Leading Through Crisis: Lessons from the Frontlines of Disaster Response

When disaster strikes—whether wildfires, hurricanes, or social unrest—destination organizations must act fast to communicate clearly, protect brand integrity, and lead with empathy. In this high-stakes featured session, hear directly from the teams behind North Carolina and New Orleans' disaster response efforts as they reflect on the realities of:

• Mobilizing internal teams and community partners within hours 
• Navigating national media attention and public sentiment 
• Communicating with compassion while preserving traveler confidence 
• Pivoting content, messaging, and marketing in real-time 
• Rebuilding trust—and visitation—over time 

This session goes beyond theory with firsthand accounts, hard-won lessons, and practical frameworks you can apply in your own preparedness planning.