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Title:

DON’T PANIC – The Geek’s Guide to the Next Big Crisis

Your vote:
Yes No
Organizer:
Ed Schipul, Schipul - The Web Marketing Company
Description:
Shit happens. The question is are you and the people you care about prepared? Our panelists will share their crisis stories and tell you how to be ready, both online and offline. PFIF, Yammer, Facebook and iPhones – the technology and strategy is there and getting better, so let’s take it to the next level.
Questions
Answered:
  1. How does emergency response and communication relate to the Web? Do developers and small business owners really need to care about Crisis Communication?
  2. How can our emergency teams (fire, ambulance, police, etc.) benefit from standardized data sharing? What can I do about it?
  3. What does the rise of Mobile Web mean for the next natural disaster or other catastrophe?
  4. What tools (Web, mobile and otherwise) are out there right now that my family, friends and company should be using now?
  5. As a geek, what are 5 things you should do TODAY to keep your family safe and your business running when disaster strikes?
  6. If practice makes perfect, what kind of drills and regular training should your business be doing right now that won't break the bank or kill your billable hours?
  7. What are some of the technical lessons we learned from Hurricane Katrina?
  8. Tech and communication stories and lessons from Virginia Tech, Hurricane Ike and beyond...
  9. What is a crisis to you and how do you strategically and technologically deal with it internally and for the rest of the world to see?
  10. How can you best identify your strongest and most reliable communicators and rock stars during times of crisis? How do you deal with employees that book it and vendors that disappear?
Level:
Intermediate
Category:
Accessibility / Web Standards, Community / Online Community, Government and Technology, Search, Social Issues
Type:
Panel
Event:
Interactive 2010
Rachel Mercer
on 17/8/09
I had the opportunity to work with Ed directly regarding a recent Houston-based Tech event, and I have to say that their innovations using social media tools and technologies make Schipul really stand out as a company.

I'm sure there are also plenty of first-hand accounts to be shared here regarding Hurricane Ike. I certainly hope to see this panel at SXSWi, it is incredibly relevant to the future that we face.

Rachel Mercer
Organizer and Lead Designer, ROFLCon
www.roflcon.org
Katie Laird
on 27/8/09
I think this topic is beyond important to businesses, entrepreneurs, employees, geeks and everyone in between.

Emergency and disaster preparedness goes far beyond freaking out and watching the Weather Channel 24-7 during hurricane season or being glued to CNN during a crisis, what matters is planning, planning and (more) planning for families and businesses alike.

I look forward to the case studies and actionable items -- no more freaking out in WalMart aisles. I need / want / must have the skinny. This will be a great presentation!

Maggie McDonald
on 30/8/09
The Firestorm guys absolutely amaze me and I'm really really excited about this panel.

I think people wait to develop a crises communication plan until it is WAY too late and this panel would benefit those people!!
Jason McElweenie
on 31/8/09
This is going to be a great panel, if you think you are prepared wait till you see this panel
Ed Schipul
on 31/8/09
Rachel, Katie, Maggie and Jason - thanks for the kind words!

Our confirmed panelists so far include Harry Rhulen of www.firestorm.com!
Kim Hodgson
on 31/8/09
There are so little people and business prepared for a crisis. This topic for a panel is so awesome and completely needed. There is so much we don't know about being prepared in a crisis. Thanks for submitting this panel.
Jonti Bolles
on 31/8/09
We have seen how people act and react in crisis with the advent of technology such as the twittering of Wildfires in California or even elections in the Middle East. This is not old school crisis communications.

Knowledge is power and understanding how communications and real-time information can impact lives is important if not always fun to think about. Knowing how to harness and best use for both your families and businesses can make the difference in surviving tough times.
Adele Tiblier
on 31/8/09
Great panel! Count me in and there...I'll be front row, and probably quite a few of the NOLA crew with me. See you at SX!
Harry Rhulen
on 31/8/09
Crisis Communications in the new media world that we live in is essential to protect the brand, the employees, the customers and the reputation of any company. Ed Schipul is right on target recognizing that the technologies that are available today create both opportunities and vulnerabilities that all business owners need to be aware of. I look forward to participating in this event.
Nancy Prager
on 31/8/09
Very impressed that you bought ads on FB...
Malignant Mesothelioma
on 31/8/09
"Very impressed that you bought ads on FB..."

Seriously? Lame.
Ed Schipul
on 31/8/09
@Harry - Thanks for your comment!

@Nancy - well, I admit, I am pretty passionate about crisis communication!

@Malig-nant-mesothel-oima - really? Keyword stuffing SXSW panel voting for trial lawyers? You complete dork. How do you sleep at night?

