2025 Disaster & Emergency Management Conference

14th & 15th July, 2025 Gold Coast – Qld

Adapting to a Changing World: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Disasters Today

The Ultimate Disaster & Emergency Management Conference for Aus & NZ professionals

The Disaster & Emergency Management Conference bring together some of Australia and New Zealand’s most dedicated sector leaders, professionals and service providers in the one place for two big days of learning, listening, strategising and conceptualising the future of the sector.

At DEMC25 we’re asking the BIG questions…

How do we advance professionalisation, leadership and integration?

How do we harness technology and innovation?

How do we introduce inclusive approaches to safety, resilience and ethical excellence?

How do we reduce risk and prepare for complex emergencies?

THE MISSION

An adaptable sector = Safer outcomes

To support multi-sectoral collaboration and create a platform for knowledge sharing, case studies and learning opportunities to advance the outcomes of the D&E sector.
To give professionals access to the latest research, projects, programs and strategies to help meet the diverse needs of the D&E sector.
To share best practices, explore innovative concepts and facilitate meaningful connections to transform interagency collaboration and communication.
To draw lessons from experiences and share applicable insights and innovations for all D&E professionals as we walk into a challenging future.

Here’s a snapshot of delegates you can connect with at DEMC

DEMC brings together professionals across the Emergency Services, Fire, Police, Ambulance, Defence Force, Federal, State and local government, Private sector and climate change agencies, Volunteer services and Indigenous business and Universities. Typically, we see delegates range from:

ADFLO (Defence)
Federal and State Government Heads of Departments, Directors and Coordinators
General Managers and Managers of Emergency Response and Emergency Services
Assistant Directors and Assistant Commissioners
CEOs and business owners and leaders (technology, communication, insurance)
Director, Coordinators and Unit Managers of Disaster Management Teams and offices
Clinical psychologists, mental health or allied health care workers
Area Controllers, Disaster response coordinators
Community Engagement Officers, Recovery Managers and Community Development
Economists, Futurists, Environmental Scientists

Yes! DEMC is for you if you’re looking for honest conversations and actionable strategies around….

Advancing Professionalisation, Leadership and Integration, lessons in Interagency and Cross-Border Collaboration and decision-making tools.
Harnessing Technology and Innovation. This includes Leveraging and Navigating AI and Data, Addressing Space Weather and Nuclear Challenges and Cybersecurity in Disaster Management.
Global and Regional Approaches in Disaster and Emergency Management as well as Supporting Multilingual and New Populations and Adapting Global Best Practices plus more.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness for Complex Emergencies. This could include Practical Preparedness for Large-Scale Evacuations, Supply Chains and Technology-Independent Responses as well as Managing Large-Scale Evacuations and Cascading Crises and Critical Infrastructure Failures with Cybersecurity and Corporate Preparedness.

Strategies – Unity – Transformation

Understand the current research and data around what the sector needs now, and what the immediate future means for you and your peers. Take this information back into your role, your organisation and your community.

Access to all recorded keynote presentations (30 days)
All recorded concurrent presentations (30 days)
Access to conference app
Printed conference materials
Over 10 hours towards CPD points
Your personalised certificate of attendance

This is your chance to connect with your peers, emergency management personnel from state and local governments, frontline workers, NGOs, and other recovery agencies.

Have a break away from your inbox + the fun stuff

Get ready to enjoy:

An exclusive welcome networking function with drinks, canapes and entertainment
A 5-star catering package for the entire conference with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
A special gift for returning delegates
The chance to win awesome prizes
Chillout mindfulness zones
A break away from your every-day to focus on the future of the sector and network building with purpose

Keynote Speakers

Al Lawn

Head of Emergency Management, Selwyn District Council

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Illya Azaroff

FAIA, Principal +lab Architect, Professor, Citytech CUNY

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Kate Brown

Executive Director, Global Island Partnership

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Andrew Crisp AM APM

Interim Chief Executive Officer, Ambulance Victoria

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Tracey Gosling

Regional Vice President - APAC, Dataminr

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Liam Scott

Operational Systems, National Emergency Management Agency Te Rakau Whakamarumaru

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Michael Nolan

Climate Change Risk and Resilience Leader, Aurecon

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Grant Stevens APM LEM

Commissioner of Police, South Australia Police

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Commissioner Donna Adams

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Chief Fire Officer John Cawcutt AFSM

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Join us at DEMC and enjoy a renewed enthusiasm and energy for the sector, the people who make it possible and the teams working on the ground.

