When disaster strikes, being prepared can help communities minimize its impact. Since 1992, the Manitoba Disaster Management Conference has provided valuable information sessions, keynote speakers and hands-on workshops. This year’s event is taking places Jan. 28–30 at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Polo Park in Winnipeg.
Shelley Napier, Manitoba Disaster Management Conference chair
“There is such a need for disaster management education,” said conference chair Shelley Napier. “Manitoba has strict guidelines in place to keep residents safe, and there is so much to learn through shared practices.”
More than 20 speakers from across Canada will be featured, including RM of Lac du Bonnet Reeve Loren Schinkel, who will discuss lessons learned from the 2025 wildfires; Brock Happychuk, who will provide an overview of the national public alerting system in Manitoba; and Tyler Smith, a Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy survivor and mental health advocate.
Manitoba is home to the longest-running and largest disaster management conference in the country — a title Napier carries with pride.
“It’s Manitoba — we are an amazing province with a lot of knowledge to share,” she said.
The conference is expected to draw more than 400 delegates from across the emergency management sector, including coordinators, government officials, business owners and first responders.
“This conference is perfect for anyone whose life has been touched by emergency disasters,” Napier said.
She added she is especially excited to announce that the first group of students from the Manitoba Association of Municipal Emergency Coordinators will graduate as certified emergency coordinators during Wednesday’s dinner celebration.
Napier said the conference board continually seeks impactful speakers whose insights reflect the past, present and future of emergency management.
“We look at what has happened in the world, what we can learn, and how to ensure every session delivers key takeaways,” she said. “There’s a topic for everyone, carefully selected based on current events.”
The conference opens with Schinkel presenting leadership lessons from the recent wildfires. He will share his experience navigating the crisis and offer tips on preparing for similar events.
“Manitoba wildfires touched every corner of our province,” Napier said. “Whether it was an actual fire in your community or helping evacuees, there are lessons for everyone involved.”
In addition to keynote presentations and breakout sessions, participants can choose from four half-day, hands-on workshops designed to actively engage attendees with industry experts.
Napier said the sessions offer more than classroom-style learning, providing direct, practical experience to help participants respond effectively if disaster strikes.
Feedback from previous conferences has been “overwhelmingly positive,” she said, noting many attendees return year after year.
“There’s such high energy in the room,” Napier said. “You can form partnerships, exchange ideas and expand your outreach. Just attending the conference enhances your ability to connect with others.”
