters don’t disproportionately impact vulnerable populations begins with understanding how they are affected. Disasters often magnify existing disparities, yet they also uncover surprising resilience, providing valuable lessons for other communities.
- 10:30 AM EDT
- 10:45 AM EDT
- 11:30 AM EDT
This year, a staggering 300 million people across the globe will require urgent humanitarian assistance. These needs arise from a complex interplay of conflicts, natural disasters, emergencies, and other critical circumstances. Strengthening private sector humanitarian response is essential for effectively meeting these challenges and grasping the opportunity to help others when needed most.
- 11:40 AM EDT
- 12:20 PM EDT
- 12:30 PM EDT
- 1:45 PM EDT
Misinformation and disinformation have become significant challenges during recent disasters, contributing to decreased trust in institutions and each other in crisis. According to the World Economic Forum 2024 Global Risks Report, “misinformation and disinformation are the biggest short-term risks, as foreign and domestic actors alike will leverage them to further widen societal and political divides.” This off-the-record working session will explore how trust can play a role in addressing this threat.
The Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZ) Act amended the Stafford Act in 2022 to strengthen communities most at risk for natural hazards and climate change FEMA announced the first 483 CDRZ designations. The most vulnerable populations and communities can leverage this investment to mitigate community disaster risk. This is an opportunity to discuss how the program has progressed, what challenges remain ahead, and the best methods for cross-sector collaboration.
This executive roundtable will explore the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in fostering resilience across sectors and borders. We will discuss the urgent need for effective voluntary frameworks that harness the full potential of public-private partnerships to mitigate vulnerabilities. We will examine how large enterprises and multinationals operating globally can collaborate with government officials to ensure the continuity of essential services and resources during crises.
- 2:10 PM EDT
- 2:15 PM EDT
- 3:00 PM EDT
From geopolitical tensions to increasing natural disasters, speakers will discuss how collaborative efforts can enhance agility, resilience, and sustainability in global supply chains. Participants will gain insights into new collaboration models, innovative technologies, and emerging practices for building resilient and adaptive supply chains.
- 3:20 PM EDT
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) is a multi-year initiative to empower small business owners to proactively mitigate the risks posed by disasters. This session will highlight small businesses that have invested in readiness and resilience as essential business practices through this innovative program.
- 3:55 PM EDT
Leave the conference with takeaways and tools for moving forward.
- 4:00 PM EDT
- 5:30 PM EDT
Day 03
Friday, May 17, 2024
- 9:05 AM EDT
- 11:30 AM EDT
This scenario-based discussion exercise will simulate real-world challenges and provide an opportunity for public- and private-sector stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and enhance their preparedness and response capabilities in complex emergency situations. The session will address cross-border coordination, identifying and addressing humanitarian needs, stabilizing commercial and humanitarian supply chains, and ensuring a consistent flow of information to the public.
- 11:55 AM EDT