CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS IS NOW Closed
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Conference Goal |
For information regarding the program, contact:
Adrian Gordon |
2012 WCDM Toronto Call for Presentations
is now Closed
The World Conference on Disaster Management (WCDM) is proud to be the premier annual event for disaster management professionals, providing a global perspective on current issues and concerns in the industry.
The 22nd WCDM will bring delegates from over 40 countries within the fields of Emergency Management, Business Continuity, Emergency Response, Risk Management, IT Disaster Recovery, Disaster Management Research, Emergency Communications, Emergency Health, Security, HR, Environmental, Community Planning, as well as for the organizations which supply and service these professions.
A major goal of the WCDM is to offer a program that challenges delegates by examining traditional concepts and methods, and provides:
New ideas and approaches to problem solving both leading edge and topical presentations opportunities to connect with key individuals and organizations across the disaster management spectrum.
Submission of Abstracts
The WCDM is now calling for presentations for the 22nd WCDM taking place June 25th – 27th, 2012 in Toronto, Canada at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The 2012 Conference theme is: Global Threats....Local Consequences
The program selection committee will give preference to submissions that comply with the Theme and Objectives of the 2012 WCDM.
We will be looking for abstracts that identify global threats (eg – natural disasters, terrorism, cyber attacks, economic meltdown, etc), look at the impact these events have at the local level and then advise our delegates in terms of implementing solutions or developing strategies to mitigate the effects. We are especially looking for immediate 'take-aways' for our practitioner audience. These can be in the form of case studies, proven results or peer validated research and studies.
We will also be looking for abstracts that deal with the impact of the global economic downturn in terms of reduced budgets and support for all aspects of disaster/emergency/crisis planning (mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery) and how practitioners can do more with less or how they can meet their performance objectives differently i.e. thinking out of the box. Success stories of expanded programs and budgets in the face of this adversity are also welcome.
Submitters will be guided through four submission steps:
- Create an Account (if you haven't previously last year - if you have forgotten your log-in you can click on the hyperlink within the returning users to have your password emailed to you)
- Add Speakers (or view the list of "My Speakers" that you already submitted. If you would like to update your speaker details please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Add Presentation Assign Speakers to the Presentation (In the Step 2 of Add Presentation)
- Submit for Review
Submission of abstracts (Deadline December 2nd, 2011)
If you have some knowledge to share and would like to submit an abstract, or know of someone who might be interested in presenting, please visit our web site at http://www.wcdm.org/Toronto/call-for-papers.html to access the Call for Presentations.
A major goal of WCDM is to offer a program that challenges delegates by examining traditional concepts and methods and provides:
- new ideas and approaches to problem solving
- both leading edge and topical presentations
- opportunities to connect with key individuals and organizations across the disaster management spectrum
Note: at this stage presentation descriptions should contain no more than 250 words.
Conference Format: Presentations should fit into one of the following six streams:
- Real Events / Lessons Learned
- Real incidents/events – these should either be recent events (within last 18 months) or draw on lessons learned from past events that can be applied in current planning. Emerging Trends in Disaster Management
- Global Climate Change, Infectious diseases (including flu pandemic), Terrorism, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Community & Organizational Resilience, Nuclear, Biological, Radiological & Chemical threats (NBRC), Enterprise Risk Management, Cyber threats, Use of Social Media etc The Human Element in Disaster Management
- Crisis Communications, Biggest PR Issues within the last year, Violence in the Workplace, HR Policies, Stress Reduction, Trauma Risk Management, Personal Preparedness & Pandemic Planning Technical Issues/Threats
- Cyber & Electronic Data Security, Virtualization and Cloud Computing as related to Disaster Recovery, Emergency Communications, Interoperability, Communication Systems Options, Emergency Management / BCP Software.Disaster Management Principles & Practices
- Emergency Operations Centres, Emergency Site Management, NIMS/ICS, Standards, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery, HAZMAT, Managing the Media, Major Event Contingency Planning, Public Awareness and Education Campaigns, Evacuation Planning, Exercise and Training Programs, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. Innovation
- A new stream to highlight the critical importance of innovation in dealing with the increasing severity (and perhaps frequency) of disasters and emergencies as well as the impact of the global economic crisis - further cuts, sometimes drastic, to budgets and resources for all aspects of disaster management.
Where applicable, presentations should address:
Issues that affect a particular aspect of disaster management Case Studies especially lessons learned AND not learned Innovative Solutions both proven and potential, to the issues faced in any area of Disaster Management and in particular how to meet performance objectives with reduced budgets and resources.
The Program Committee will review all presentations - selection will be based on the following criteria:- Topic & relevance to the conference theme and delegate base
- Focus on future trends and lessons learned (what worked AND what didn't) and recommended solutions to common issues
- Advice to practitioners on how to cope with reduced budgets and resources; not only how to do more with less but how to do things differently
- Concise statement of the benefits of your presentation to attendees (e.g. how will this help them in their work)
- Speaker's expertise, knowledge and ability to challenge delegates
- Presentation experience of speaker
Research findings are welcome, provided the session is aimed at practitioners and balanced with sufficient practical information (i.e. 'here's how this can be applied to .....')
Absence of commercial sales content for services or products
Deadline for Submissions: December 2nd 2011.
All Submissions Must be ON-LINE. Submissions received by E-mail, Fax or Hardcopy will not be accepted
All submitters will be notified by email by January 9, 2012 - Please note that reviewer comments will not be supplied to proposal submitters.
Confirmed speakers will be required to provide the following additional information for inclusion on the conference web site and brochure:
- photo (in jpeg, bmp or tiff format)
Final presentations/papers must be submitted by May 11, 2012 in PowerPoint or MS Word format.
Primary Speakers will be provided with:
- complimentary registration to the full conference, including admission to all sessions, the exhibit area, and sponsored events such as breakfasts and lunches where applicable.
- up to two (2) nights hotel accommodation if traveling by air, or more than 100km, to the conference.
Note: Speakers will be responsible for their own travel costs.
Co-Presenters: Additional presenters over and above the Primary Speaker will be required to pay a nominal fee of CAD$400 and will be responsible for all other costs including travel and accommodation.
Poster Presenters will be required to pay a nominal fee of CAD$400 and will be responsible for all other costs including travel and accommodation.
Speakers will be responsible for all other expenses including travel, non-sponsored meals and miscellaneous charges.