Register

GRA 2026 Schedule At a Glance

September 28-30, 2026

PALMER EVENTS CENTER - AUSTIN, TX

Workshops & Demonstrations Sessions

ICS Basics & Case Studies

  • Interactive introduction to Incident Command System (ICS) operations, spill response coordination, wildlife rehabilitation, and tabletop response planning tools.

Simplified Planning & Initial Response Tactics

  • Learn streamlined ICS planning strategies and practical approaches for managing the critical first stages of an incident response.

Spill Basics & Response Strategies

  • An overview of oil spill science, response options, shoreline cleanup, NOAA tools, and interactive response simulations led by NOAA experts.

Resilient Responders: Mental Health in Emergency Response

  • Explore practical tools and strategies to support responder mental health, resilience, burnout prevention, and peer support during high-stress incidents.

Crisis Communications

  • Gain insights into effective crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, and maintaining public trust during emergency response operations.

Offshore Source Control

  • Learn the fundamentals of offshore subsea source control, including response timelines, specialized equipment, and global best practices.

Air Monitoring for Emergency Response

  • Engage with experts at this hands-on workshop covering air monitoring plans, field equipment, sampling strategies, and data interpretation during emergency incidents.

Dispersants: Science, Planning & Decision-Making

  • Examine dispersant operations, regulations, environmental trade-offs, and the science behind dispersant effectiveness during oil spill response.

Modeling for Response Planning Fundamentals

  • Explore spill trajectory modeling, field data integration, response forecasting, and hands-on training with industry leading modeling tools.

On-Site Demonstrations & Interactive Experiences

Wildlife Response: Recon, Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Release

  • 1. Part One focuses on response to wildlife impacts during a spill response. Attendees will have an opportunity to visit an on-site mobile wildlife rehabilitation and decontamination exhibit to gain a better understanding of the mechanics and expertise required to accomplish a successful wildlife operation.

Shoreline Response Program: SCAT and Beyond

  • 2. Part 2 will feature a coordinated series of presentations from five experienced shoreline response practitioners. Experts will address critical components of the SCAT process and its integration into operational planning, including the regulatory framework governing shoreline response, state and federal requirements and how OSROs prepare for and support spill operations.

Offshore Equipment Deployment Feeds

  • Observe live and recorded demonstrations of offshore spill response equipment and operations from MSRC and CGA exhibit booths.

On-Water Spill Equipment Demonstration

  • View on-water deployment demonstrations showcasing industry and government-recognized spill response equipment and best practices.

Agenda

Find the times for badge pickup, keynotes, sessions, expo experiences, and more.

12:00 - 17:00

Exhibitors move-in

  • Exhibit Hall

08:00 - 09:00

Opening General Session

  • Exhibit Hall 2
Welcome Remarks,
Keynote Address Todd Staples,
Texas Oil & Gas Assoc.

09:00 - 16:00

Exhibit Hall Open

  • Exhibit Hall 1

9:00 - 11:00

Onsite Demonstrations

11:00 - 12:00

Government Updates

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

  • On your own
Food Trucks Available at Palmer

13:00 - 16:00

Workshops

  • Meeting Rooms, Level 2

14:30 - 15:00

Coffee Break

  • Riverside Concourse

14:30 - 16:00

Onsite Demonstrations

16:30 - 18:00

On Water Demonstrations

16:30 - 19:00

Hula Hut Networking Event

08:00 - 16:00

Exhibit Hall Open

  • Exhibit Hall 1

08:00 - 12:00

Workshops

  • Meeting Rooms, Level 2

10:00 - 10:30

Coffee Break

  • Riverside Concourse

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

  • On your own
Food Trucks Available at Palmer

13:00 - 16:00

Workshops

  • Meeting Rooms, Level 2

14:00 - 18:00

Exhibitor Move-Out

  • Exhibit Hall 1

19:00 - 22:00

Awards & Celebration

  • Exhibit Hall 2

22:00

Event Concludes

Event Locations

Palmer Events Center

  • 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704
  • Primary venue for GRA meetings, Exhibit Hall, and special events.
View on Google Maps

Hula Hut

  • 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78703
  • Venue for on-water demonstrations.
  • Opening Night Reception.
View on Google Maps

Hotel blocks

Hilton Hotel

Gulf Response Alliance Room Block – Embassy Suites Austin South Congress – September 2026
Book with GRA

Hyatt Regency

208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Book with GRA

Hyatt Place

211 East 3rd Street, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Book with GRA

Secure Your Spot

September 28-30, 2026 – Palmer Events Center – Austin, TX

TIER A1

Full Attendee Registration

  • Full access to all event sessions
  • Attendee Registration Bag (includes bag, name badge and printed program guide)
  • Digital access to the GRA program guide and agenda
  • Admission to all receptions, sessions, and networking breaks
  • Certificate of participation
  • Cancellation policy will be offered
Select Individual
TIER A2 BEST VALUE

Group Attendee Registration

  • Full access to all event sessions
  • Attendee Registration Bag (includes bag, name badge and printed program guide)
  • Digital access to the GRA program guide and agenda
  • Admission to all receptions, sessions, and networking breaks
  • Certificate of participation
  • Cancellation policy will be offered
Register Your Group
TIER A3

Government Attendee Registration

  • Full access to all event sessions
  • Attendee Registration Bag (includes bag, name badge and printed program guide)
  • Digital access to the GRA program guide and agenda
  • Admission to all receptions, sessions, and networking breaks
  • Certificate of participation
  • Cancellation policy will be offered
Select Government

Registration Cancellation Policy

Cancellation requests received 60 days or more prior to the event start date.

Cancellation requests received 30–59 days prior to the event.

Cancellation requests received less than 30 days prior to the event. Registrations may be transferred to another individual at no cost up to 7 days before the event. Only valid for the 2026 Gulf Response Alliance event.

If the event is postponed or canceled due to circumstances beyond control (weather, government action, etc.), registration fees may be transferred to a future event or refunded at the discretion of GRA.