Several devastating earthquakes have occurred worldwide during the last decade of the 20th century. Major metropolitan and industrialized areas have been affected, resulting in significant loss of life and property damage. Of the total assets, employment, and operations exposed to earthquake loss, by far the largest portion has been within the private sector. The two areas where the occurrence of $100-plus billion earthquake disasters is most probable face each other across the Pacific Ocean: Japan and the west coast of the United States.

These facts motivated the development of the Corporate Earthquake Programs Conference series. The First Conference was held in 1991 in the USA, a success that was followed by the Second Conference held in Tokyo in 1993. The Third and Fourth Conferences, held in 1996 and 1998, respectively, focused on lessons learned in two major seismic events in the USA and Japan: The Northridge Earthquake and The Great Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) Earthquake. The Fifth Conference sought to draw from lessons to be learnt from Turkey and Taiwan, in addition to Japan and California. These lessons now need to be tied in with the concept of sustainable development of society at large as well.

Issues relevant to corporate earthquake safety will be discussed by experts from both the private and public sectors, and also by researchers. During plenary sessions papers will be presented, including case studies of corporate earthquake programs. Break-out workshops, where issues related to corporate earthquake safety can be discussed in-depth, are also planned. Participants will have the opportunity for direct contact, knowledge transfer and development of on-going relationships.

There will also be exhibits of products that have been developed for enhancing earthquake safety and reducing losses.