Varying from cutting-edge technology to innovative strategy, the expo will offer opportunities to attendees to leave with the tools and knowledge they need to prepare, protect, respond and recover themselves and their communities from the impact and devastation caused by disasters.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Disasters Expo USA, the leading event mitigating the world's most costly disasters, kicked off on Thursday in Los Angeles, California, drawing thousands of disaster specialists, business owners and first responders from across the globe.

The two-day expo is held at the Los Angeles Convention Center amid the U.S. National Preparedness Month, which falls in September.

Varying from cutting-edge technology to innovative strategy, the expo will offer opportunities to attendees to leave with the tools and knowledge they need to prepare, protect, respond and recover themselves and their communities from the impact and devastation caused by disasters.

More than 3,000 visitors will gain unparalleled access to influential keynote speakers, live demonstrations, and leading innovative suppliers, making the expo a hub of innovation and collaboration for solutions to manage the devastating impact of natural disasters and save lives, said the organizer of the event.

An expert attending the event, Mark Benthien, director for Communication, Education, and Outreach for the Southern California Earthquake Center, told Xinhua that everyone should become better prepared for disasters including earthquakes.

"People should be participating in events where they can learn more like today at the disasters expo," he said, adding that "whenever you can come and talk to people who are experts and ask your questions, that's helpful for the more people know and understand what to do."  ■