TOWN HALL AND LOCKHEED MARTIN CONVENE CONFERENCE ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Los Angeles, CA, Wednesday, January 10, 2007 ? Co-sponsors Town Hall Los Angeles and Lockheed Martin present PREPARE! A Leader's Guide to Security and Emergency Preparedness on January 18, 2007 - at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The one-day conference provides a range of government and non-government expert advice and resources for Town Hall members and the public.

PREPARE occurs in January so companies and organizations can implement disaster response plans during 2007. "The mission of Town Hall is to promote civic participation and awareness by hosting events on issues critical to our region," said Jon Goodman, President of Town Hall. "After recent natural and unnatural disasters, there are lessons to learn ? particularly about business continuity. Participants at PREPARE can ask questions of experts, devise plans based on shared knowledge, and properly equip themselves to avoid oversights that lead to economic devastation."

In 2006, California scored near the bottom of an emergency preparedness and full-readiness report. California met only four of the report's 10 goals for preparedness in the event of a bio-terrorism attack or other public health emergency. In 2005, a separate survey reported that 43% of businesses damaged in a disaster never recover.

"Town Hall Los Angeles has a 70-year history of informing the public, and we are proud to co-sponsor this important event," said Shawn D. James, Vice President of Homeland Security Programs for Lockheed Martin's Maritime Systems and Sensors unit. "Security is a dynamic challenge, and as customers refine their requirements, Lockheed Martin responds by offering mission-critical services and advanced technology solutions that safeguard our nation, protect our citizens, and facilitate the country's economic vitality."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services.

The day begins with morning keynote speaker Dr. Yossi Sheffi, Director of the Center for Transportation and Logistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of The Resilient Enterprise. The two morning panel sessions are "Regional Homeland Security" and "Keeping Your Business Running." The first brings local government leaders, including LA County Sheriff Lee Baca, together to share their organizations' post-disaster plans. Session 2 consists of corporate leaders with on-the-ground disaster experience. Jason Jackson from Wal-Mart and others will recount their company's post-emergency responses.

Following lunch, there are two sessions: "Tales from the Trenches," in which NGO first-responders share their experiences and lessons learned; and "Tools of the Trade," consisting of emergency preparedness industry leaders. Event sponsors include City National Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Roche, and American International Group, Inc.

For 70 years, Town Hall Los Angeles has promoted civic participation, pride, and awareness. Town Hall is a nonpartisan and nonprofit forum that encourages a public discussion on issues of regional, national, and international significance. With PREPARE, Town Hall continues its conversation on the security of our region. Last fall, Town Hall asked a panel of experts including port President, S. David Freeman, is the "Port of Los Angeles: A Secure, Green, and Efficient Port?"

WHEN:

Thursday, January 18, 2007

8:00 AM Registration Opens

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Conference

11:00 AM Media Availability with Speakers (Sunset Room)

WHERE:

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Crystal Ballroom

9641 Sunset Boulevard

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Media Contact: Deborah Weinberg, Director of Media Relations at 213.312.9307 or [email protected].

All members of the media are invited to cover the entirety of this important conference.

**Please credit Town Hall Los Angeles in your coverage.