The forum has three objectives:

1. Share lessons identified or learned (refer to the Lessons Management handbook for definition of learned lessons). The program committee will prioritise abstracts on lessons identified.
2. Provide introductory level training, workshops and presentations to educate, encourage and empower those new to lessons management.
3. Provide presentations and workshops that challenge and advance the thinking and practice of experienced lessons management practitioners.

The committee is seeking abstracts that respond to one or more of the following:

• Learning from recovery
  Key insights and lessons emerging from recovery-focused events and operations.
• Lessons management in recovery contexts
  Frameworks, governance, and practices that support effective lessons management during recovery.
• From lessons identified to lessons learned
  How mature organisations translate insights into action, embed change, and integrate lessons into strategic decision-making.
• Technology-enabled lessons management
  Leveraging digital tools and Artificial Intelligence to capture, analyse, and apply lessons more effectively.
• The future of lessons management
  Emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping how organisations learn from events.
• Applying historical insights
  What past incidents – particularly recovery efforts – teach us about improving future preparedness and outcomes.

Call for abstracts is now open, submissions close 11pm AEDT on Friday 6 February 2026.
Submit your abstract here.

The Lessons Management Forum will be delivered as a hybrid event, allowing those unable to join AFAC and AIDR in location to be confirmed to participate online. 

Virtual attendees will join via Zoom, and all delegates will use an online Q&A platform to engage with speakers. 

Registrations open February 2026.

Accommodation options will be released once the venue has been announced.

Participants take part in a broad range of presentations and workshops from various jurisdictions and organisations, including military, health, and fire and emergency services. The program explores sharing lessons, including insights and lessons identified from experiences in an operational context. This may include outcomes from debriefs and outcomes from significant events. It will also explore implementing lessons and the different approaches taken by organisations in managing lessons. This may include development of frameworks, governance, and processes.

The program includes:

Presentations
Presentations will cover lessons that have been identified as well as how to manage lessons. There will be a broad range of presentations and workshops from various organisations, jurisdictions, and sectors.

The forum
The forum is open to everyone and will provide face-to-face networking opportunities to enhance the expanding community of practitioners working in the lessons management area and will encourage new members to join. The forum is also livestreamed for attendees to view as an online delegate if they are unable to attend in person.

Workshops
A selection of workshops related to lessons management will be available to register for, at an additional cost.

Networking event
A networking event is held on the evening of day one of the forum.

Who should attend?

The Lessons Management Forum provides an opportunity for lessons management practitioners, those interested in this area, and those new to the area, to share good practice, learnings, and innovations.