"Up-level" might make you up-chuck

Questionable word: up-level (used as a verb)
Citation: Crisis Manager e-newsletter of 10.04.06 (by subscription), Crisis Manager University, fifth article: “Guest Editorial Re Katrina Predictions” by Rick Reed of California.
Usage: First paragraph after Editor’s Note, “…I also believe that we must up-level the discussion from emergency managers to those who decide on how much “insurance” they want to buy…” [color font mine]
Recommendation: Avoid it.
Rationale: It doesn't show up in any of the online dictionaries I consulted (Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford English Dictionary, Wiktionary) nor my hardbound copy of the American Heritage Dictionary. I'm not even clear what it means, although from the usage I suspect it means "go up a level" or "take it up a notch." This is obviously a word the author made up, which is dangerous, especially for a consultant, who needs to demonstrate knowledge and skill.

Research Tip: A great one-stop word resource (dictionary) is yourdictionary.com, which includes links to dozens of dictionaries, in lots of languages.