Florida Natural Disaster and Journalism Summit

When a natural disasters strike, lives depend on accurate, trusted information. We need to strengthen our information systems to meet the moment. This first-ever statewide convening is designed to help journalists, emergency responders, nonprofits, and funders work together to close critical information gaps before, during, and after natural disasters in our state.

Participants will collaborate across roles that rarely have structured opportunities to problem solve together, with a focus on practical tools and partnerships you can bring back to your newsroom, agency, or community organization.

The summit begins with an evening reception on Feb. 2 and concludes in the early afternoon on Feb. 4.

Floridians working at the intersection of communication, community engagement, and disaster preparedness, such as:

• Journalists and newsroom leaders (we encourage representation from outlets of all mediums, sizes, and languages to attend)
• Emergency responders and public safety officials
• Nonprofit leaders serving vulnerable communities
• Philanthropic leaders investing in community resilience

A mix of panels, workshops, and presentations touching on the following themes:

• How hurricane behavior is changing and how that affects how we communicate and plan for them
• How misinformation spreads during natural disasters and what we can do to interrupt that cycle
• How to form stronger cross-sector partnerships to ensure comprehensive coverage and reach when disasters strike your community
• How to work with “Emergency Mode for News” and other resource providers to expand the services you provide for your community
• How community-based organizations and emergency managers can collaborate with media outlets to meet residents’ multilingual and last-mile information needs

On Day 1 we'll focus on setting the stage for how natural disasters unfold today and how we need to respond. On Day 2 we'll move into sessions that build topical expertise and share tools and techniques you can take home with you.

We will share additional programming details in early December.

• Scenario planning for rapidly changing disasters
• Frameworks for cross-sector coordination
• Techniques for hearing and serving residents' information needs before, during, and after disasters
• Trust-building tactics that work when credibility is challenged
• Approaches for strengthening communication pipelines among media, emergency response, nonprofits, and funders

Registration is free, but limited to 100 participants. Secure your spot today.

Presented by Press Forward South Florida, Press Forward Tampa Bay, and the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

Hotel options

We recommend the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center or the A.C. Hotel, but there are many additional options nearby.

Questions?

ContaEmail us at [email protected].

Info: Evening reception to build statewide and cross-sector relationships

Info: Expert panels and workshops that ground us in how natural-disaster information responses need to evolve to meet today’s needs — including scenario planning, systems coordination, community information needs, and trust-building strategies

Info: Workshops, presentations, and UF lab tours that help participants deepen their subject matter expertise and develop skills they can bring back to their organization

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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