IAEM Annual Conference

Guidehouse is a proud sponsor of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Annual Conference.

The IAEM Annual Conference is a leading event for emergency management professionals, offering a range of training sessions and workshops alongside the Emergency Management Expo (EMEX). This multi-day forum brings together experts from government, industry, and academia to share best practices, explore innovative tools and technologies, and collaborate on strategies that strengthen resilience and advance the emergency management mission.

Guidehouse brings experience across all phases of the emergency management, partnering with governments and commercial organizations to transform how they prepare for and respond to disasters. Our proactive, data-driven solutions help organizations anticipate risks, accelerate decision-making and build long-term resilience for the communities they serve.

Guidehouse sessions

Game On: Using Experiental Learning & Gamification to Upskill & Build Your EM Workforce

Wednesday, November 19 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The emergency management mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters is widely supported, but state and local EM organizations still face the challenge of doing more with less while maintaining a capable workforce. Gamification and experiential learning offer cost-effective ways to support recruitment, upskilling, and curriculum reinforcement. These strategies build essential skills across roles, from resource prioritization to disaster response. This session explores tech solutions like virtual reality that combine both approaches to enhance readiness and confidence. VR training allows EM professionals to experience realistic all-hazard scenarios without logistical or safety constraints, helping them develop critical decision-making skills. Drawing on lessons from public and private sectors, including law and medical fields, we’ll show how these methods improve recruitment and workforce preparedness, especially for early-career professionals.

Speakers:

• Patrick Heck, Director, Defense & Security, Guidehouse
• Amy Machovina, Associate Director, Defense & Security, Guidehouse

From Hold Music to Hope: Revolutionizing Contact Centers for Disaster Recovery

Wednesday, November 19 | 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Contact centers are often the first point of interaction for disaster survivors, making them a critical component of recovery efforts. However, outdated processes, long wait times, and inconsistent communication can lead to survivor frustration and eroded trust. This workshop will provide attendees with actionable strategies to modernize contact centers and deliver survivor-centered support. Attendees will explore practical solutions, such as trauma-informed training to improve staff interactions, digital tools to enhance efficiency, and proactive engagement techniques to foster trust. During the session a AI-powered voice agent that processes survivor needs in real time, dynamically mapping requests and connecting callers to critical resources faster will be shown as use case for future technology in this space. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, participants will learn how to improve their contact center components into scalable, resilient, and compassionate contact centers that meet the evolving needs of survivors and staff alike. This session is designed to empower participants with simple, actionable steps they can implement immediately in their own organizations. Whether you’re seeking to improve survivor engagement, streamline operations, or address staff burnout, this session will provide the tools and insights to transform your contact centers into lifelines for disaster recovery.

Speaker: Bruce Roberts, Associate Director, State & Local Government, Guidehouse

Register now

Guidehouse attendees:

• Jeremias Alvarez, Partner, Defense & Security, Guidehouse
• Adam Lucas, Partner, Defense & Security, Guidehouse
• Patrick Heck, Director, Defense & Security, Guidehouse
• Randi Jones, Director, State & Local Government, Guidehouse
• Amy Machovina, Associate Director, Defense & Security, Guidehouse
• Bruce Roberts, Associate Director, State & Local Government, Guidehouse
• Stacey Weinick, Managing Consultant, State & Local Government, Guidehouse