The Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization of IT professionals who provide technology continuity and recovery assistance to communities and small businesses that are affected by disasters. In an effort to bolster the survivability odds of small businesses in a number of particularly vulnerable areas across the country, the organization has just announced it will host a FREE three-hour educational Spring Disaster Preparedness Roadshow.

IT Disaster Recovery Specialists will host events in more than two dozen different cities starting later this month, each of which will focus on helping small businesses “assess their current use of technology, develop a strategy to safeguard their data and understand options for business continuity and recovery.” ITDRC is hoping that home-based and other small business, business opportunity and franchise owners as well as other non-profit groups in particular will view this as their chance to ensure they are prepared to weather any catastrophe.

Coincidentally, the announcement was made on the same day worldwide insurance brokering and risk management leader, Marsh, published a new paper outlining just how important it is for businesses to learn lessons from the unprecedented catastrophes of the last few years. “Organizations need to explore every necessary measure to protect their people, physical assets and balance sheets,” said David Pigot, Chairman of Marsh’s Global Claims Practice. “By learning the lessons from past events, companies can reduce the likelihood and impact of future losses and minimize insurance claims.”

Small business owners, this is your opportunity to do just that…

The ITDRC’s 26-site tour kicks off in Shreveport, La., on April 23, and will also include stops along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts as well as several cities in the high-risk area of the country known as “Tornado Alley.” Seating is limited, and online registration is required.

You can view the complete schedule and access registration links by clicking on the Road Show tab on ITDRC’s web site now: http://www.itdrc.org/. To view the announcement regarding Marsh’s newly published report, go to Lessons Learned from the Catastrophes of 2011 now.