The 2008 National Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Conference was held April 21-23, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Over 850 attendees participated in an exciting program. The conference brought together a combination of UASI participants from across the country with DHS leadership and subject matter experts most intimately involved in UASI and related programs. The conference provided a forum for exchange of information on both technical and managerial aspects of the program.

The conference opened with a general session presentation on the bioterrorism threat by Dr. Jeff Runge, Chief Medical Officer and the Assistant Secretary for the DHS Office of Health Affairs. After the opening session, 11 beak out sessions were held over six functional tracks: Project Management, Fire, Law Enforcement, Medical, Interoperable Communications and Fusion Centers. The final closing session was a moving presentation by Rocco Forte, Emergency Preparedness Director, Minneapolis on the I-35 bridge collapse and how UASI aided in the response.

A highlight of the conference was a huge BBQ and equipment display where over 600 attendees mingled among mobile hospitals, SWAT vehicles, command buses and the Charlotte Pipe and Drum Band.