--- title: "Tuesday Buzz: Preparing for Disaster to Strike" id: "36968" type: "post" slug: "tuesday-buzz-preparing-for-disaster-to-strike" published_at: "2017-02-14T21:43:04+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T18:38:59+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/02/14/tuesday-buzz-preparing-for-disaster-to-strike/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/02/14/tuesday-buzz-preparing-for-disaster-to-strike.md" excerpt: "Event professionals need a well-considered emergency plan should a serious crisis occur during a meeting. Also: Don’t count out the benefits of nonprofit mentors." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Disaster Planning" - "emergency preparedness" - "Meetings" - "Safety" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Tuesday Buzz: Preparing for Disaster to Strike Meeting planners strategize for any number of event problems including bad WiFi and no-show caterers. But what they may not account for are true disasters such as cyberattacks, terrorism, flooding, or tornadoes. Sue Pelletier of *MeetingsNet* provides a few ways to [plan for an unexpected catastrophe (opens in a new tab)](http://meetingsnet.com/meetings-fuel/5-ways-disaster-proof-your-meetings) . Be prepared to be on your own, she suggests. Government responders may not be able to reach you in a timely manner, so “meeting managers, venue operators, and suppliers need to have their own plans—and train, train, train so everyone knows exactly who needs to do what, when, and how so they will be able to seamlessly spring into action to protect attendees, staff, exhibitors, and all others who are at your event,” Pelletier reports. Also, before an emergency hits, make sure that everyone’s role on your team is clearly defined. If you’re told to shelter in place, who closes the doors, who calls the police, who communicates with attendees? Know those answers before the meeting starts. In addition, meeting planners should work closely with venues for a complete understanding of their security measures. “Planners should ask their venues to show them their emergency response or action plans, how often they train and test their plans, IT security measures that are in place, any seasonal hazards, the venue’s privacy policy, where people can gather in the case of an emergency, and where egress plans are posted,” writes Pelletier. See more tips on building an emergency plan [at the MeetingsNet website (opens in a new tab)](http://meetingsnet.com/meetings-fuel/5-ways-disaster-proof-your-meetings) . ### Nonprofit Mentors https://twitter.com/socialfish/status/831533649380143104 **A more connected community** is a stronger community. John Haydon at SocialFish reflects on the ways [mentors help grow and strengthen (opens in a new tab)](http://www.socialfish.org/2017/02/value-of-nonprofit-mentors/) the nonprofit sector. Mentors provide an incredible service to nonprofit professionals looking to grow in their careers and to help associations achieve their goals. And mentors benefit from their mentee relationships through network growth and leadership skill development. Haydon bullet points some examples of the mentor relationship, such as those involving grant writers and startup founders. Check out the rest of his post for ways to [find a mentor (opens in a new tab)](http://www.socialfish.org/2017/02/value-of-nonprofit-mentors/) . ### Other Links of Note **Raising money:** Evus Technologies tells us how to launch a [successful crowdfunding campaign (opens in a new tab)](https://www.evus.com/blog/successful-crowdfunding-tips/) . **How digitally mature is your organization?** *CMSWire* contributor Dom Nicastro explains why it’s important to know the [answer to that question (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cmswire.com/digital-experience/why-its-so-important-to-know-your-organizations-digital-maturity) and how to find out. **Amazon’s new meeting software:** According to *Fortune*, Amazon is launching a [cloud-based communication service (opens in a new tab)](http://fortune.com/2017/02/14/amazon-chime-cloud-microsoft-cisco/) that may make voice or video conference calls easier for businesses. **Companies that make a difference:** *Fast Company*details its list of [the most innovative companies of 2017 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2017) . (iStock/Thinkstock) [Raegan Johnson](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Raegan Johnson is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Tags: [#Disaster Planning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/disaster-planning/) [#emergency preparedness](https://associationsnow.com/tag/emergency-preparedness/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) [#Safety](https://associationsnow.com/tag/safety/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [Article4 Steps to Creating a Crisis Management Plan for Association EventsOctober 31, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/31/4-steps-to-creating-a-crisis-management-plan-for-association-events/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Contract: Building Stronger Destination PartnershipsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-contract-building-stronger-destination-partnerships/) - [VideoMelvin Tennant, CAE, President & CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Welcomes You to Great Ideas 2026September 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/02/melvin-tennant-cae-president-ceo-of-meet-minneapolis-welcomes-you-to-great-ideas-2026/) - [VideoASAE TV Daily Recap: Final Day at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/24/asae-tv-daily-recap-final-day-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2017%2F02%2F14%2Ftuesday-buzz-preparing-for-disaster-to-strike%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !