Still No Word from NPPD on CSSS Registration

Last Thursday I reported that SOCMA had announced the opening of registration for the 2013 Chemical Sector Security Summit (CSSS). Since SOCMA is a co-sponsor of the CSS along with DHS-NPPD Office of Infrastructure Protection (OIP) and the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council I am not surprised that SOCMA was the first to make this announcement; they are much more industry oriented than OIP.

I am concerned, however, that with less than a week left to reserve the lower cost rooms reserved for this event at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, that the NPPD web site for the 2013 CSSS still says: “Check back for agenda and registration information.” The site has not been updated since May 7^th.

OIP has been dragging its feet on making decisions and sharing information on the 2013 CSSS all along. In previous years registration was closed long before this because all of the available slots had been filled and an extensive waiting list had been initiated. Participation has been declining in recent years (last year did not fill all of the available slots even with removing the restrictions on the number of personnel from an organization that could attend), but that is probably due more to tight travel funds due to the poorly performing economy than a decline in industry interest.

If OIP continues to drag its feet in sharing timely information about the CSSS they are going to force even lower attendance and will inevitably cancel future events at some point. This annual event is too important to allow that to happen.

BTW: If NPPD is interested in expanding participation in this event, something not in current evidence to be sure, all they have to do is to web cast key presentations/discussions from the event.