RIEMA Business Continuity Conference

LINCOLN, RI – (NOVEMBER 8, 2012) The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) Business Preparedness Program in conjunction with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) will be hosting a Business Continuity Conference at the Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln on November 15, 2012, from 8 am- 1 pm.

This free conference is designed for Rhode Island businesses and the purpose of the conference is to educate businesses in order  to improve their disaster preparedness; improve communication between business and industry before, during and after disaster events; rapidly develop sound economic-impact estimates to support decision making and requests for business assistance; coordinate response efforts to assist businesses in their efforts to return to normal operations as quickly as possible; and help coordinate post-disaster economic recovery.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Donna Childs. As a former senior executive of the world’s leading reinsurance company, Childs dealt with major disasters around the world on a daily basis. This experience was critical to her business and her home when lower Manhattan was declared a federal disaster area after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Her small business is one of the companies that illustrates effective preparedness and was profiled in the “Ready for Business” campaign of the Department of Homeland Security. Child’s own insurance claims were paid in full within three days of submission. She shares her insider’s secrets in Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses. She is the founder and CEO of Prisere LLC, a new venture dedicated to building a community of resilient small enterprises. She also consults for the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction. Childs is from Rhode Island and graduated from St. Philomena’s School and St. George’s School.

The Rhode Island Cyber Disruption Team (CDT) will also be presenting on cyber disruptions that can effect critical infrastructure, whether public or private, to ensure continuity of service and the safety of Rhode Islanders. The Rhode Island Cyber Security Initiative works to address gaps in protecting critical infrastructure within Rhode Island from cyber attacks and cyber-terrorism related events. The investigators prevent, protect against, detect, respond to, and assist in the recovery of cyber terrorism related incidents. The initiative also works to assess the risks to Rhode Island’s critical cyber-infrastructure, identifying potential means of cyber-attacks and recommending protective controls for critical information systems.

Finally, Pat Ryan, owner of Ryco Trimming Company & Creative Sewing Center in Lincoln, will share her personal experience of surviving not one, but two disasters.  In 2005, the Blackstone River overflowed and brought 30 inches of water into her building. Five years later, her business was flooded again during the Historic Floods of 2010. Ryan will share tips on how a small business owner can prepare for, survive, and even recover from a disaster.

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) Business Preparedness Program has partnered with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) to host their Business Continuity Conference at the Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln on November 15, 2012, from 8:00 am- 1:00 pm. There has been overwhelming response to this event with a diverse group of businesses registered to attend.

Many businesses have requested that there be sponsorship opportunity available. In response, it has been decided to make available to all interested businesses a chance to become a sponsor of this event. The sponsorship cost is $500. All sponsoring businesses will have a table space to display their product and services.

Make checks payable to:

Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

315 Iron Horse Way Ste. 101

Providence, RI 02908

Attention: Sherri Carrera

Please note that it’s for the November 15 RIEMA/RIEDC event on the check.

To register, please complete and return the attached conference registration form or visit http://www.riema.ri.gov/business/workshops.php. The conference is free; however registration is required.

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