Smith School of Business to Host DRI International’s Inaugural Collegiate Conference Event

College Park, Md. – February 5, 2015 – DRI International is proud to announce its partnership with the Supply Chain Management Center at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business for the first in its new Collegiate Conference series. This one-day regional event, held April 10, 2015, will bring DRI International certified professionals and other business continuity and resiliency thought leaders together with Smith faculty and students to discuss preparedness issues and provide valuable networking opportunities for students taking their first steps into this growing profession.

To encourage attendance by all certified professionals, the all-inclusive cost of attendance (including meals and materials) will be a minimal donation of $50 to the DRI Foundation, the charitable arm of DRI International. The hope is that this will allow those who cannot afford to attend more costly conferences an opportunity to have access to information and to be able to network with professionals and academics. Admission will be limited, so be sure to register early.

“As part of our continuing focus on engaging the next generation of professionals, DRI has been looking for new ways to reach individuals who are in the early stages of their careers and new entrants into the field,” says DRI President Al Berman. “With the Collegiate Conference series, we’re providing a forum for students to network with experienced professionals in the fields of business continuity, disaster recovery, and risk management. Additionally, we are hoping that this will allow those established practitioners who cannot afford to attend more costly conferences an opportunity to have access to information and networking. Admission will be limited, so be sure to register early.” 

“Understanding how to manage and mitigate risk is a critical skill for business professionals in today’s world,” said Sandor Boyson, research professor and co-director of Smith’s Supply Chain Management Center. “We are pleased to partner with DRI to give our students the opportunity to delve into these important topics and understand the career opportunities available.”

The event will feature program speakers from Smith, DRI International, financial, government, and industry sectors, addressing topics including supply chain, risk management, and current issues in business continuity management. Valuable networking opportunities in this unique environment will be provided throughout the event, which will conclude with a wrap-up panel during which speakers can discuss the questions of the day and allow attendees to pose questions. 

For event details, a list of speakers, and to register, click here. 

About DRI International
Disaster Recovery Institute International is the nonprofit that helps organizations prepare for and recover from disasters. It achieves this through thought leadership, education and accreditation in business continuity and related fields. Founded in 1988, DRI International has 12,000+ certified professionals worldwide. DRI organizes industry events around the globe, offers in-depth training programs, and partners with universities to promote resilience. DRI certifies individuals from 100+ countries and conducts training in 12 languages in 50+ nations. An ANSI-accredited Standards Development Organization, DRI advises governments and international organizations in creating standards and works with the private sector to promote readiness.