SXSW - need a "mark as spam" on the comments. Which plays into the role of social media in crisis communication. Spam is part (unfortunately) of the system. Hence twitter can't be relied on as a sole provider of communication. This is WHY we need to talk about this topic!
Diana Pizzari
on 1/9/09
I listened to Ed and his panel present "Pimp my Nonprofit" at SXSW in 2007, where the panelists were passionate, articulate and engaging. This type of unique community-based panel was sorely missing in 2008. SXSW needs panel like "DON’T PANIC – The Geek’s Guide to the Next Big Crisis"- a forum that addresses how technology can best serve communities, rather than the other way around. Vote for Ed's panel - it will be the most thought provoking hour you spend at the festival in 2009.
Sharon Dotson
on 1/9/09
Slow learner, but grateful nonetheless - never heard about this great conference until last year - then the news was everywhere. Am going to do my best to attend and hear Ed's remarks on crisis PR and its practical applications in the New World of communications.
Diana Pizzari
on 1/9/09
Sorry, the years above should be 2008, 2009 and 2010... Doesn't seem to be a way to edit a previous post...
Gerry McGreevy
on 1/9/09
Having experienced hurricane IKE and several other major crises that left myself and everyone else out of touch, I would say this is a HUGELY important topic, both at a personal level and business level. (To bad we can't make it mandatory for life). Ed is an excellent speaker, and rumor has it he will be giving out free beer (is that true?). I definitely will be there!
Ed Schipul
on 1/9/09
@Diana - thanks for the kind words! And ya, the sxsw promotion vs the years always trips me up too!

@sharon - you are a great example of a PR professional who has 'moved with the cheese' and kept up with social media. Thanks for the comments!

@Gerry - I said nothing about free beer that I can recall. Heh. And we did sip champagne on stage at my panel in 2007. Perhaps the tie-in is that beer and plywood are two of the items with sales spikes right before a hurricane hits? Hmmmm. #beer=good
Angie Bauer
on 1/9/09
Knowing how to most effectively handle emergency situations with today's technology is something every person should know. This panel will be very informative, looking forward to it!!
Angie Bauer
on 1/9/09
Knowing how to most effectively handle emergency situations with today's technology is something every person should know. This panel will be very informative, looking forward to it!!
Christine Portillo
on 1/9/09
If Eagle Scout Ed has something to say about safety, prick up an ear: He delivers the goods! A Houston denizen, health & safety advocate, and survivor of Allison, Katrina, Rita, and Ike (not to mention the Gallic Edouard!) myself, I'm all ears for Edward & panel's watertight take on emergency preparedness and response incorporating the latest communication technologies and media. (An aside: My first follower on @Christinglish was @TrackingIke, a group of Austin American-Statesman reporters!) Ed gets my vote.
Dan Keeney
on 1/9/09
Ed is an excellent aggregator of information from disparate sources that seem on the surface to lack any common thread, but upon closer examination are neatly connected and intertwined. As a person who specializes in helping organizations survive and benefit from difficulties, I am looking forward to Ed's discussion and expect that I will immediately be able to implement what I learn. Disclosure: Ed and I have a business relationship. I am a client of his and he is a client of mine.
Adam Seaman
on 1/9/09
This is an excellent panel. I work in "ES, DR and SAR" and have had for a good portion of my life, and communications is a top priority for both the responder and the victim.

The organization I'm with operates 95% of it's communications through the web, mobile devices, laptops, ect... utilizing 3G, 4G, WiFi, SatCom, ect... and in a time of crisis we also have the means to communicate via "old school" UHF-FM, VHF-FM, HF-FM, ect... as well as our primary means, but not all ES/DR/SAR services utilize these means, nor do your ordinary everyday people.

Not every person is able to afford a SARSAT system, but the majority can afford a cell phone or a mobile device.

This certainly gets my vote.

Eve Simon
on 1/9/09
Ed is a dynamic speaker and knows his stuff. I believe that his "Pimp My Non Profit" panel at sxsw 2 years ago was the catalyst for the flood of non profit panel ideas and sxsw participants last year and this upcoming. Don't miss this!
Ed Schipul
on 2/9/09
Just confirmed David Sacks on the panel as well. David is the founder and CEO of Yammer.com and Geni.com. Yammer in particular is extremely helpful in crisis communication. Thanks for joining us David!
Meredith Kahan
on 2/9/09
As we are bombarded with "breaking news" through the media, both traditional and social, we have to be able to distinguish the facts from the rumours. Ed is a trmendous speaker with not only a grasp of the technology, but also the reliability rating of the most pervasive technologies available.
Ginger Brusa
on 2/9/09
Everything you learn in the first 24 hours is usually wrong. Ed is great at disciphering what is real news and what is not. Ed's media platform will be both entertaining and informative.
Kerry Coxworth
on 3/9/09
Crisis communication is vital to the welfare of the public.
Ted Hansen
on 3/9/09
It is important to remember that while technology can speed up and expand the reach of your message, if it is the wrong one or the wrong information, your situation is only made more dire. Harry understands how critical it is to get it right and the impact of what happens when it is wrong. I look forward to the panel.
Melissa Foteh
on 4/9/09
This is an incredibly beneficial topic and will be a great panel. Looking forward to seeing it at SXSW 2010 !
Jenny Qian
on 4/9/09
This panel will be very valuable for business and individuals to get prepared for disasters and emergencies.
Courtney Pemberton
on 4/9/09
I can honestly say, I did not have a clue as to what I would do in a crisis until I started to work for Ed. He is great at making security and crisis management the number one priority for not only his employees, but for the families of his employees.

Ed is an excellent speaker who I know will provide thought provoking stories, real life situations, and is sure to give you a good laugh here & there! Firestorm teamed up with Ed Schipul is a MUST HAVE panel at SXSW!
Fayza Elmostehi
on 4/9/09
No one does safety like Ed Schipul. As his employee, I can verify this as a bona fide fact.
Mike Johnston
on 4/9/09
Ed Schipul is a role model for internet leaders, business owners and people that Do Good! He is a must-have for SXSW.
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Developed for SXSW by Lindsey Simon