Governors Hurricane Conference Inc.

Overview

The Governors Hurricane Conference Inc. is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to improving hurricane preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Established in the late 1980s, it has grown to become the nation's largest and best-attended conference on hurricane management.

History

The organization traces its roots back to November 14, 1986, when the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) membership voted to co-sponsor the State Hurricane Conference. This initiative was supported by then Governor Bob Graham and the Eastern Operations Headquarters of the American Red Cross. The first conference, later named the Governor's Hurricane Conference (GHC), was held in 1987. Over the years, it has evolved to include more comprehensive training sessions and workshops.

Mission

The mission of the Governors Hurricane Conference Inc. is to serve as a platform for presenting lessons learned and important information about hurricanes to public and private officials involved in emergency management. It focuses on providing a forum for state and local emergency management officials to exchange ideas, discuss policies, and improve emergency management practices in Florida and beyond.

Activities

The conference offers a wide range of activities including trainings, workshops, and networking events designed for emergency management professionals. These activities are aimed at identifying best practices and learning from past successes and mistakes. The event attracts over 2,000 attendees from local, state, federal, and international levels, along with numerous vendors.

Partnerships and Funding

As a not-for-profit organization, the Governors Hurricane Conference relies on financial contributions from the business community to maintain reasonable registration fees and ensure broad participation. It fosters partnerships between public and private sectors to enhance hurricane preparedness and resilience. The conference is supported by key sponsoring agencies, including the Florida Division of Emergency Management, American Red Cross, Florida Emergency Preparedness Association, and the National Weather Service.

Impact

Celebrating over 30 years of service, the Governors Hurricane Conference has become a pivotal event in the emergency management community. It plays a significant role in enhancing the capacity of attendees to handle hurricane-related challenges effectively, ultimately contributing to safer and more prepared communities.

EIN and Legal Status

The organization has an Employer Identification Number (EIN) of 650533961, reflecting its status as a legally registered nonprofit entity in the United States.