2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

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

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

*Schedule subject to change.

5:00pm PDT

Exhibitor Showcase, Happy Hour, & Conference Kick-Off

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

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

1:00pm PDT

Community Recgonition Award Ceremony

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Ballroom

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Networking Event, General Session

4:45pm PDT

Structured Networking

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm PDT

Ballroom

Join peers for engaging and information conversations, and hear how like-organizations manage similar challenges. Hosted by WRMC Steering Committee members, topics are provided and volunteers facilitate small group discussions. The goal is to provide a venue for conference attendees to connect and network, and share similar challenges and ideas to help improve their programs.

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Networking Event

4:45pm PDT

Keynote Address with Erick Cedeño | The Most Overlooked Expedition in American Outdoor History: Retracing the 1897 Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps Expedition

Thursday October 22, 2026 4:45pm - 6:00pm PDT

Ballroom

This keynote centers on the story of the Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps and examines why one of the most ambitious expeditions in U.S. history remains largely unknown. It explores how narratives of exploration are shaped, who gets remembered, and how that influences participation and belonging in outdoor spaces today. Through retracing this journey, Erick reflects on the role of storytelling in outdoor leadership, the importance of representation, and how revisiting overlooked histories can expand how we think about exploration, risk, and who the outdoors is for.

Speakers

Erick Cedeño

Erick Cedeño was born in Panama City and raised in Miami. He graduated from Bethune-Cookman University. His philosophy is to explore everything. He has set out to do just that but on two wheels. After a bicycle tour from Vancouver to Tijuana, he traveled from Miami Beach to New York... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 4:45pm - 6:00pm PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Networking Event, General Session