What we’ll cover at DEMC25

Adapting to a Changing World: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Disasters Today

Join us at DEMC and enjoy a renewed enthusiasm and energy for the sector, the people who make it possible and the teams working on the ground.

Elevating Business and Infrastructure Resilience for Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
- Resilience in Action: Case Studies and Strategies for Community, Business and Infrastructure Readiness
- Fortifying Critical Infrastructure: Government's Role in Innovative Standards, Resilience and Upgrading Aging Systems
- Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness: Shared Responsibility, Communication and Innovation
- Business Continuity for Partners: Building Stakeholder Resilience
- Innovative Strategies in Prevention and Risk Mitigation: From Land Buybacks to Community-Enterprise Collaborations
- Business Continuity Strategies: Enhancing Organisational Resilience
Strengthening Community-Led and Inclusive Approaches to Safety, Resilience and Ethical Excellence
- Ethical and Inclusive Disaster Management: Championing Indigenous and Diverse Populations
- Community-Driven Resilience: Formal and Informal Initiatives
- Enhancing Disaster Resilience: Engaging Communities, Volunteer and Economic Strategies
- Empowering Local Associations: Balancing Grassroots Initiatives with Large-Scale Systems
- Supporting Diverse Populations: Tourists and Vulnerable Groups in Disaster Efforts
- Navigating Ethical and Legal Complexities: Resource Allocation and Decision-Making
- Innovative Volunteer Engagement: Enhancing Diversity and Impact
- Inclusive Planning for Vulnerable Populations and Animals in Disasters: Addressing Unique Needs
Advancing Professionalisation, Leadership and Integration
- Leadership in Disaster Management: Balancing Styles, Development, and Team Building
- Enhancing Interagency and Cross-Border Collaboration: Lessons from Operational Case Studies and Strengthening Regional Partnerships
- Strengthening Interagency Collaboration: Lessons from Operational Case Studies
- Establishing a Peak Body: Addressing Governance, Advocacy and Sector Fragmentation
- Decision-Making Tools: Supporting Critical Decisions with Proven Methodologies
Harnessing Technology and Innovation
- Cutting-Edge Technologies: Shaping the Future of Disaster Management
- Ensuring Technology Redundancy: Adoption of Common Operating Platforms
- Leveraging and Navigating AI and Data: Enhancing Emergency Management, Opportunities and Risks
- Addressing Space Weather and Nuclear Challenges: Disaster Preparedness
- Cybersecurity in Disaster Management: Protecting Critical Infrastructure
- National Frameworks: Comparing Global Frameworks
Global and Regional Approaches in Disaster and Emergency Management
- Global Insights: Lessons and Strategies for Enhancing International Collaboration
- Indigenous Knowledge: Unique Contributions to Resilience
- Supporting Multilingual and New Populations: Addressing Needs in Crisis
- Cross-Border Collaboration: Strengthening Regional Partnerships
- Adapting Global Best Practices: Local and Regional Contexts in Emergency Management
- Urbanization and Disaster Risk: Strategies for Growing Populations
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness for Complex Emergencies
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Climate Change, Greenfield Development and Biosecurity
- Critical Infrastructure Failures: Cybersecurity and Corporate Preparedness
- Readiness for Complex Events: Managing Large-Scale Evacuations and Cascading Crises
- Practical Preparedness: Large-Scale Evacuations, Supply Chains and Technology-Independent Responses
- Environmental Considerations: Integrating Sustainability in Preparedness
- Using Spontaneous Volunteers: Best Practices and Legal Considerations
Addressing Sector-Specific Challenges and Health and Wellbeing
- Emergency Accommodation and Sheltering Solutions: Post-Disaster Strategies
- Insights from Specialised Sectors: Aviation, Marine Pollution and Logistics
- Managing Supply Chains and Financial Operations: Disaster Response Challenges
- Health and Wellbeing in Crisis: Addressing Aggression, Community Agitation and Emerging Health Crises
- Interpreting the Weather: Tips from Meteorology Experts and Space Experts
- Understanding a changing climate and Nuclear Risks: 2030, 2050 and beyond
Drawing Lessons from Experience: Case Studies, Practical Insights and Innovative Approaches
- Case Studies in Disaster Recovery: Regional and Local Government Success Stories
- Learning from the Past: Embedding Insights and Lessons for Continual Improvement
- Advancing Social and Infrastructure Resilience: Innovations and Strategies
- Creative Approaches to Risk Reduction: Practical Case Studies
- Realities of Response and Recovery: Key Operational Lessons and Experiences from Actual Events
- Private Sector Initiatives: Case Studies in Corporate Disaster Management

