Disaster can strike at any moment. Is your business prepared to bounce back from fire, flood or tornado? You may say yes, but today’s reality also includes workplace violence, terrorism, data loss and a host of disastrous business threats.

The vast majority of small- to medium-sized businesses do not survive following a disaster situation. The Business Emergency Planning Association (BEPA) is holding an event with help from Kay W. Wilkins and other contingency specialists to give businesses the resources they need to prepare for disaster.

The Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross would like to invite you and your business to the 5th Annual Business Emergency Planning Association Conference. The conference will take place on November 7 at the Manor House Banquet Center in Mason, Ohio. Registration for the event is $150 for BEPA members and $200 for non-members. You can register at www.cincinnatiredcross.org/BEPA and they will be accepted through November 2.

The lunchtime keynote speaker is Kay W. Wilkins, CEO for the Southeastern Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross. In 2005, Wilkins and her chapter faced one of the greatest natural disasters in recent history, Hurricane Katrina. With help from national agencies her chapter launched the largest disaster relief effort in U.S. history. Today, Wilkins continues to lead Southeastern Louisiana toward recovery and restoration. She will be on hand to give an account of her experiences and to share lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina.

 

Topics covered during the conference include:

·        Contingency Planning

·        How to build a disaster kit

·        Facing data security and identity theft

·        Communication strategies following a disaster

·        Communicating with the media

·        Utilizing firewalls and network security

·        Exercising your disaster plan

 

            The Business Emergency Planning Association is a group of businesses, organizations and business continuity and disaster planning specialists dedicated to ensuring that your company will continue operations at maximum possible efficiency following a disaster event. November’s conference is just one of the many services provided by BEPA. The organization also holds regular workshops covering important emergency planning topics, provides recovery and continuity vendor resources and offers mentoring opportunities with experienced continuity professionals and access to the latest and most effective recovery planning techniques.

            The 5^th Annual BEPA Conference is an important event for business owners to insure the continuing strength of their company. To learn more visit www.cincinnatiredcross.org/BEPA or call (513) 579-3000.