Ӣ Pre-formulate your responses to particular scenarios. You can develop messaging content and response parameters ahead of time by pre-populating alert scenarios. You will still need to update these strategies in the event of an emergency, but having a framework in place will ease both internal and external communication during riots, protests, or unexpected road closures during the G20.

”¢ Overestimate your needs. Have communication and response strategies in place for every possible situation, so that if anything does happen you know that you’re prepared. It’s hard to be over prepared during an event such as the G20 Summit.

”¢ Leverage partner resources. Work with other organizations in your area or industry to ensure a more comprehensive response to disasters. If something goes wrong during the G20, the chances are that it will not only affect your organization. Work with other companies and government agencies to secure alternate workspaces and share critical information. You’ll streamline your emergency response process and increase your efficiency by a significant degree.

Ӣ Prepare for a crowd in downtown Toronto. The G20 Summit is bringing together leaders and economic advisers from around the world. With them, we can expect a number of organizations to stage demonstrations or protests in response. In the week leading up to the conference, avoid unnecessary meetings, travel, and visits to the heart of the conference areas. If your offices are located in downtown Toronto, increase security from June 21-27, and make sure that the outside of your building is cleared of garbage and debris that can be set on fire or thrown during a possible political protest.

Ӣ Test your plans! Run a test of your business continuity plan before the G20 to make sure that you, your employees, and all other stakeholders know how to respond when an actually crisis strikes.

No company wants to find a story about itself above the fold in the newspaper for its failure to efficiently manage and communicate with its staff during G20. To protect both their reputations and their employees, organizations operating in Toronto and adjacent geographies should work in lockstep with federal and local officials to make sure that they are aware of road closures, delays, and other security measures that are put into effect for the Summit weekend. It is critical that organizations maintain open and effective communication lines with employees, clients, partner organizations, and local officials. And most importantly, it is critical that all of these strategies are implemented in the long term, to maintain their effect even once the G20 dust has cleared.

Tony Schmitz is President and CEO of Send Word Now, a provider of on-demand alerting, response, and incident management services for both routine and emergency communication. Send Word Now’s service is used by government agencies, municipalities, universities, non-profit organizations and businesses. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it