Crisis Control: Mastering the Art of Stakeholder Communication Under Pressure

When crisis strikes, how you communicate can make or break public trust, stakeholder confidence and event continuity. This session explores how destination leaders navigated high-stakes situations — from a terrorist attack in a major city to devastating hurricanes in North Carolina — while ensuring large-scale events moved forward and visitors felt safe.   

Through real-world case studies, you’ll learn how DMOs, public officials and partners aligned messaging, managed uncertainty and maintained confidence among residents, travelers and media.   

Key takeaways include:   

• Enacting proven communication practices during emergency situations  
• Aligning messaging across tourism, public safety and government partners  
• Striking the right balance between speed, transparency and sensitivity  
• Building proactive communication plans before a crisis hits 

Whether you’re responding to immediate threats or preparing for the unexpected, this session will equip you with practical tools to lead calmly, clearly and effectively under pressure.