The DEMC Conference Committee

Des Hosie

National Operations Advisor at Fire and Emergency New Zealand

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Arden Haar

Senior Consultant, Risk and Resilience

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Collin Sivalingum

National Director – Emergencies & Disaster Response, Red Cross Australia

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Laura Cooper

Assistant Director, National Emergency Management Agency

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Rev. Dr Mark Layson CESM MAIES

Chaplain at NSW Ambulance

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Andrew Coghlan

Head of Emergency Services, Australian Red Cross

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Jenny Calder

Response Specialist, Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group

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Mona Curry

Emergency Manager, Board Member and Consultant

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Kenneth Murphy AFSM

Senior Manager Capability, Operational Capability and Training, NSW State Emergency Service

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Dr Claire Cooper

Director Policy and Planning, Triple Zero Victoria

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Doug Caulfield OAM,RFD,FAIES

Principal Consultant, Emergency Management Network Solutions

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Dr. Emily Chapman

PhD in Civil-Military Interaction in Disaster Zones

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Cheryl Desha

Science and Innovation Director, Natural Hazards Research Australia

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Major Andrew Brooks

Executive Officer, Deployable Health Organisation Joint Support Group, New Zealand Defence Force

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Grantley Marcus

Chief Inspector, Bundaberg Patrol Group, Wide Bay Burnett District, North Coast Region, Queensland Police Service

**Learn More**

$ 1,399 + GST

In-Person Rate

All keynote presentations
All concurrent presentations
Discounted accommodation rates
Access to conference app
5 star conference catering package
Access to exclusive networking functions
Printed conference materials
Over 10 hours towards CPD points
Your personalised certificate of attendance
Exposure for your organisation
Plus, chances to win great prizes!

$ 2,997 + GST

In-Person Group of Three (3 pax)

All keynote presentations
All concurrent presentations
Discounted accommodation rates
Access to conference app
5-startar conference catering package
Access to exclusive networking functions
Printed conference materials
Over 10 hours towards CPD points
Your personalised certificate of attendance
Exposure for your organisation
Plus, chances to win great prizes!

Have a team of 4 or more?

Fill in this form to receive a personal call from our team with your best possible rate.

I loved understanding more about where our organisation and work fits within the broader Qld Disaster Management Arrangements, the speakers were brilliant, and the diversity and networking was terrific!

Fabulous presentations and an amazing networking opportunity for information exchange and support.

It was my first time, so I was thrilled to learn more about the key industry players, have networking opportunities and learn more about the current research and sector developments.

The range of topics and speakers were excellent. I am looking forward to seeing the recordings of the topics I could not get to. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but the content was there to suit different people.

I loved the variety of presentations and the ability to pick and choose over the 2 days.

Access to, and the freedom to engage with disaster and emergency stakeholders throughout the conference was very much appreciated. I also liked the opportunity to speak with vendors offering a wide-range of products and expertise.

Great presentations, a powerful group of people, and great exhibitions.

Huge opportunity to gain perspective way beyond what occurs locally. Have had exposure to DM experiences and events very foreign to what is generally experienced in my geographical location, and from skilled/experienced subject matter experts. Partnerships between government and NGOs are strengthened by involvement/association at this conference, as are understandings of agency capabilities through networking.