Join us Tuesday, September 22, 2026 for the first annual United Disaster Preparedness Symposium at the Higher Ed Center in Abingdon!

Networking Hour 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Programming Block 1 10:00- 12:00 PM
Lunch 12:00- 1:00 PM
Programming Block 2 1:00- 3:00 PM
Voluntary Simulation Lab Tour 3:00 PM

Southwest Virginia is a region that is regularly and increasingly impacted by natural disasters, including severe storms, flooding, winter weather events, and infrastructure disruptions. These events strain local governments, nonprofit systems, first responders, and community-based organizations, often simultaneously and with limited resources.

The United Disaster Preparedness Symposium is designed to proactively address these challenges by bringing together the people and organizations who are most critical before, during, and after disasters occur. Rather than reacting after the next emergency, this symposium focuses on preparedness, coordination, and resilience-building, ensuring that communities are better equipped to respond efficiently and recover more quickly.

By convening regional leaders in one shared space, the symposium strengthens relationships, improves communication pathways, identifies gaps, and promotes a unified approach to disaster planning across sectors.

Invoicing available upon request.

United Disaster Preparedness Symposium 2026