Coming to Florence, SC

April 19th-22nd, 2026!

Early Bird registration open now

introducing this year’s theme “Blue & Green Minds”

Resilience & Community Planning sessions at this year’s SC Resilience Conference will bring the Blue and Green Minds theme to life by showing how intentional planning strengthens both natural systems and community wellbeing. Local leaders such as Juliana Zadik and Molly Caggiano will speak on how Beaufort and Charleston Counties are embedding resilience into long-range planning, land use, and everyday decision-making. Sessions featuring Beth Lewis and Andrea Moreno will explore how watershed planning and wetland protections in Bluffton are guiding sustainable growth while reducing flood risk. Multidisciplinary teams from McAdams, including Daniel Weibke and Rebecca Stubbs, will present on how green infrastructure, and greenway planning transform public spaces into resilient, people-centered community assets. Together, these sessions will offer practical strategies, inspiring case studies, and new perspectives on how centering resilience-focused blue and green systems in planning can help build healthier, more connected, and more resilient communities—and more is yet to come!
Environmental & Ecological Conservation sessions at this year’s SC Resilience Conference will explore how sustainable practices and conservation strategies protect natural systems and strengthen communities. Keynote speaker Tom Mullikin, Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, will open the conversation on statewide conservation priorities and sustainable resource management. Amber Kuehn will present on preserving critical habitats on Hilton Head Island, while Susan Lunt and Patricia Whitener will demonstrate sustainable outdoor practices that enhance environmental health across South Carolina. Martin Hamilton will discuss how plant selection and conservation planning contribute to resilient, thriving ecosystems. Together, these sessions will offer practical strategies, inspiring examples, and innovative approaches to advancing sustainability and conserving South Carolina’s natural resources—and there is much more to discover.
Health, Innovation & Sustainability Practices sessions at this year’s SC Resilience Conference will explore how innovative strategies in health, wellness, and sustainability support resilient communities. Keynote and featured sessions will include Dr. Susan Johnson, Founder of Nature at Work, who will present data-driven insights on how connecting employees to nature improves performance, focus, and physical wellbeing. Brian Thill will highlight “Blue Mind” programs from the SC Aquarium, Jana Davis will discuss practical nutrition strategies that enhance energy and productivity, and Andy Harris will demonstrate how AI tools can support monitoring and improving individual and community health. Together, these sessions will provide practical tools, inspiring innovations, and actionable strategies to integrate health, sustainability, and resilience—and there is much more to discover.

2026 conference sessions

At the SC Resilience Conference, you can expect to…

Learn

Our carefully curated lineup of experts from fields like healthcare, engineering, government, and many more will deliver sessions on a wide variety of topics dealing with resilience in every aspect of life. With breakout sessions diving into niche topics and keynote addresses covering conservation, health, and community resilience, you will leave with actionable insights on how to build resilience in your life, workplace, and community.

Connect

The SC Resilience Conference brings together movers and shakers from diverse backgrounds and fields. The format of the conference is carefully designed to facilitate true networking and connection throughout the day; we offer pre-conference networking through our mobile app, content-specific learning tracks to help you meet others interested in the same topics, and laid-back evening events with a relaxed environment perfect for starting conversations and sharing ideas.

unwind

We believe deeply in the message of “Healthy people, healthy places”. That’s why we are offering morning yoga sessions each day before the conference for attendees to center themselves before heading to the conference center, healthy food and drink options throughout the day, and a “Relaxation Station” with aromatherapy and calming design. We also have optional pre-conference tours available for attendees to learn more about Florence and the great resilience work being done here in SC.

Explore This Year’s Tracks

Conservation Track

Health & Wellness Track

Community Hazard Resilience Track

AI in Resilience Track

Our region's natural landscapes are more than scenic backdrops — they’re vital to our ecological, cultural, and economic resilience. This track explores innovative conservation practices that sustain biodiversity, protect water quality, and preserve working lands while preparing communities for a changing climate. Join leaders in land management, environmental stewardship, and sustainable tourism as they share strategies that balance growth with preservation and highlight how protecting our natural resources protects us all.

Healthy people build healthy communities. This track focuses on the intersection of nature, health, and human well-being — from workplace wellness initiatives and outdoor recreation to public health design and the “green exercise” movement. Hear from experts and innovators who are reimagining how access to nature, active living, and mental health strategies contribute to resilience at every level — individual, corporate, and community-wide.

This track focuses on practical strategies that increase the ability of communities, economies, and ecosystems within South Carolina to anticipate, absorb, recover, and thrive when presented with environmental change and natural hazards. Join state and local leaders in disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, and long-term resilience planning to explore how strengthening disaster resilience protects lives, supports livelihoods, and ensures the lasting strength and vitality of our region.

This track explores how artificial intelligence can strengthen resilience across systems, communities, and organizations in the face of disruption. Sessions will highlight how AI is being used to anticipate risk, respond to crises, and accelerate recovery—from climate adaptation and disaster response to infrastructure reliability, public health, and economic stability. Attendees will engage with real-world case studies, emerging tools, and ethical considerations, gaining practical insights into building smarter, more adaptive, and more resilient futures with AI.

Listen Today

Hear the Voices of SC Res Con ‘26

We’re bringing you the leaders and innovators shaping resilience for our communities, environment, and economy—straight to your ears—on our new Blue and Green Minds podcast. Get inspired and connected with this year’s theme, “Blue and Green Minds,” as we highlight the people driving resilience across South Carolina. Stay tuned for a new episode reveal every other Thursday—so you never miss a conversation that sparks ideas, fuels collaborations, and keeps you at the heart of the action. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio!