2024 ACP Chapter of the Year

Take a moment to explore and support our valued 40th Anniversary Sponsors and Partners featured below. Their contributions help make our celebration possible!

40 years of Building Resiliency through Engagement in North Texas

Four decades ago, 1986 was a year of bold beginnings — not just for a new computer called the Apple Macintosh Plus, which was turning heads with its “cutting-edge” 1MB of memory, but also for a visionary group of North Texas professionals who recognized the growing need for preparedness, resilience, and collaboration. That year, The Association of Continuity Professionals (ACP) North Texas Chapter was born, committed to helping organizations stay strong through disruption and build a foundation for resilience that would stand the test of time.

Forty years later, that legacy has grown into the nation’s largest ACP chapter, with members who are leaders in business continuity, emergency management, and crisis response. The chapter proudly earned the 2024 Chapter of the Year recognition — a reflection of the energy, innovation, and community spirit that continues to define North Texas. Each month, members gather for meetings featuring compelling keynote speakers, case studies, and lively exchanges of best practices, always with an eye on the future while honoring the lessons of the past.

As the North Texas Chapter celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, it stands as both a witness to and a driver of progress — from the dawn of desktop computing to the age of AI-driven resilience. Much like that little beige Macintosh that changed how the world worked, ACP North Texas continues to redefine how resilience professionals connect, collaborate, and create a safer, more prepared future together.

As we celebrate four decades of resilience, leadership, and innovation, we invite you to become part of the next chapter in the #NorthTXACP story.  Step forward, join our community of visionaries, and help chart the path for the next 40 years of continuity excellence. 

Together, we won’t just honor our legacy — we’ll redefine the future of preparedness, one connection, one breakthrough, and one leader at a time.

Events are generally held on the first Tuesday of every month, but may vary due to holidays or speaker schedules. Events are for current members and invited guests only.  If you are not yet a member but would like to attend one of our events, please contact us, or consider joining the chapter.  Select - TX: North Texas (Dallas)

ACP Thought Leadership – Think Tank Thursdays

This quarter’s topic will be around the upcoming FIFA World Cup in June and July. Deb Michaels from FIFA, is in charge of D/FW security preparations, and gave a fantastic overview at our February Chapter meeting. Since we will all be impacted by the World Cup (both organizationally and personally), this is a great opportunity to share preparation activities, information sources, and other intelligence we gather as the Event approaches.

We will have three, one hour calls, with the first scheduled for next Thursday, February 26, 11:00AM Central time. We can use this time to cover the schedule and published FIFA resources, then go around the table so everyone can share their activities, questions, and ideas with the team. I’ll record everyone’s thoughts so we can put together into a final report for the Chapter Membership.

Please sign up at Signup Genius, #20, or e-mail me directly at swaken@att.net and I’ll send you the Zoom details

Thank you for participating in the Think Tank, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone!

Upcoming Chapter Event 

May 5, 2026 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Topic:  2026 FIFA World Cup: Federal Reserve Bank Contingency Planning Considerations and Cash Visit/Museum

Presenter:  Jacob Holly

Location:  Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas 

Parking:  Allow 10-15 minutes to park and check in. Limited parking is available at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas on a first come, first served basis.

Address:   2200 N Pearl St, Dallas, TX 75201

Map Link

Lunch: Lunch provided for in-person attendees with RSVP

May 12, 2026 InnoTech – Austin’s IT & Security Conference

Location:  Palmer Events Center

Event Link 

Registration Options & Discount Codes:

Discount Code ACP666 for complimentary InnoTech conference only. Complimentary Registration includes more than 20+ conference sessions, morning keynote, exhibits and more. (Does not include special events or luncheons)

Discount Code SML5VIP for 50% off the full event price (includes 3 special events)

May 28th, 2026 Dallas Technology Summit - Elevate IT

Information:   ACP Discount Code to follow

Event Link

Location:   Irving Convention Center

President's Address

May Message 

Hello ACP Chapter Members,

Operational resilience isn’t something we build in isolation. It requires alignment, visibility, and shared ownership at every level of the organization. One of the biggest shifts I’m seeing across organizations right now is the growing connection between executive leadership teams and business continuity professionals.

When leadership is engaged, resilience becomes not just a plan on the shelf but part of how the business operates. However, it is something we have to work to build because that kind of partnership doesn’t just happen automatically or overnight.

From my perspective, it starts with speaking the same language. Senior leaders aren’t looking for recovery time objectives or uptime statistics. They’re focused on direct customer impact, revenue stability, and customer facing operational continuity. When we frame our programs around critical business services and outcomes, we make resilience real and actionable for them.

It means bringing leadership into the process. Not just for annual approvals, but for active program participation. Executive-level exercises, scenario discussions, and decision-making simulations create clarity around roles and expectations before a disruption ever occurs. When leadership understands and feels comfortable with how they will lead during uncertainty, that’s where operational resilience truly takes shape.

There’s also an opportunity here to build trust. When continuity teams consistently provide clear insights, practical recommendations, and measurable progress, leadership starts to see resilience as a strategic capability and not just a compliance requirement.

This month, I encourage you to take one step toward strengthening that partnership. Whether it’s a short briefing, a focused exercise, or simply reframing how you present your program. Even small efforts can create meaningful alignment.

Operational resilience is a team effort. And the stronger that partnership is, the stronger our organizations will be when it matters most.

Wishing you a collaborative and resilient month,

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Chapter Event Information

Our events are 90-minutes.  Please join us for our next event!  Events (unless indicated) are also available to attend virtually.  However, we invite you to attend in person if possible.  Virtual event information will be provided with each event invitation.

Anyone interested in hosting an event or speaking at an upcoming event, please contact our Programs Director or President.

Note: Additional information for regular event locations can be found on the Events page.