An Adaptable World Environment
Wildfire Recovery and Resilience: Working Across Silos to Drive Solutions
For over six decades, DRI has tirelessly tackled scientific challenges related to global climate. DRI is unwavering in its commitment to continue this intensive research. But fortifying communities against future devastation requires more than science. It demands the collective resolve of communities: agency staff, elected officials, policymakers, first responders, researchers and scientists, industry leaders, environmentalists and residents working together on measures to advance resilience and adaptability. This is where AWE+ comes into play.
2024 Agenda
Program Overview
AWE+ 2024 is the first in a series of annual summits hosted by Desert Research Institute (DRI) and aimed at mapping a pathway to building resilient communities in a climate shifting world. The inaugural event will take place August 21 – 22 in Las Vegas at Encore Las Vegas.
AWE+2024 will focus on the devastating impacts of wildfires and envision a world where communities can prepare for and adapt to wildfire and its effects. The escalating intensity of wildfire events including post-fire debris flows, flooding, smoke, and other consequences, pose acute human threats and societal costs. The program is a call to action for the urgent need to accelerate the transformation toward resiliency.
AWE+2024 differs from other events and conferences in that it is a collaborative forum that offers a variety of platforms in which speakers and delegates can freely discuss tough questions, share ideas, foster critical, creative thinking and form relationships that lead to real-world change.
AWE+2024 will include thought-provoking keynote addresses along with information rich, topic framing discussions led by subject experts that will challenge delegates to confront barriers to change and the silos that need breaking, and inspire continued conversation. Following keynote or discussion sessions, delegates will be challenged to candidly discuss strategies for getting to the “right” types of decision making.
During the event, facilitators will lead delegates in engaging, thought-provoking conversations that take into consideration a diversity of views. Delegates also will be encouraged to socialize widely with other attendees throughout the summit.
The essence of the discussions, arising questions, calls to action and strategies from each session will be memorialized to provide the groundwork for action that will be documented in a repository at Desert Research Institute for public access.
Detailed Agenda
Wednesday, August 21
11:30 am to 1 pm:
Check in and registration
Registration Desk
1 pm to 3:45 pm:
Moving the Needle: What has History Taught Us About Wildfire? Are We Stuck in the Present and Missing the Mark?
Encore Ballroom 5
3:55 pm to 5 pm:
Getting Unstuck: What is the Mark and How are We Missing It?
Encore Ballroom 5
5 pm to 6:30 pm:
Cocktail Reception and DRI Project Experience
Encore Ballroom 4 & 7, Scientific Lounge
6:30 pm to 9 pm:
AWE+ President’s Reception and Dinner
Vivaldi/Encore Ballroom 5 (separate ticketed event)
Thursday, August 22
7:15 am to 8 am:
Breakfast & Networking
Encore Ballroom 1-3
8 am to 8:40 am:
Reducing Loss & Mitigating Risk: Confronting Barriers and Driving Consensus
Encore Ballroom 5
8:45 am to 10 am:
Utilities & Infrastructure: Reducing Loss and Mitigating Risk
Encore Ballroom 5
10: 05 am to 11 am:
Insurance: Growing Risks and Shaping Transformative Policy Decisions
Encore Ballroom 5
11:05 am to 12 pm:
Building Communities to Accelerate Resilience and Recovery: Policy, Alignment, Enforcement
Encore Ballroom 5
12 pm to 1 pm:
Lunch
Encore Ballroom 5
1 pm to 1:45 pm:
Predictive Modeling: How Data, Remote Sensing, and Satellite Imaging Can Improve Community Preparation and Response
Encore Ballroom 5
2 pm to 3:15 pm:
Cohort Challenge
Encore Ballroom 5
3:15 pm to 4:30 pm:
Mapping a Path to Resilience & Recovery: How Can We Be Leaders for Change?
Encore Ballroom 5
4:30 pm:
Closing Remarks & Summit-Wide Networking
Encore Ballroom 5
Thanks to our valued partners and sponsors for supporting AWE+ 2024:
AWE+ is synonymous with SYNERGY
AWE+ will harness the potential of collective energy to drive changes in policies, practices, technologies, and behaviors.
It is an immersive experience where DRI will assemble and convene a carefully curated cross-section of people committed to breaking out of existing paradigms, engaging in candid conversations, and collaborating in new ways.
This diverse delegation will share ideas and knowledge, and take decisive actions aimed at building communities better prepared for the inevitable effects of global climate events.
