Lloydminster is preparing to host the 2026 Bordering on Disaster Conference, a two-day emergency management event scheduled for Oct. 14 and 15.
The City of Lloydminster is planning the conference alongside Cenovus Energy, ATCO and Lakeland College. The event aims to strengthen emergency management across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Western Canada and the territories.
Organizers said the conference creates networking opportunities and brings in speakers to share lessons learned and industry best practices. It also aims to connect academic research with real-world emergency response.
Sessions cover several disciplines, including municipal, industrial, environmental, fire, civil security and emergency social services. A tradeshow runs alongside the sessions, giving commercial, industrial and municipal sectors a chance to connect.
Speakers
Four breakout sessions are scheduled for Oct. 14.
Jackson Heraid returns to the conference after a well-received 2023 session. Heraid has more than 20 years of experience in emergency services, disaster response, crisis intervention and occupational mental health. His session focuses on how systems supporting emergency responders affect whether those responders build resilience or suffer lasting psychological harm.
Nicole Koloff and Bruno Cornejo of Trace Associates will examine whether regional emergency management models fit smaller communities. Cornejo has 23 years of experience in emergency management and risk assessment. Koloff has 13 years of experience helping organizations strengthen preparedness and operational resilience.
Tim Wise will discuss how municipal and industrial responders can work together during high-risk incidents near industrial facilities.
Alex Post, emergency management specialist with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, will present a wildfire evacuation preparedness guide developed for First Nations. Post supports seven member First Nations in the Treaty 6 area and holds a degree in disaster and emergency management from York University.
Two individuals are travelling to Lloydminster to host keynote sessions on Oct. 15.
Insp. Ryan Smith, who leads a Major Crime Enforcement Unit and previously served with the Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section, will speak about the response to the Lapu-Lapu Festival mass casualty event in Vancouver in April 2025. Eleven people died in that attack. Smith coordinated the investigative and victim management response and will discuss lessons on interagency co-ordination and victim support.
Katherine Guest, a certified emergency manager with more than a decade of experience in crisis management and business continuity, will speak on strengthening communication between emergency management professionals, partner agencies and the public during a crisis.
Tickets and sponsorship
Ticket sales for the 2026 conference are open and close Oct. 7. All prices are subject to additional fees.
Early bird admission costs $250 and is available until Aug. 10. Regular admission costs $300 after that date. Single-day admission for either Oct. 14 or Oct. 15 costs $150.
Group packages are also available. A two-person Wildfire Package costs $575. A five-person Flood Package costs $1,375. A 10-person Tornado Package costs $2,500.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
The conference planning committee is also seeking sponsorship partners and trade show vendors. Organizations interested in sponsoring can contact the City of Lloydminster at emo@lloydminster.ca. Trade show vendors can apply through the city’s website.
ATCO and Cenovus Energy are supporting the 2026 conference.
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