AGENDA
The Higher Education Risk Professionals Symposium 2026
When the Spotlight is On: Risk Rises
Wednesday, June 10 – Guest Arrival & Welcome
- Attendee Arrival & Hotel Check-In
- Registration Opens (Noon – 5 pm)
- Networking Lounge Opens at Westin Houston, Memorial City
Thursday, June 11 – Symposium Day 1: Setting the Stage
7 am - Board the Bus to PVAMU
7:30 - 8:30 am - Registration & Breakfast Networking (on Campus)
8:30 - 9 am - Opening Session
- Welcome from University Leadership
- Overview of the 2026 Symposium Theme and Objectives
9 - 10 am - Keynote Address
“The New Realities of Large-Scale Event Risk in Higher Education”
10:15 - 11:15 am - General Session 1
Collaborating for Safe and Successful Events: Integrating Risk, Law Enforcement, and Student Affairs
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Breakout Sessions (3)
12:30 pm - Adopt-a-Suite Lunch at Panther Stadium
Sponsor Showcase and Friendly Competition for “Best Gameday Suite Experience”
2:30 - 3:15 pm - Panel Discussion
Lessons from the Field – Case Studies on Large Event Risk Management (Featuring campus police, risk management, athletics, and facilities)
3:30 - 4:15 pm - Interactive Session
Scenario Workshop: Responding to the Unexpected
4:30 - 5 pm - Daily Wrap-Up & Announcements
6 - 9 pm - Welcome Reception at Hotel
Hosted by Prairie View A&M University
Light refreshments and networking
Opening remarks and introductions of the planning committee and sponsors
9 pm - Networking Lounge Opens at Westin Houston, Memorial City
Friday, June 12 – Symposium Day 2: Practice & Engagement
7:30 - 8:30 am - Continental Breakfast at Hotel
8:30 - 9:15 am - Morning Keynote
Building Resilience for Campus-Wide Events: From Planning to Recovery
9:30 - 10:30 am - Breakout Sessions (3)
10:45 - 11:45 am - Roundtable Discussions
Topic tables on “lessons learned,” “risk assessment tools,” and “vendor risk.”
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Networking Lunch & Sponsor Spotlight at Hotel
1:45 - 3 pm - Concurrent Sessions (2)
3:15 - 4:15 pm - Interactive Exercise
Simulating a Game Day Emergency Response
4:15 - 4:30 pm - Closing Announcements / Suite Competition Results
Free time or optional dinner gathering for attendees. Options include: Dinner on your own, small-group networking meetups, or a sponsored dinner at Haywire.
Saturday, June 13 – Closing Day & Takeaways
8 - 9 am - Breakfast & Networking at Hotel
9 - 10:15 am - Final Session
Bringing It Home: Action Planning for Your Institution
Break - Grab & go snacks and drinks
10:30 - 11 am - Symposium Wrap-Up & Recognition Ceremony
- Sponsor and volunteer acknowledgments
- Announcement of 2027 host site
Additional sessions may be added if we get the chance to take a field trip.
Optional Add-Ons (TBD)
- Pre-Conference Workshop: Crisis Communication Planning for Campus Events
- Risk Professionals Networking Dinner (Thursday or Saturday evening)
- Vendor Partner Roundtable
