PARK RIDGE, Illinois — More than two weeks before its signature safety event in Denver, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) already knows this year’s turnout will rank No. 1 in the event’s 56-year history. ASSE’s Safety 2017 Professional Development Conference & Exposition, set for June 19-22 at the Colorado Convention Center, has easily topped its records for registered attendance and exhibitors.
“We couldn’t be happier about how everything is coming together for a fantastic week for workplace safety and health professionals from around the world,” said David Natalizia, chair of the ASSE Professional Development Conference Planning Committee.
Registrations have climbed to 4,730, and the event has a chance to exceed 5,000 attendees. ASSE’s previous record crowd occurred at Safety 2011 in Chicago, which attracted 4,535 participants during the Society’s 100th anniversary celebration. Registered exhibitors at Safety 2017 have reached 640, surpassing the event record of 615. ASSE’s conference and expo brings together safety and health professionals from 40 countries who learn about best practices, industry trends and the latest product innovations in the occupational safety and health field.
“I think the main ingredient to our success is that our Society remains extremely relevant and valuable to our members, who are enthusiastic about growing personally and professionally,” Natalizia said. “They’re committed to absorbing as much knowledge as possible to help their companies better protect workers in every industry.”
A spirited Plenary Session on Wednesday, June 21, will be held town hall-style, featuring some of the most recognizable names in safety. They will focus on the controversial topic of behavior-based safety to understand the human side of safety performance improvement in a time of political transition and de-regulation. An Executive Summit on Thursday, June 22, will feature senior executives from influential companies discussing the importance of workplace safety and how safety professionals can overcome obstacles to be most effective.
Among the hundreds of concurrent educational sessions, six are deemed “Super Sessions” based on their major appeal to attendees. These sessions, held in an expanded space on the expo floor, are leading in registrations:
♦ Complacency: The Silent Killer on Tuesday, June 20.
♦ Highlights of the Newly Released ASSE/ANSI Z244.1 Lockout/Tagout Standard on Tuesday, June 20.
♦ Medical Marijuana: Miracle Drug or Safety Nightmare? on Tuesday, June 20.
♦ Environmental Regulations – What Safety Professionals Need to Know on Tuesday, June 20.
♦ Identifying Cultural Hazards: 4 Clues Your Organization Is Out of Balance on Wednesday, June 21.
♦ New ANSI & OSHA Confined Space Safety Standards: Host vs. Contractor Employers on Wednesday, June 21.
In addition, a presentation connected to the ASSE Foundation’s research initiative on workplace fatigue takes place on Thursday, June 22. A Data-Driven Approach to Identifying Physical Fatigue addresses the measurement, monitoring and modeling of physical fatigue through wearable sensors, incorporating big data analytics and safety engineering. The session, led by Lora Cavuoto, Ph.D., AEP, from the University of Buffalo, shows in real time how to capture a worker’s safety performance and translate the data into personal fatigue levels.
About ASSE – Working together for a safer, stronger future
For more than 100 years, the American Society of Safety Engineers has been at the forefront of helping occupational safety and health professionals protect people and property. The nonprofit society is based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. Its global membership of over 37,000 professionals covers every industry, developing safety and health management plans that prevent deaths, injuries and illnesses. ASSE advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards development and a professional community. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety, is a longtime leader in the field. Visit www.asse.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Media contact: Blaine Krage, 847.768.3416, bkrage@asse.org