WHAT:  ASSP’s Safety 2019 Professional Development Conference & Exposition, a global workplace safety event with professionals from 40 countries participating as presenters, exhibitors and attendees.

WHERE:  New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Boulevard in New Orleans. Much has changed since ASSP’s signature event was last held in New Orleans in 2005, shortly before Hurricane Katrina. The recently renovated convention center is a short walk from the city’s world-famous French Quarter.

WHEN:  Sunday, June 9, to Wednesday, June 12.

WHY:  The conference is a valuable educational and networking experience attended by more than 5,000 occupational safety and health professionals from across the globe who learn about best practices, industry trends and the latest product innovations. The event generates stories and photo/video opportunities for journalists who connect with industry experts and develop year-round sources for their articles on the changing world of work.

HOW:  Press members register for free by contacting Blaine Krage in ASSP public relations at bkrage@assp.org or 847.768.3416. On-site, Blaine helps reporters connect with presenters, ASSP leaders and safety experts. All press members receive complimentary lunches on Monday and Tuesday, June 10-11, 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 2019 brochure that is available by clicking here: https://safety.assp.org/docs/Safety_2019_Brochure.pdf

●  Violence in workplaces is a growing problem. Educational courses will equip safety professionals to reduce risk at their workplaces, including “The Safety Professional and Active Shooter Planning” (S5027); “Lessons Learned From the Hesston, Kansas, Workplace Shooting” (S6004); “Resetting Your Safety to Successfully Respond to Emergencies” (S5081); “Active Shooter Survival” (S6053); and “Call 9-1-1: Then What?” (S5103).

●  State legalization and medical use of marijuana affects how companies manage safety. A general session panel will explore how changing laws impact efforts to maintain drug-free workplaces. Panelists will address challenges faced by occupational safety and health professionals in light of new laws and public views on marijuana.

●  A Plenary Town Hall will tackle the dilemma, “Where Do You Draw the Line? Navigating the Expanding Scope of the Safety Professional.” With the world and its hazards rapidly evolving, a panel of industry experts will share insights on common ethical dilemmas, discuss recommended approaches to executing safety responsibilities and provide advice for practicing in a manner that is beyond reproach.

●  The Society’s leadership will shift gears as new ASSP President Diana Stegall takes the reins of the world’s oldest professional safety organization in 2019-20. Stegall was the first woman ever selected as ASSP’s Safety Professional of the Year when she won the award in 2005.

●  ASSP will honor its 2019 Safety Professional of the Year and Outstanding Safety Educator of the Year, and bestow its highest distinction of Fellow on four exceptional leaders in occupational safety and health.

●  The event closes with an inspirational general session featuring Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, who believes life is defined by how you respond to adversity. He has experienced it all, from his achievement at the 1984 Winter Olympics to fighting childhood illness, a cancer diagnosis and multiple pituitary brain tumors.

About ASSP – Working together for a safer, stronger future
For more than 100 years, the American Society of Safety Professionals 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 38,000 professionals covers every industry, developing safety and health management plans that prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths. ASSP advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards and a professional community. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety, is a longtime leader in the field. Visit www.assp.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.