From wildfires, to hurricanes, to supply chain disruptions, today’s retailers face growing pressure to be prepared—not just for business continuity, but for their essential role in supporting communities during and after a disaster. When disaster strikes, retailers are often among the first to respond—keeping doors open, employees safe, and essential supplies flowing. But planning for the unexpected takes more than just good intentions—it takes experience, coordination, and a solid plan.
Join us on Thursday, July 17th at 2 p.m. Eastern Time for “Disaster Readiness in Retail: Protecting People, Providing for Community,” a 90-minute webinar focused on how retailers are strengthening preparedness plans, safeguarding their operations, and prioritizing the wellbeing of their employees—all while keeping shelves stocked with food, water, emergency supplies, and building materials when communities need them most.
We’ll kick things off with two emergency management pros who’ve seen it all—fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and more. With decades of field experience, they’ll share what really happens when disaster hits, what businesses often overlook, and how to build a plan that actually works when it’s go time.
Then, we’ll shift into a practical discussion with a panel of retail and supply chain leaders. They’ll talk through lessons learned from recent disasters, what’s worked (and what hasn’t), and how they’re protecting their people, products, and operations before and after a crisis.
Get real-world insight and innovative approaches to:
- Creating realistic disaster plans and knowing when to activate them
- Protecting your workforce and supporting employee needs before, during, and after a crisis
- Navigating supply chain vulnerabilities and maintaining access to critical goods
- Collaborating with emergency services, vendors, and the communities you serve
- Supporting your community when they need you most
Whether you’re in a high-risk area or just want to strengthen your response strategy, this session will leave you better prepared to face the unexpected.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable strategies, learn from peers, and ensure your business is not only protected, but ready to lead when it matters most.
Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation that could make all the difference tomorrow. Register Today!
Our Panelists
Ed Minyard is a resiliency/information technology professional with over forty years of experience in designing, implementing, and managing diverse technology environments and advising clients on adapting strategies to handle constantly changing disaster resiliency and crisis management requirements. He is the founder, former president, and current interim chief information security officer of ResponseForce1, LLC (RF1), a crisis and emergency management company, which provides a full range of services from emergency response planning through crisis response. Ed also served as a senior executive at Accenture, responsible for business development for cyber security, business continuity, and infrastructure transformation while providing consulting and advisory services. He was also formerly with Unisys Corporation, where he was responsible for overseeing the delivery of emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery services.
Dr. Robert A. Christensen is chief of training, exercises, and development and a State Emergency Operations Center manager for New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management, overseeing all-hazards training, exercises, and development throughout the state. He has also served as the SEOC’s operations chief for eight years. Dr. Christensen is a Certified Public Manager, Lean Process Improvement Black Belt, and a college professor instructing on leadership topics at the graduate level.
Elizabeth Robinson is senior vice president of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA), playing a central role in advancing the retail community’s collective voice—guiding strategy, public policy, member engagement, and meaningful association programs. Elizabeth oversees emergency management response efforts for retail members as well as the Carolinas Organized Retail Crime Alliance and other association activities. The founding of the Carolinas Organized Retail Crime Alliance (CORCA) reflects her collaborative spirit, uniting retailers and law enforcement agencies across the region to combat organized retail crime. Elizabeth was named a Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and was elected by her peers to serve as president of the North Carolina Professional Lobbyists Association, where she continues to contribute as a board member. She is also a former president of the Young Lobbyists Association, where she supported the next generation of leaders in the profession.
Alex Corbin is the manager of emergency management at Meijer where he focuses on driving the achievement of asset protection goals for the crisis management, business continuity, and threat management programs. With more than ten years in retail, security, and operations, Alex is best known for the development, implementation, and exercise of corporate safety and security strategies, including the oversight of emergency communications, early risk identification, and emergency response.
Additional Panelists to be announced soon.
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