President’s Message

As I sit here and type this message, the 24-hour news coverage of the horrific tragedy in Japan continues to unfold minute by minute. Not only have the Japanese people had to endure a destructive earthquake, but the continued aftershocks, tsunami damage and now the nuclear meltdown that ensues make me absolutely sick for them.

However, in trying to digest this tragedy and hearing how we in the U.S. are vulnerable to a major disaster such as an earthquake in California, it made me think . . . what sort of disaster plans do I have in place for my events? What sort of disaster planning does my employer have in place for its employees? Do I know what my city and state's emergency plans are should some sort of natural disaster hit the Midwest?

We have an inherent sense of being invincible, but the recent events in Japan are a stark reminder that this is certainly not the case. With as much as we travel to various parts of the country, do we really have ample plans in place should something go wrong at our event?

This question prompted me to research some best practices for my events. Here are seven things to consider to be prepared for a crisis:

• Be proactive and plan for obvious issues that can arise.
• Take preventative measures. Plan for the unthinkable.
• Onsite security is always a good idea.
• Check your company and venue's insurance coverage and make sure your event complies.
• Keep list of key contacts for your event handy at all times.
• Always be prepared—pre-event and onsite.
• Know when you need support, it's okay to ask for help!

Warmest regards,
Michelle Lizak, CMP
michelle.a.lizak@gmail.com