Tickets available now!

Join us at the Pullman Brisbane King George Square between 27-29 May, 2026 for the only conference dedicated to Australia’s Emergency Management Communicators.

EMPA Australia is the meeting of the voices of emergency management in Australia.

Effective public information and connection with communities is critical to building safer and more resilient communities.  The need for constant improvement in warnings, information and engagement is always a major component of Royal commissions and inquiries into natural disasters.

It is critical that we focus on improving the capability and capacity of our public information and communications staff by exposing them to research and experience of their local, interstate and overseas peers.

2026 Conference Program

This year we will be focussing on misinformation and disinformation with speakers touching on this theme throughout Day 1 and 2 and finishing with a workshop with practical tips you can take back to your organisations.

Leading the program is New York Emergency Manager Kelly McKinney who will speak about public warnings and the battle for trust. New Zealand’s Alice Lake-Hammond is also a keynote speaker – talking about the country’s preparation for AF8 (Alpine Fault magnitude 8) which has the potential for devastating consequences, both in her country and for many thousands of Australian tourists.

Queensland Reconstruction CEO, Major General Jake Ellwood, will speak about recovery during the recent flooding events, while we will also discuss this season’s Victorian bushfires, the Bondi terrorist attack and SES flooding campaigns.

We will hear from panellists about the use of influencers during emergencies, Queensland Police Service’s Digital Intelligence and Community Engagement (DICE) program and following last year’s success, a panel of social media specialists will give their tips and tricks for engaging socials on your platforms.

Delegates’ highlights and key take-aways from 2025

"Hats off to the committee for an excellent program."

“Enjoyed the conference dinner. As always, the MC did a fab job and made it fun!”

“Ai workshop was a highlight, as were the panel discussions on recent events and experiences.”

“Dinner was so much fun. Ended up attending on my own, but quickly ran into colleagues and had a lovely time.”

"Had a rewarding time spent with a fantastic community of dedicated professionals.”

“Got some great ideas for media during a disaster based on things I’d heard other agencies do.”

“Such a positive reinforcement of current knowledge and practices.”

“Enjoyed hearing everyone’s experience in managing their state’s response to TC Alfred.”

“Thanks to the committee, I felt this year’s program was enhanced and well thought through.”

"Different offering of topics and discussions via panels and linking experience with improvements were highlights.”

Register

Delegates can buy tickets online using a credit card or contact conferences@empa.org.au to purchase via an invoice.

Early bird closes on Friday 17 April.

Program

Join us for three days of engaging and insightful presentations and panel discussions from leading emergency communicators.

EMPA Awards

The EMPA awards for 2026 will open on Monday 16 March and close on 30 April.

Venue

Pullman Brisbane King George Square

Corner Ann & Roma Street Brisbane, QLD 4000 AUSTRALIA

Over 140 delegates attended EMPA Australia in 2025. Delegates came from a broad range of emergency services agencies, local and State government, NGOs and industry groups. The EMPA Australia conference has become an important professional development and engagement event for communications specialists within the emergency management community.

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