National disaster
recovery and reconstruction experts headline the first National Disaster
Reconstruction Expo’s conference program, which launches June 17-18,
2009 at the Morial New Orleans Convention Center. The NDRExpo was developed to
unite the numerous vertical markets associated with disaster preparation,
response, recovery and rebuilding.
National disaster
recovery and reconstruction experts headline the first National Disaster
Reconstruction Expo’s (NDRExpo) conference program, which launches June 17-18,
2009 at the Morial New Orleans Convention Center. The NDRExpo was developed to
unite the numerous vertical markets associated with disaster preparation,
response, recovery and rebuilding. The conference program reflects this
diversity with a robust line-up of industry experts.
“Our conference agenda reflects the level of knowledge and expertise that we
are dedicated to providing our participants,” said Jimmy Mouton, president of
Imago Trade Shows, the producer of the NDRExpo. “NDRExpo is the only trade show
offering such valuable information to the professionals of this industry.”
Keynote Address
FEMA’s Assistant Administrator of Mitigation is scheduled to provide the
NDRExpo’s keynote address. As part of the agency’s National Mitigation Directorate,
the Administrator manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and
programs designed to reduce future natural disaster-related losses. The keynote
address will focus on how, through the National Mitigation Directorate, FEMA
seeks to break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repeated
damage.
General Sessions
AidMatrix Foundation’s President and CEO, and former Wisconsin Governor, Scott
McCallum is scheduled to lead Wednesday’s General Session. AidMatrix Foundation
is a nonprofit that uses advanced information technology to create efficiencies
between donors and those in need, managing $1.5 billion annually with
operations in six continents to 35,000 nonprofits. Recently employing systems
for flooding in India and Honduras and fires in California, the AidMatrix
Disaster Relief Network covers 75% of the U.S. population though FEMA, in
addition to its global reach.
General Session speakers scheduled for Thursday include Col. Alvin B. “Al” Lee,
the New Orleans District’s 60th commander and district engineer, and the
Restoration Industry Association’s (RIA) Executive Director, Don Manger and
Development Adviser & Facilitator, G. Pete Consigli, CR, WLS.
Lee’s session will explore his experience in the New Orleans District’s
jurisdiction which includes 2,800 miles of navigable waterways, 1,300 miles of
levees and floodwalls, eleven navigation locks, six major flood control
structures, and other projects to create and protect coastal wetlands.
Having ushered the Restoration Industry Association through recent
transformations, Manger and Consigli will share their experiences and RIA’s
role within the industry. RIA is a professional association comprising more
than 1,300 member organizations, representing over 20,000 cleaning and
restoration professionals.
A full conference schedule and additional information can be found at
www.NDRExpo.com. Conference papers may be submitted until Jan. 31, 2009.