September 28-30, 2026

PALMER EVENTS CENTER - AUSTIN, TX

Bringing response
back to basics

What is
Gulf Response Alliance?

Effective response starts with strong fundamentals. The inaugural 2026 Gulf Response Alliance event builds on decades of Gulf spill response experience while capturing the energy and skills of new responders. The GRA brings together industry, institutional, community and regulatory leaders for three days of hands-on training and coordination. This year’s focus is Back to Basics: Reinforcing the capabilities and partnerships that responders rely on. 

What is Gulf Response Alliance

Why Attend?

connect

Connect

Build and renew a strong network of dependable partners for spill prevention and response. GRA 2026 offers multiple opportunities for cross-sector engagement across the response community.
Learn

Learn

Gain insights grounded in real-world response experience from seasoned practitioners. Sessions will focus on core principles and current practices informed by field-tested tools and methods.

Align

Align

Effective response relies on shared expectations, communication, and coordination. Our goal is to provide a platform for organizations to align around common approaches across the response community.

Featured Speaker

Keynote Speaker: Todd Staples

Todd Staples, President of the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA), will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural Gulf Response Alliance event, opening the General Session on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas.

His keynote will set the stage for three days of training, demonstrations, and workshops dedicated to Gulf Coast preparedness, collaboration, and environmental stewardship.

Agenda

3 Days of Technical Workshops, Live Demos & Agency Updates

Join us at the Palmer Events Center from Monday, Sept. 28 to Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 for three action-packed days of hands-on workshops, live equipment demonstrations, ICS tabletop exercises, and key regulatory updates from federal and state response leaders.

Secure Your Spot

September 28-30, 2026 – Palmer Events Center – Austin, TX

TIER A1

Full Attendee Registration

TIER A2 BEST VALUE

Group Attendee Registration

TIER A3

Government Attendee Registration

Registration Cancellation Policy

Cancellation requests received 60 days or more prior to the event start date.

Cancellation requests received 30–59 days prior to the event.

Cancellation requests received less than 30 days prior to the event. Registrations may be transferred to another individual at no cost up to 7 days before the event. Only valid for the 2026 Gulf Response Alliance event.

If the event is postponed or canceled due to circumstances beyond control (weather, government action, etc.), registration fees may be transferred to a future event or refunded at the discretion of GRA.

What Agencies are Attending?

Who is Exhibiting?

Executive Committee

Jesse Gilbert President and CEO, Oceans and Wildlife Institute

Jesse Gilbert

President and CEO,
Oceans and Wildlife Institute

jimmy martinez

Deputy Director, Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Prevention and Response Program

Marty Bienvenu Executive Director, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office

Marty Bienvenu

Executive Director, 
Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office

Logo SCAA

Josh Clifford

Spill Control Association of America

mike drieu Steering Committee Chairman

Michael drieu

Steering Committee ChairmanGulf Response Alliance

Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?

September 28-30, 2026

PALMER EVENTS CENTER - AUSTIN, TX

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