AzEM Annual Conference attendees in large room

2026 AzEM Annual Conference

August 31 – September 2, 2026

Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas 

Scottsdale, Arizona

  • 1 Day = $200
  • 2.5 Days = $400
  • 1 Day = $300
  • 2.5 Days = $500

Hotel Block Rates: $113 on 8/31/2026 $160 on 9/1/26 and 9/2/26

Agenda:

  • Monday, 8/31, 8AM-5PM. Networking social 5PM-7PM.
  • Tuesday, 9/1, 8AM-4PM.
  • Wednesday, 9/2, 8AM-11:30AM.

2026 Agenda

Welcome to the official agenda* for the 2026 AzEM Annual Conference — a two and a half day event designed to inspire, inform, and connect professionals in the emergency management community. This year’s program features a diverse lineup of sessions led by subject matter experts from across the state and nation, offering insight into the latest trends, tools, and strategies shaping the future of preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.

Each day is packed with engaging keynote addresses, hands-on breakout sessions, and networking opportunities tailored for practitioners at every level — from local emergency managers to state and tribal partners.

Use the tabs to explore the full agenda* for each day. We look forward to your participation and the conversations that will help move our profession forward.

*Conference schedule is subject to change without notice. Event times, sessions, and speakers may be adjusted as needed to ensure the best possible attendee experience.

Sonora Conference Room

Lessons Learned from the July 4th River Flood Disaster
Jerel Haley, Police Chief – Kerrville Police
Department
Jonathan “Jack” Lamb, Sergeant – Kerrville
Police Department

Sonora Conference Room

State and Local Homeland Defense Integration
Gabriel Lavine, Director – Arizona Division of Emergency Management, Department of Emergency & Military Affairs

World Cup – Sonora Conference Room
Troy Lutrick, ICS Consultants
Robert Campa, Emergency Manager – City of Mesa

Volunteer Management: Hidden Costs When People Work for Free – Kiva I
Brian Hunt, Loss Control Manager – Arizona
County Insurance Pool (ACIP)

Satellite-Based All-Hazards Alerting – Kiva II
Megan Taylor, Warning Coordination
Meteorologist – National Weather Service

2025 Gila County Floods: Lessons from the Front Lines – Sonora
Carl Melford, Emergency Manager – Gila County

Small Modular Reactors, What EM Professionals Need to Know – Kiva I
Richard Turner, Emergency Services Planner
Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management

Accessible Communications – Kiva II
Victoria Bond, Community Outreach Coordinator – Department of Emergency & Military Affairs

September 11, 2001: A First Responder’s Account – Sonora
John Ferry, retired Captain – New York Fire Department; State Liaison Officer, Department of Emergency & Military Affairs

Thriving Through Uncertainty: Reducing Moral Stress, Mitigating Risk, and Strengthening Resilience in Emergency Management – Kiva I
Karen Hurley, SLC and Celebrant – Coaching with a Karen

From Compliance to Capability: Exercises & Readiness – Kiva II Jamie Beauvais, Central Region Manager Arizona Coalition for Healthcare Emergency Response

Sonora Conference Room

Patio

Disaster-Themed Trivia
Roni Fraser, Assistant Professor – Arizona State University

Sonora Conference Room

Overlapping Disasters: Simultaneous Response & Recovery
Eric Queller, Emergency Manager – City of Ruidoso

Dragon Bravo & White Sage Fires: Long Term Recovery – Sonora 
Tim Carter, Emergency Management Director – Coconino County
Ashleigh Makuch, Director of Planning & Preparedness – AC Disaster Consulting

Command Presence: ICS in Law Enforcement – Kiva I
Chance Wnuck, Emergency Management Coordinator – City of Sedona

Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance – Kiva II
Christopher & Autumn Timmins, Co Founders — Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance

Sonora Conference Room

Sonora Conference Room

Community Lifeline-Based EOP Development – Sonora 
Ericka Huston, Emergency Manager – City of Chandler

EOC Operations – Kiva I
Ted Halpin, MPA, CEM, MEP

Mental Health Resources – Kiva II
Brody Field, Health & Safety Officer – Central
Arizona Fire and Medical Authority

Break Glass in Case of Emergency: Alert & Warning Notifications – Sonora 
Ashley Ahlquist, Emergency Manager – Yavapai County

Navigating the New Era of Emergency Management: FEMA Reforms Past, Present, and Future – Kiva I
Elizabeth Zimmerman, Senior Executive Advisor – IEM

Equine Emergency Evacuation (EEE) – Kiva II
Russ Whelan, Development Director – Equine Emergency Evacuation of Yavapai County

Operating in the Dark: Sustained Power Outages & Cascading Effects – Sonora
Kimberlee Battaglia, Emergency
Management Program Manager – Salt River Project
Rachel Porter, Resilience & Emergency Management Consultant – Arizona Public Service

Certified Emergency Managers Exam – Kiva I
Registration 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Exam: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

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  • AzEM Keynote Speaker
  • Opening discussion welcoming attendees from Tribal leadership
  • Carl Melford AzEM Board Member presenting
  • Chuck Kmet, AzEM Board Member
  • Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas
  • Hilton Scottsdale Conference Room
  • Hilton Resort and Villas pool
  • Hotel room for the Hilton Scottsdale
  • Hilton Scottsdale front entrance

Know someone who consistently goes above and beyond? Nominate a colleague, mentor, volunteer, partner, or emerging professional who exemplifies excellence in emergency management.

Award Categories

  • Distinguished Service Award
    • 2025 Award Recipients: Kirsten VanDeventer and Eliza Coll
    • 2024: Katie Turnbow
    • 2023: Carl Melford
  • Emergency Management Professional of the Year
    • 2025 Award Recipient: John Mure
    • 2024: Brian Woodard
    • 2023: Nicole Munson
  • Outstanding Volunteer Award
    • 2025 Award Recipient: Large Animal Shelter and Emergency Readiness (LASER)
    • 2024: MC Medical Reserve Corp
    • 2023: Maricopa County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (MCCOAD)
  • Community Education and Outreach Award
    • 2025 Award Recipient: Ashley Ahlquist
    • 2024: Cymphanie Sherman
    • 2023: Marine Corps Air Station – Yuma
  • Rising Star Award
    • 2025 Award Recipient: Ethan Paul
    • 2024: Alexandria “Daisy” Maese and Joseph Cruz
    • 2023: Sabrina Lehrke

Help us celebrate Arizona’s emergency management leaders by submitting a nomination today.

  • 2025 AzEM Award recipient for Emergency Manager of the Year Award, John Mure
  • 2025 AzEM Award recipient for Community Education and Outreach Award, Ashley Ahlquist
  • 2025 AzEM Award recipients for Distinguished Service Award, Kirsten VanDeventer and Eliza Coll
  • 2025 AzEM Award recipient for Outstanding Volunteer Award, Large Animal Shelter and Emergency Readiness (LASER)

Sponsorship Partners of AzEM’s 2026 Conference

AshBritt logo
Rapid Response Logo
First Net At&T logo
LTS logo
Vision Quest Solutions logo
Ladris logo
Constant Technologies logo
Ready America logo
USA Up Star logo
DLX logo
ICF company logo
Singlewire Software logo
Juvare logo
The Rock-It Company
Level 3 Audiovisual logo
Arizona Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters logo
Hagerty Consulting logo

Sponsorship Partners of AzEM’s 2025 Conference

310 Dust Control

Highlights from AzEM’s 2025 Conference