Join us at one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations for four to six* days of sun, fun, and life-changing life-saving education, training and networking among peers, special guests and a variety of distinguished speakers and experts from all aspects of our profession. Billed as “the highest-quality event of its kind, brought to you by the leading force in its field,” the 2025 Project Lifesaver® conference will dive deep into current trends, policies, best practices, behavioral insights, and game-changing methodologies/approaches and technologies in the fields of safety, security, search-and-rescue, and care and understanding pertaining to individuals with autism, dementia, Down syndrome, brain injury and other cognitive conditions, as well as support for LEOs and others affected by frontline trauma and first-responder PTSD.
*(Special early-arrival event: Arrive Saturday, Aug. 23 for early check-in and a special registered attendee-only evening reception with award-winning actor Noah Wyle and other distinguished Project Lifesaver ambassadors!)
WHAT IS PROJECT LIFESAVER?
Project Lifesaver Inc., DBA Project Lifesaver International, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the world leader in training and equipping first responders, public-safety agencies and others in expedited search and rescue (SAR) for people prone to wandering due to cognitive disorders. Currently more than 1,800 active certified member agencies run the Project Lifesaver program within their local communities, “bringing loved ones home” as specialists in locating participating special-needs children and adults quickly and efficiently when they go missing. By implementing Project Lifesaver, they save their communities precious time, tremendous resources and collectively thousands of lives using the proven technology and methodologies that address the unique challenges that traditional SAR and alternative technologies simply cannot.
TELL ME ABOUT THE CONFERENCE …
Each year, members and nonmembers gather for an impactful week dedicated to sharing and gaining actionable knowledge and perspective germane to their roles, goals and relations as law-enforcement officers, search teams, caregivers, educators, advocates, leaders and protectors in their communities. The 2025 event will be held at the beautiful Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, only a short distance from Disney Springs and nearby Walt Disney World.
Currently scheduled topical speakers, presenters, panels and activities** include:
• Peter A. LaPorta, emcee, former leader at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, 11-time international best-selling author, iconic motivational speaker and the father of a son with autism, with more than 40 years’ experience leading some of the world’s top companies.
• Lt. Michael Pena, retired Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), Tunnel to Towers (T2T) ambassador, and highly trained and experienced search, rescue and recovery expert who has participated in numerous notable operations, including as a responder to both the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the 9/11 WTC attack.
• Lauren Gardner, Ph.D., administrative director of the Autism Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Among other things, Gardner trains law-enforcement officers in recognizing signs and symptoms of autism and how to best support individuals with autism and their families in the professional role.
• Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA: In multiple presentations, Snow will cover the impact of neurodiversity, dementia and brain change in search-and-rescue, law-enforcement encounters and everyday life. As founder and CEO of Positive Approach to Care®, Snow develops education, training strategies and more for understanding the progression of dementia and supporting those living with brain change. Her presentations will enhance attendees’ understanding of brain changes and effective techniques and approaches that will help reduce distress, encourage the acceptance of assistance and improve SAR and interactional outcomes.
• Official Project Lifesaver ambassadors, including award-winning actors Noah Wyle and Max Gail, rock-‘n-roll patriot Dave Bray (Dave Bray USA), Peter A. LaPorta and others with impactful stories, insights and perspectives. You'll love meeting them in person, and you'll enjoy all they have to share as passionate presenters, panelists and guests.
• Concetta Tomaino, DA, MT-BC, LCAT, and Oliver Sacks’ panel on “Music and the Brain: How music and music therapy can help those with challenges related to brain injury, disease or trauma.”
• Doug White, veteran, retired law-enforcement officer, author and speaker dedicated to breaking the silence around frontline trauma and resilience in the first-responder community. His 30+ years of experience include having trained more than 1,500 first responders and executives in leadership, decision-making and high-risk operations, and his keynote will address mental health and well-being for first responders and caregivers.
• Dana Walker, Ed.D. with emphasis on educational law: “The Life Behind the Diagnosis” — Humanizing the Journey. Walker is a highly experienced educational diagnostician with 25+ years of expertise in the field of special education.
• Community- and media-relations panel discussion and workshops led by Nora Firestone, former news reporter and talk-radio host, author of “Deploying High,” and PLI’s current director of marketing.
• Knowledge and expertise delivered by leaders from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and Autism Society will include dementia, water-and-wandering, and autism and Alzheimer’s emergency-response training and education.
• Project Lifesaver International electronic search specialist (ESS) and instructor trainings and re-certifications for members.
• “Ask the CEO & Chairman” discussion and Q&A with Chief Gene Saunders, Project Lifesaver founder, CEO and recognized pioneer turned world leader in the field of expedited special-needs SAR, with Rick Derus, PLI’s chairman of the board.
• A special, fun-filled Monday-night dinner reception at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
• Search competition, book signings/sales, merch tables, silent auction, raffles and more.
**For registered attendees only. Due to the potential for unforeseen circumstances, agenda may be subject to change or adjustments.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The annual conference is open to member agencies and non-members alike, including first responders, law-enforcement agents, caregivers, educators, public-safety professionals, members of the media and others seeking deeper insights into how to engage, protect, search for and better understand and interact with people with autism, dementia and other cognitive disorders.
Consider bringing someone you love! While registered attendees are involved in conference activities, their loved one(s) who are not registered for the conference can relax and enjoy the general hotel amenities and nearby attractions, including Disney Springs and Walt Disney World.
COST, REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION
Conference fee (early-bird pricing through Aug. 15): $700/member; $800/nonmember; $500/national instructor.
Fee covers conference only; group discount rate available for optional hotel room reservations.
For details, registration and group-rate hotel reservations, visit:
https://www.projectlifesaver.org/conference
Questions? Great! Contact us at
https://www.projectlifesaver.org/contact-us
Project Lifesaver. You had us at “help.”
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