27 & 28 July 2026 Gold Coast – Qld
The Next Chapter in Emergency Management: Adapting, Learning, Leading
Register for the 2026 Disaster & Emergency Management Conference.
The Disaster & Emergency Management Conference brings 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 DEMC26 we’re asking the BIG questions…
How do we advance professionalisation, leadership and integration?
How do we harness technology and innovation?
How do we champion workforce wellbeing and resilience?
How do we shift our practices based on lessons from Polynesia, Melanesia and Asia-Pacific?
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THE MISSION
Adapt – Learn – Lead
- 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.
- Does this sound like you?
- Is DEMC for me?
- What will I gain from attending DEMC?
- The fun stuff
Here’s a snapshot of delegates you can connect with at DEMC
DEMC brings together professionals across the Disaster and Emergency sector, Government, specifically D & E frontline workers, teams and community. 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
- 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….
- Digital Transformation and Technology in Action
Exploring innovations in early warning systems, cyber resilience, data sharing and trust, and the role of digital transformation in planning and response. - Hazards on the Horizon: Emerging Threats for ANZ.
This includes multi-hazard preparedness, scenario planning, and insights from national risk and adaptation assessments, alongside considerations of terrorism and civil unrest. - Regional and International Perspectives
Including lessons from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Asia-Pacific, cross-border hazard challenges, virtual engagement with international experts, and opportunities for shared learning. - Building and Sustaining the Emergency Management Workforce
Examining pathways between academia and practice, professional standards, leadership pipelines, workforce wellbeing, and the evolving role of volunteers.
- Access to all keynote presentations
- Access to the concurrent sessions you choose at the conference
- 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 every day
Get ready to enjoy:
- A fun welcome drinks the night before the conference
- An exclusive networking function with drinks, canapes and entertainment
- A 5-star catering package for the entire conference with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- The chance to win awesome prizes
- Chillout mindfulness zones
- An invitation to the first ever DEMC Dinner (at an extra charge)
- An excursion to the state-of-the-art $24M Disaster and Emergency Management Centre. (at an extra charge)
Program Overview
| Sunday, 26 July |
| 12:30pm | Pre-Conference Tour – Group One |
| 2:30pm | Pre-Conference Tour – Group Two |
| 4:00pm | Registration Opens Collect your name badge and join us for a Welcome Drink! |
| Monday, 26 July |
| 7:30am | Registration & exhibition opens Come in early and grab a coffee on us |
| 8:30am | Conference opens |
| 5:00pm | Sessions finish for day one |
| 5:00pm | Networking in the Exhibition |
| 6:30pm | Official DEMC26 Conference Dinner |
| Tuesday, 27 July |
| 8:00am | Registration & exhibition opens |
| 8:30am | Conference opens |
| 4:45pm | Conference closing session |
You can’t find the information shared at DEMC anywhere else. And it is not being recorded or live streamed. To completely immerse yourself in this sector, this learning and this experience you can join us in person on the Gold Coast.
What we’ll cover at DEMC26
The Next Chapter in Emergency Management: Adapting, Learning, Leading
1. Lessons Identified to Lasting Change
Turning lessons identified into lasting change requires robust frameworks, systems, and a culture of continuous improvement. This stream explores how practice, policy, and training can embed learning effectively while overcoming barriers such as resources, politics, and organisational culture.
2. Building and Sustaining the Emergency Management Workforce
Emergency management relies on a skilled, resilient, and future-ready workforce. This theme examines pathways between academia and practice, professional standards, leadership pipelines, workforce wellbeing, and the importance, and evolving roles of volunteers.
3. Community Resilience, Preparedness and Recovery
Communities are equal partners in building resilience and recovery. Topics include volunteer engagement, inclusive recovery for diverse populations, embedding resilience in practice and policy, and fostering trust through effective crisis communication.
4. Politics, Governance and Whole-of-System Coordination
Strong governance and coordination are central to effective emergency management. This theme considers navigating the political interface, strengthening interagency collaboration, aligning funding and priorities, and balancing operational needs with political realities.
5. Hazards on the Horizon: Emerging Threats for Australasia and the Pacific
The risk landscape is evolving, with hazards ranging from climate-driven wildfires to lithium-ion battery fires, pandemics, and regional conflict. This stream addresses multi-hazard preparedness, scenario planning, and insights from national risk and adaptation assessments, alongside considerations of terrorism and civil unrest.
6. Climate Change, Indigenous Knowledge, and Nature-Based Solutions
Responding to climate change should include drawing on Indigenous land and water management, as well as innovative nature-based solutions. This theme explores how adaptation and disaster risk reduction intersect, highlighting partnerships with First Nations communities and examples of success and challenge.
7. Digital Transformation and Technology in Action
Technology is reshaping emergency management through AI, predictive analytics, and digital twins. This stream explores innovations in early warning systems, cyber resilience, data sharing and trust, and the role of digital transformation in planning and response.
8. Business Continuity, Infrastructure and Systems Resilience
Disasters test the resilience of infrastructure, supply chains, and business continuity systems. This theme focuses on private sector partnerships, critical infrastructure protection, interdependencies, and aligning business continuity with emergency management.
9. Human Impacts: Mental Health, Wellbeing and Recovery
Emergencies can leave deep human impacts for responders and communities. This stream examines responder mental health, community trauma and recovery models, moral injury, and cross-sector partnerships to embed psychosocial recovery in disaster planning.
10. Regional and International Perspectives
Disaster management is strengthened by global and regional collaboration. This theme explores lessons identified from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Asia-Pacific, cross-border hazard challenges, virtual engagement with international experts, and opportunities for shared learning.
The DEMC Conference Committee
Dr Brett Henderson CESM MAIES
National Director & President NSW/ACT/International Division, Australasian Institute of Emergency Services
Grantley Marcus
Chief Inspector, Bundaberg Patrol Group, Wide Bay Burnett District, North Coast Region, Queensland Police Service
Collin Sivalingum
National Director – Emergencies & Disaster Response, Red Cross Australia
Registration Options
Accommodation is an additional cost and can be booked during registration. For more information, see accommodation details.
$ 1,249 + GST
In-Person Rate
Save $300 with Early Bird. Ends 12/06/2026.
- 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!
$ 1,375 + GST
In-Person All Inclusive Package
Save $300 with Early Bird. Ends 12/06/2026.
- Pre-Conference tour
- Conference dinner
- 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!
$ 4,596 + GST
In-Person Group of Four (4 pax)
Save $1,600 with Early Bird. Ends 12/06/2026.
- 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 5 or more?
Fill in this form to receive a personal call from our team with your best possible rate.
What People are Sayiing
TESTIMONIALS
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.
The keynote speakers were amazing. The presenters that i went to were really informative and I have gained a lot of knowledge.
Venue & Accommodation:
The Star Casino, Gold Coast
Accommodation Rates
Accommodation is an additional cost and can be booked during registration.
The Star Grand (per night & ex GST inclusive)
| Room Only | $279 |
| Room + Breakfast for One | $304 |
| Room + Breakfast for Two | $329 |
Conference Hosts
Sponsors
Exhibitor
CONTACT US