Crisis Communications for Adventure, Travel and Outdoor Programmes
Jeff Baierlein
A major incident has occurred. Potentially damaging social media images are already trickling out. Reporters are calling. It’s all happening with terrifying speed. How do you stay in control? How do you best manage your organization’s reputation? What are best practices for effective media relations in a crisis? This workshop will help you answer those questions and more.
Participants will:
- Understand best practices for news media relations surrounding major incidents
- Gain skills in effectively working with news media representatives during potentially hostile interview situations
- Learn where to go for more information on crisis communications for programmes offering travel-based, adventure, and outdoor experiences
About Jeff
Jeff Baierlein has 39 years of professional experience in risk management for outdoor and experiential education programs, in roles ranging from wilderness expedition leader to Executive Director at Outward Bound. Jeff directs the consultancy Viristar, providing safety, curriculum design, strategy consulting, training and accreditation services to wilderness, outdoor and travel-based programs worldwide. He is the author of Risk Management for Outdoor Programs: A Guide to Safety in Outdoor Education, Recreation and Adventure.
Jeff has led and directed wilderness expeditions and outdoor programs in mountaineering, sailing, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, flatwater canoeing, backpacking, sea kayaking, vertical caving, high ropes challenge course, service learning, whitewater canoeing, international cultural exchange, and technical canyoneering. He has worked as an EMT with multiple ambulance services and been a member of backcountry, high angle, and technical Search and Rescue groups in New Hampshire, Washington state, and Arizona USA, leading rescues in North America and Asia.
Jeff is a keynote speaker on topics ranging from safety in outdoor and experiential programs to diversity, equity and inclusion. He has provided incident reviews and safety audits (risk management reviews) for wilderness, outdoor and travel-based programs, and provided consulting, accreditation and training services for experiential adventure and outdoor learning programs in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.
Jeff is an adventure safety expert witness and the former Executive Director of both the Boojum Institute for Experiential Education and Outward Bound Baltimore Chesapeake Bay. He has served on numerous Boards of Directors.
Jeff has given presentations in 17 countries, where his work has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Marathi, Russian, and Vietnamese. He has degrees in Environmental Education and Human Development from Prescott College, and a Master’s of Science in Management from Antioch University-Seattle. Jeff lives in Seattle, Washington, USA.
