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With the one year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle earlier this week, and the devastating Port Hills fires in Christchurch, Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) held hosted a critical webinar on adverse weather event readiness, Thursday, February 15.
The session brought together industry experts and business owners to discuss strategies for preparing and responding to the unpredictable nature of weather events. Hosted by TIA advocate Laura Cornall the webinar featured insightful contributions from Roger Coleman, owner of Tākaro Trails Cycle Tours in Hawke’s Bay, and Marsh Insurance’s Gabe Money and Adam Wilson, focusing on growth, strategy, and risk advice.
The session opened with reflections on the impact of Cyclone Gabriel and the ongoing challenges of fires in Christchurch, highlighting the urgent need for businesses to assess their risk exposure and enhance their resilience.
Speaker, Roger Coleman share his narrative of firsthand experience during Cyclone Gabriel, detailing the operational and financial hurdles Tākaro Trails Cycle Tours encountered in 2023, that included significant power and communication disruptions and a wave of cancellations.
This highlighted the necessity of being proactive in disaster preparedness, but Roger says it also taught him the value of community, industry support networks, the importance of mental health and stress management, and the indispensable role of tailored insurance solutions in safeguarding businesses.
Gabe Money and Adam Wilson from Marsh Insurance provided their insights into aligning natural catastrophe risks with insurance policies. They offered practical advice on enhancing organisational resilience through thorough risk assessment, impact evaluation, and the development of strong mitigation strategies. Their contributions stressed the importance of understanding potential exposures, accurately evaluating the financial impacts of disasters, and ensuring that insurance coverage adequately reflects the unique needs and risks of each business.
The webinar highlighted the critical importance of preparedness, resilience, and informed decision-making in the face of natural disasters. By sharing experiences, strategies, and expert advice, the session aimed to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate adverse weather events, mitigate risks, and recover efficiently, highlighting a path forward for organizations seeking to strengthen their defenses against the unpredictable forces of nature.
