Name: Exhibitor Showcase, Happy Hour, & Conference Kick-Off
Start: 2026-10-20T17:00:00-0700
End: 2026-10-20T18:30:00-0700

Main Conference: Tuesday October 20 - Thursday, October 22, 2026

Preconference: Monday October 19 - Tuesday, October 20, 2026

*Schedule subject to change.

Exhibitor Showcase, Happy Hour, & Conference Kick-Off

Tuesday October 20, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm PDT

Ballroom

Enjoy this energizing event to kick-start your WRMC experience! Light refreshments provided and cash bar available. Network and learn from over thirty industry and professional partners and meet other attendees before the Opening Session.

And be sure to also check out the Poster Presentations that will be stationed in the Exhibit Hall:

Crisis at Sea: Managing a Partial Sinking and Its Aftermath | Andrew Arter
This case study examines a non-fatal incident within our organization that resulted in the partial sinking of a program vessel. On July 21, 2025, a Sail Caribbean vessel operating off the coast of a Caribbean island struck an underwater rock formation and began taking on water rapidly. Fortunately, no participants were injured; however, the incident resulted in significant property damage and generated substantial public attention on social media. This case study explores how the organization responded to the incident, including how we ensured all participants were able to safely complete their program with minimal disruption. It proceeds in chronological order, outlining the actions taken, the decisions made, and those that were not taken—along with the reasoning behind them. The analysis focuses on key takeaways related to managing social media, coordinating with various stakeholders, and implementing long-term measures to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.

Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) for Rock Climbing Land Managers | Daniel Cassidy
Join Mohonk Preserve, home of "The Gunks," Chief Ranger for a presentation breaking down and detailing their first of its kind climbing specific Preventative Search and Rescue program. The Mohonk Preserve has been partnering with the folks from Accidents in North American Climbing and their research associates to develop a multi-faceted, evidence based program to help reduce climbing related incidents and accidents in the Shawangunks.

Through the Lookng Glass - how culture inflects messages and expectations around risk management | Blaire Modic
This interactive session supports field-based practitioners working in cross-cultural environments, where risk management must be balanced with diverse cultural perspectives among key collaborators.
This session examines how staff training and risk management protocols are inflected by cultural differences, sometimes leading to misalignment between team members, as well as between field practitioners and central office leadership.

Hofstede’s cultural dimensions provide a theoretical framework. One especially useful dimension is “external control,” or the degree to which members of a cultural group believe outcomes are dictated by forces outside their control.
Participants will examine the nature of these challenges and their potential impact on program effectiveness and compliance with risk management protocols while respecting the inherent value of a culturally diverse team. Through storytelling and practical examples, the session highlights strategies for anticipating and bridging cultural gaps while maintaining the integrity of risk management practices. The session equips participants with tools to foster clearer communication, stronger collaboration, and more culturally sensitive program delivery.

WFR/WFA Patient Assessment en Español | Sergio Juarez
If you are a WFR/WFA already AND speak Spanish at a conversational level, you are invited to come learn/practice the Patient Assessment System in Spanish. We will review the PA vocabulary and some of the most common answers we can expect from our patients.Then, we will have some scenarios to practice. The objective is to help us feel ready to provide help even when there may be a language barrier.

Speakers

Andrew Arter

Director of Sailing, Sail Caribbean

Andrew Arter is the Director of Sailing at Sail Caribbean, a teen summer program where participants live aboard sailing vessels and travel between Caribbean islands. With over 20 years of sailing experience, Andrew combines a strong background in seamanship with an engineering degree... Read More →

Daniel J. Cassidy, SAR Professional

Chief Ranger, Mohonk Preserve

Dan joined the Preserve team as a Seasonal Patrol Ranger back in October of 2017 with a foundation in rock climbing and mountain pursuits. He worked his way up the ranks of the ranger team and in January of 2024 landed in his current role as Chief Ranger. Dan has spent the last 7... Read More →

Sergio Juarez

Director of Students, High Mountain Institute

Sergio is a Mexican outdoor professional (NOLS, AMGA, and DMM Instructor) with a passion for the world of intersectionalities, and a keen advocate for marginalized and underrepresented communities in the outdoors. Sergio is the Director of Students at the High Mountain Institute in... Read More →

Blaire Modic

Director of Education, Global Facilitators

Blaire Modic is a global experiential learning leader specializing in international risk management and program safety. With over 20 years of experience, he has developed and led study abroad programs across Latin America, Europe, and beyond, designing protocols for health, safety... Read More →

Tuesday October 20, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Networking Event, General Session

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2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Andrew Arter

Daniel J. Cassidy, SAR Professional

Sergio Juarez

Blaire Modic

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Success you have shared X tickets.

2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Andrew Arter

Daniel J. Cassidy, SAR Professional

Sergio Juarez

Blaire Modic

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