WHAT: ASSE’s Safety 2018 Professional Development Conference & Exposition, a global workplace safety event with people from 40 countries participating as presenters, exhibitors and attendees. A key panel discussion will have experts addressing the active shooter issue and ways to reduce risks of workplace violence.

WHERE: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 900 E. Market Street in San Antonio along the River Walk. Much has changed since ASSE last visited San Antonio for Safety 2009. The convention center was transformed through a $325 million capital improvement project, and the city is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year.

WHEN: Sunday, June 3, to Wednesday, June 6.

WHY: The American Society of Safety Engineers holds an annual conference attended by more than 5,000 occupational safety and health professionals who learn about a wide range of best practices, industry trends and the latest product innovations. The event generates many stories and photo/video opportunities for journalists, who connect with industry experts and secure sources for their safety and health articles year-round.

HOW: Press members are encouraged to register for free by contacting Blaine Krage in media relations at the American Society of Safety Engineers. He can be reached at bkrage@asse.org or 847.768.3416. On-site, Blaine can help reporters connect with any presenter, executive or safety expert related to the topics that most interest them. Reporters receive complimentary lunches on Monday and Tuesday of the event in the exhibit hall.

MORE INFO:  Journalists can get a flavor of the big week and see everything the conference has to offer in the Safety 2018 brochure that is available by clicking here: https://safety.asse.org/docs/Safety_2018_Brochure.pdf

►  Employers are struggling to get ahead of the active shooter problem, and a panel discussion will help safety professionals get prepared. Experts from the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement, corporate risk management and employee assistance programs will address the topic in a general session titled “The Before and After Summit: A Safety Professional’s Guide to Prepare For, React to, and Address Workplace Violence Events.”

►  More than 100 years in the making, the Society’s new name and brand will debut at Safety 2018 with ASSE becoming the American Society of Safety Professionals. Also, the Society’s leadership will shift gears as new ASSP President Rixio Medina takes the reins of the world’s oldest professional safety organization in 2018-19.

►  The Society will honor its Safety Professional of the Year and Outstanding Safety Educator of the Year; present the Award for Innovation in Occupational Safety Management; and bestow its highest distinction of Fellow on an exceptional leader in the occupational safety and health profession.

►  A Plenary Town Hall follows up on last year’s spirited debate at Safety 2017 in Denver on popular yet controversial Behavior Based Safety. In Part 2, Tom Krause, Scott Geller and Todd Conklin are back to discuss how companies should operationalize all the talk in the prevention of serious injuries and fatalities, joined by executives from Tesla Motors, Cargill and Goodyear.

►  For the first time, the conference will include a community service networking event, a 5K fun run, and a chance for attendees to practice two-minute “elevator safety pitches” on senior executives.

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 more than 37,000 practitioners covers every industry, developing and implementing programs that prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses. ASSE advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy and standards development. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety, has been a leader in the field for more than 50 years. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.