Disaster management professionals from around the globe will gather January 17-19, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, for one of the industry’s most substantive and important meetings ever; the International Disaster Conference and Exposition.

Inspired by the growing need for global collaboration among emergency management professionals to deal with catastrophic disasters, the conference will bring together industry professionals from around the world, from both government and private business, from all industry segments. Speakers, exhibitors and attendees will share the latest knowledge, technologies and techniques toward the common goal of minimizing the loss of life and property in future catastrophic events.

In addition to the opportunity to exchange information and share best practices with fellow emergency professionals, attendees will hear from notable speakers, presenters, panelists and special guests, including recognized industry leaders and executives of key industry associations and businesses across the globe. International industry leaders from Canada, the Caribbean, Netherlands, Australia, Europe, China, Japan, Haiti and more, some who have served their nations and localities during some of the most traumatic events of our times, will share their nation’s stories and lessons learned.

IDCE has secured the participation and endorsement of internationally recognized industry associations, agencies and organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, International Association of Emergency Managers, National Emergency Management Association, and more.

 

Attendees will include government and private industry professionals from all industry segments: homeland security, emergency preparation, disaster response and recovery, loss mitigation, business continuity and more.

• International Delegations
• Heads of State
• Emergency Management Officials
• Homeland Security Leadership
• Disaster Preparation, Response, Recovery & Mitigation Specialists
• Subject Matter Experts
• Leading Academia
• Counsel and Advisories
• Private-Sector Leadership
• Business Continuity / Public-Private Partnership Specialists
• Industry professionals who have a voice, want to be heard, and can make a difference

 

Business Travel to the United States – What Type of U.S. Visa Will You Need?

If you are planning business-related travel to the United States on a temporary basis, it’s important to have information about the type of nonimmigrant visa you will need for travel. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts regarding your plans will determine what type of visa is required under immigration law. Since you will be attending IDCE2012, you will most likely need a Business Visitor Visa (B-1). However, please verify your specific Visa requirements with the U.S. Department of State prior to submitting your request.

Business Visitor Visa (B-1) - For business-specific purposes

The chart below is an overview of key groupings of temporary business related travel permitted on business visitor visas (Note: This is not comprehensive. For other travel permitted under a business visitor visa (B-1), reference 9 FAM 41.31)

Purpose of Travel	About Your Temporary Visit
Athlete, professional	Receives no salary or income from a U.S.-based company/entity, other than prize money for participation in a tournament or sporting event. Try-outs for a professional team, but cannot remain in US playing on US team. Athletes or team members who seek to enter the United States as members of a foreign based team in order to compete with another sports team shall be admitted provided: (1) The foreign athlete and the foreign sports team have their principal place of business or activity in a foreign country; (2) The income of the foreign based team and the salary of its players are principally accrued in a foreign country; and (3) The foreign-based sports team is a member of an international sports league or the sporting activities involved have an international dimension.
Business venture, investor seeking investment	Survey potential sites for a business and/or to lease premises in US. Cannot remain in US to manage business.
Conference, meeting, trade show or business event attendee	Will receive no salary or income from a U.S. based company/entity. For scientific, educational, professional or business purposes.
Exposition or trade show employees of foreign exhibitors at international fairs (excludes government representatives)	Will receive no salary or income from a U.S. based company/entity. Will plan, assemble, dismantle, maintain, or be employed in connection with exhibits at international fairs or expositions.
Lecturer or speaker	No salary or income from a U.S. based company/entity, other than expenses incidental to the visit. If honorarium will be received, activities can last no longer than nine days at any single institution or organization; payment must be offered by an institution or organization described in INA 212(q); honorarium is for services conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and visa applicant will not have accepted such payment or expenses from more than five institutions or organizations over the last six months.
Researcher	Independent research, no salary/income from a US based source, or benefit to US institution.
Sales/selling	Exhibition/taking orders/negotiating and signing contracts for products, which must be produced outside the U.S.
Service engineer (Commercial, Industrial)	Engineer(s) install, service or repair commercial or industrial equipment or machinery sold by a non-US company to a U.S. buyer, when specifically required by the purchase contract. Installation cannot include construction work, except for supervision or training of US workers to perform construction.
Training	Participating in a training program that is not designed primarily to provide employment. Will receive no payment or income from a U.S. based company/entity, other than an expense allowance or expense reimbursement related to traveler’s stay.

Next Steps - What You Must Do - If your purpose of planned travel and facts about your visit fits within the description above, the next step is to schedule a visa interview appointment and apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, generally in your country of residence.

How to Apply for a Visa
• Learn more about how to apply for a business visitor visa (B-1).
• Check on visa wait times for an interview appointment.
• Locate an Embassy worldwide - Find out how to pay the visa application fee, make an interview appointment, and learn much more.

Important Note: When applying for a visa, you’ll need to meet all requirements for the visa for which you are applying. The consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for your visa will determine eligibility for a visa, including type of visa required, based on your application, interview, individual facts presented and on U.S. immigration law.

Business Visa Center (for U.S. Companies) – The Department of State Business Visa Center assists businesses located in the United States by providing information about the application process for business visitor visa (B-1) travel to the U.S.

Embassy Business Facilitation (for Companies abroad) - If you or your company are located overseas, U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide have programs to assist businesses. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the visa applicant will be applying is in the best position to provide information about any program they may have to assist businesses in their location. For more information, select Locate a U.S. Embassy.

PLEASE refer to the web site of the US. Department of State regarding Business Travel Visa Requirements as pertaining to Conferences & Tradeshows: US DEPARTMENT OF STATE. You can also download a PDF copy of this information HERE.

To request a "LETTER OF INVITATION" for TRAVEL VISAS, please contact Jenna Evans, IDCE Conference Manager at 404-418-4990, or by email - jennaevans@internationaldisasterconference.com!