02 June, 2009 | 02:00 PM EST [2:00 PM] | 1 hr

The H1N1 influenza virus outbreak is yet another wake-up call to businesses. Companies must be prepared to deal with unexpected calamities of various sorts, whether bioterrorist attacks, Mumbai-like assaults or deadly infectious diseases. With the urgency of the Level 5 pandemic alert appearing to recede, now is the time for companies to take stock and look ahead. For example, no matter the origin of a potential calamity, how well does your company crisis plan reflect the realities of the public health system within which it would have to function? What are the gaps in corporate crisis and pandemic preparedness planning that only effective collaboration with government can fill? What are the best ways to ensure progress is achieved at this vital intersection while there is still time to improve plans?

This webcast will discuss:

• Looking ahead, what have we learned from the H1N1 outbreak that corporate planners need to pay particular attention to?
• What lessons are applicable not only to a pandemic situation but also to other types of calamities as well?
• What does the experience of public health officials in the nation's largest city have to say about private-public planning problems and solutions?
• Who should companies be in contact in government to ensure that their crisis plans will be workable when the rubber meets the road?

Presenter:

Isaac B. Weisfuse, MD, MPH, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Disease Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Dr. Weisfuse oversees programs that control all infectious disease in New York City, including those caused by bioterrorism. He has oversight responsibility of NYC's Public Health Laboratory and direction of the agency's emergency preparedness activities, served as an agency incident commander for the World Trade Center disaster, and leads the effort in pandemic flu planning.

Moderator:

David J. Vidal, Director of Research, Global Corporate Citizenship, Director, Center for Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability, The Conference Board, Inc.

Who Should Attend:

Senior executives and business professionals charged with leading or contributing to enterprise-wide planning for natural or man-made disasters and crises including pandemics, terrorism and climate-driven disruptions. In addition, individuals identified as critical workers in the event of a public health or similar emergency, and those charged with setting, communicating and implementing company policies under the threat or stress of a calamity.

Please submit any questions to: research.webcasts@conference-board.org.

You or members of your organization can attend from anywhere in the world. All you need is a PC with standard Internet connection and a telephone. Note: registration is for 1 PC link only and is not transferable to other individuals.