From March 16 to 19, 2026, the Virginia Emergency Management Symposium (VEMS) will convene emergency management and homeland security professionals in Norfolk, Virginia, to explore the latest developments, best practices, tools, and technologies shaping the field. Sponsored by the Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), this annual event encourages stakeholders from all levels of government, the private sector, public health, and related professions to collaborate and advance strategies to protect lives and property during disasters.
This year’s theme, “Currents of Change: Navigating the Unknown,” highlights the critical role emergency managers play in preparing the Commonwealth and its citizens for ever-evolving threats. Sessions will cover topics including innovative planning, training, and exercises; military collaboration to strengthen civil defense; enhancing supply chain and critical infrastructure resilience; and leveraging private-sector partnerships to optimize resource management.
Connect with Hagerty
As a proud sponsor of VEMS 2026, we are excited to engage with partners, colleagues, and practitioners throughout the event. Representing our team, Danielle Holmstrom, Deputy Director of Preparedness and VEMA President, will be in attendance and available to connect.
Danielle brings deep Virginia-based experience in emergency management, having served in leadership roles across local and state agencies, including the Virginia Beach Office of Emergency Management and VDEM. She looks forward to exchanging ideas with attendees, learning from fellow practitioners, and exploring ways Hagerty can support emergency preparedness and resilience across the Commonwealth.
For more information about VEMS 2026, visit the official event page here.
About Our Team
Danielle Holmstrom is an emergency management and homeland security professional with over 15 years of experience in the government and private sectors. Danielle has extensive strategic and operational experience developing and implementing all-hazards emergency management programs, managing large-scale organizational initiatives, and facilitating large stakeholder groups. Prior to joining Hagerty, Danielle spent nearly seven years at State and local government emergency management agencies, most recently as the Emergency Management Coordinator and Director of the Virginia Beach Office of Emergency Management.