WHAT:  ASSP’s Safety 2020 Professional Development Conference and Exposition, a global workplace safety event with professionals from 40 countries participating as presenters, exhibitors and attendees.

WHERE:  Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive in Orlando. The convention center is the nation’s second-largest convention facility, with four hotels connecting directly to the convention center. Orlando is the well-known home to Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios Florida.

WHEN:  Tuesday, June 23, to Thursday, June 25.

WHY:  The conference is a valuable educational and networking experience attended by over 5,500 occupational safety and health professionals who learn about best practices, industry trends and the latest product innovations. The exposition will feature more than 600 companies from the occupational safety and health field. 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 all three days of the conference in the exhibit hall area.

MORE INFO:  Journalists can get a flavor of the event and see everything the conference and exposition have to offer in the online Safety 2020 brochure. Also, ASSP has secured discounted rates at a group of Orlando hotels.

●  ASSP will honor its 2020 Safety Professional of the Year and Outstanding Safety Educator of the Year, and bestow its highest distinction of Fellow on several exceptional leaders in occupational safety and health.

●  Society leadership will shift gears as new ASSP President Deborah Roy takes the reins of the world’s oldest professional safety organization in 2020-21. During a career that spans more than 35 years, Roy has transitioned from an occupational health nurse to a small consulting firm owner to a corporate executive on the leading edge of safety. She was honored as an ASSP Fellow in 2018 for her significant contributions to the profession.

●  Emergency management and security is a growing area of importance in all industries. Sessions that will help safety professionals reduce risk at work include S5004 “Does Your Safety Plan End With ‘Call 9-1-1’?”; S5006 “Security: The Rising Safety Risks”; S5105 “The Hazardous Truth: Case Study of an Environmental Disaster”; and S7005 “Ready. Set. But Are You Ready to Go? Emergency Preparedness and Management.”

●  Ethics and human behavior affect how all companies manage safety. Sessions that will help safety professionals address these issues include S5001 “Ethics, Compliance and Engagement: A Case Study”; S5008 “Creating a Culture of Speaking Up” (safety intervention); S6015 “Working High: Practical Approach to Managing Marijuana”; and S7016 “Just a Second Ago: The Impact of Unsafe Work Acts on Your Family.”

●  Two plenary town halls will tackle key safety topics. One session will examine emerging tech trends where panelists discuss the pros and cons of incorporating wearables, robotics and predictive analytics into a safety program. In the second plenary session, panelists will analyze diversity and inclusion as a critical talent and growth issue that impacts productivity, profitability and safety.

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 39,000 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.