What to EXPect & EXPerience at the AIHce EXPO

The AIHce EXPO takes place in Phoenix, at the Phoenix Convention Center, May 22-24, 2023.  There are various new and exciting things for AIHce EXPO attendees this year. This Q&A is a unique look ahead at what can be experienced in Phoenix or online at this jam-packed event.

Q. Let’s dive into it. Tell us about the keynote speakers lined up for 2023.

The opening keynote is Dr. Poppy Crum, Chief Scientist at NextSense Inc., and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University. Her presentation, “Optimizing Human Performance Through Technology,” will kick off the conference on May 22, at 8 a.m. Mountain Time and will explore the human and consumer applications of rapidly advancing technology.

Faridodin “Fredi” Lajvardi, a science teacher who, for over 30 years has taught in a predominantly Hispanic high school, will deliver the closing keynote session, “Diversity Is Key to Move the OEHS Agenda Forward,” on May 24 at 3:30 p.m. His presentation will demonstrate why diversity is key to igniting interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; building teams in which members support and motivate each other; and fueling creative innovation and problem-solving.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Crum and Lajvardi at AIHce EXP 2023, and we look forward to learning from them about how technology and diversity can help us make our workplaces and communities healthier.

Q. What are AIHA’s plans for people who cannot attend the conference in person?

AIHA will also offer a very robust virtual conference with up to five concurrent sessions per time block. And the virtual conference is not just for individuals who can’t make it to Phoenix. We have dozens of companies who buy group registrations and then assemble their teams at their offices to partake in the virtual event together.

Q. The AIHce EXP agenda notes that registration for the on-site or virtual conference comes with free AIHce OnDemand?  What is “AIHce OnDemand” and how does it benefit AIHce attendees?

Our education team and conference planning committee work hard to make AIHce an educational EXPerience where attendees can earn up to 18 certification maintenance (CM) contact hours. But deciding amongst our full on-site schedule, which includes 67 professional development courses, 155 education sessions, 24 research roundups, four poster sessions and 31 pop-up education sessions, can feel overwhelming.

Our team wanted to take the stress out of those decisions, which is why we’re offering all conference registrants access to AIHce OnDemand for free—whether you register to attend the conference virtually or in person, for the entire three days or only one day. With AIHce OnDemand, attendees will receive audio recordings synched to session presenters’ slides, available three-four weeks post-conference, through December 31, 2023.

The AIHce OnDemand option allows one to earn additional CM contact hours on top of the 18 available during the live conference event, giving on-site attendees more time to network, browse the Expo, and enjoy other events. (Note that a small percentage of sessions will be unavailable via OnDemand due to speaker permissions.)

Q. For many people, conference education sessions are perfect, but others want or need a deep dive on a particular subject. What does AIHA offer for those who want more interaction and more contact hours?

AIHce EXP hosts professional development courses (PDCs) before and after the conference (Saturday, May 20; Sunday, May 21; and Thursday, May 25). These courses are formalized learning experiences that, through in-depth instruction by field experts, enhance technical competence and provide practical tools and skills for the modern workplace. This year, we are offering 67 PDCs on-site, and 20 of these will also be available virtually for those who can’t attend in person.

Of course, there are also AIHA University eLearning courses available throughout the year that are suitable for busy professionals’ education needs.

Q. What are some activities or events that AIHce EXP attendees can look forward to?

There are activities that will keep on-site AIHce attendees busy at all times if they wish! For example, for newcomers, there will be a “Meet and Greet Breakfast” sponsored by DuPont on Monday, May 22, to provide an opportunity to network with other first-timers and plan their AIHce EXPerience.

The Nexus is a lounge designed exclusively for students and early career professionals. Attendees will be treated to a “Lessons in Leadership” series of meet and greets with our two keynote speakers, AIHA’s named award winners, board members, and volunteer group and committee members.

And, as in years past, there is also the Career Advantage Fair where attendees can take advantage of free counseling, resumé critiquing, access to job listings, interviewing and some fun activities, such as speed networking.

If you want to support a great cause but also stay active while at the convention center, there is the American Industrial Hygiene Foundation’s (AIHF) 5K Fun Run (or 2.5K walk) on Tuesday, May 23.

And then, of course, there’s the Expo, which will be packed with hundreds of vendors all excited to meet up in person; present what’s new and what’s next; and click glasses during the Expo Hall networking reception on Monday, May 22.

At the Expo, AIHce attendees can:

• Visit the Innovation Stations, to learn about the equipment, instrumentation, technology, and/or other materials and activities being developed by exhibitors.
• Check out the PPE Fashion Show for innovative solutions that will help create a successful safety program that addresses workforce diversity, ensures proper fit and provides maximum protection.
• Stop by the AIHA Booth to check out AIHA University’s conference discounts and learn about the latest AIHA initiatives and member benefits by visiting with AIHA staff or attending the Main Stage presentations.

To help attendees make the most of their EXPerience at AIHce EXP, we are introducing AIHce EXP Journey Maps, which offer suggested roadmaps to help attendees make the most of their time. There’s a Journey Map for each type of AIHce attendee: first-timers, students, early career professionals,  seasoned attendees and those joining us virtually. Each Journey Map is tailor-made to provide each respective audience with an overview of activities and events that would benefit them most.

We have so many new and exciting things for our AIHce EXP attendees this year! We look forward to seeing everyone in Phoenix or online May 22-24, 2023.