2026 Conference
UWPD Emergency Management is excited to announce the 2026 Universities of Wisconsin Emergency Management Conference. This year’s conference will be held in person over two days in downtown Madison.
The conference theme is Assistance Centers. A wide range of speakers will present over the course of the two-day conference — you’ll hear from engaging speakers covering topics including planning and establishing an assistance center, Critical Incident Response Team, leveraging mental health services, NGO and volunteer group support, and the Abundant Life Christian School Review, to name a few.
Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown
770 Regent Street
Madison, WI
The cost for the two-day conference is $100/person. Registration closes on June 13, 2026. Your registration and payment must be received before the June 13 deadline.
Limited seats are available.
CONFERENCE DATES
July 14, 2026: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 15, 2026: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration is required. Your registration fee covers all sessions, assorted breakfast items on both mornings, lunch on the first day, and light appetizers during the hospitality hour on the first day.
Registration
Hilton Garden Inn, 2nd Floor Concourse
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Opening
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
8:30 a.m.
- Welcome and Opening Remarks
- General Administrative Matters, UWPD Staff
Presentation: Establishing an Assistance Center
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
Presentation: Leveraging Mental Health and Counseling Services (Panel)
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Presentation: Serving Diverse and Vulnerable Populations
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Lunch
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Presentation: Peer Support
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Presentation: Survivor Discussion
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
2:40 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
Hospitality Hour
Hilton Garden Inn, Garden Grill & Bar
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration
Hilton Garden Inn, 2nd Floor Concourse
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Presentation: NGO and Volunteer Group Support (Panel)
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
Presentation: Abundant Life Christian School Review
Hilton Garden Inn, Bucky Badger Room
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Register Now!
Conference Parking
Free parking is available for conference attendees in the Hilton Garden Inn parking garage.
Hotel guests: a $25/night charge will be added to the hotel guest’s room folio for each vehicle parked in the hotel’s connected parking ramp. For this fee, guests are permitted to leave and re-enter the parking facility without additional charge. Guests who leave their vehicles parked in the hotel parking ramp after check-out will be subject to additional parking fees when departing. Parking charges are subject to change without notice.
Hotel Information
We’ve secured a block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown. We have negotiated a special rate of $138/night. You must book before June 13, 2026 to receive the special negotiated rate before the block expires.
Book your hotel room by calling (608)251-9588 (dial 0 for the front desk) and reference the 2026 Wisconsin Collegiate Conference on Emergency Management, or provide the code 939. Additional information on the hotel can be found at this link Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown. Reservations may also be made online using the booking link:
No deposit is required at the time of booking, and the hotel offers a 24-hour cancellation policy.
What to do in Madison?
The UW-Madison campus and downtown Madison are within short walking distance from the hotel. In Madison, lively city streets meet stunning lakeside beauty. Here, you can savor award-winning restaurants, stroll the iconic farmers’ market, bike scenic trails and enjoy world-class arts and culture. You’re invited to discover the unexpected and share unforgettable moments with the people who matter most.
For details on more options, check out Madison | Places to Visit | Travel Wisconsin and Visitors Guide | Plan Your Trip to Madison, WI.
Register Online
Limited seats are available!
The cost for the two-day conference is $100/person. Registration closes on June 13, 2026.
Your registration and payment must be received before the June 13 deadline.
Questions? Please contact UWPD Emergency Management Specialist Reed Erickson by email or at (608) 893-8850