Sparking Tradition With Invention at AIHce 2007 in Philadelphia

FAIRFAX, VA — Thousands of industrial hygienists and occupational and environmental health and safety professionals are expected to attend the 68th annual American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, which continues its long history as the primary source for learning and networking for the profession.

With an exciting new mix of education, history, and entertainment this is one conference you definitely do not want to miss.

Taking place in Philadelphia, a city steeped with tradition, OEHS professionals from around the globe will meet to discover ways to reinvent a profession that will be in the forefront of responding to 21st century issues. The city lends its history as the birthplace of tradition, revolution, and invention to stimulate the discussion of how traditional practices will blend with modern-day discoveries.

Being held from June 2–7 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, conference-goers will find the latest science-based solutions for protecting workers and their health, and they also will hear plenty of practical advice on business-related issues that IHs and OEHS professionals face every day. Among the hundreds of hands-on educational opportunities offered, participants will have the chance to earn up to 6.5 CM points, attend 74 weekend professional development courses (PDCs), 40 educational tracks, including an early career and student track, 119 technical sessions, podium sessions, roundtables, environmental health and safety (EHS) crossover programs, technical tours, and poster sessions.

The Weekend Line Up

Saturday and Sunday, prior to the start of the main conference programs, attendees can take advantage of two days worth of great learning experiences featuring in-depth PDCs. These full- and half-day courses showcase up-to-the-minute topics ranging from pandemic and avian influenza preparedness to biosafety to nanotechnology. Other educational programming topics to be covered are emergency response and preparedness, leadership and communication skills, ergonomics, international issues, ethics, exposure assessment strategies, indoor environmental quality, and safety.

Once again this year, AIHce will address the wonders and worries of nanotechnology at the symposium June 2. What is known and what can be done about clandestine methamphetamine laboratories is the subject of a new symposium set to occur June 3. Back by popular demand, the conference provides a science symposium on airborne infectious diseases, “Ask the Expert” Q&A-based sessions, and two emerging issues forums.

Two new certification opportunities were added to the special courses program. One is a certified hazardous materials manager (CHMM) national overview course scheduled June 1–3, and the other is a look at managing time, “Time Management in an Age of Turbulence,” which is offered June 3. Other educational enhancements are a three-day certified safety professional (CSP) exam prep course, June 1–3; “Improving Communication Effectiveness for the IH Manager and OEHS Professional,” part of AIHA’s two-course management certificate program, June 2–3; “Finance for the Nonfinancial Manager,” another part of AIHA’s two-course management certificate program, June 2–3; and a laboratory accreditation course, June 3–4.

Speakers Lead the Way

Steven Uzzell, former National Geographic photographer, will officially open the conference Monday, June 4, with his discussion “Open Roads Open Minds: An Exploration of Creative Problem Solving.” Uzzell inspires his audiences to make any venture an adventure. Don’t miss this unique presentation as this award-winning photographer weaves his message using 185 striking photographs from 42 states and 17 countries.

Tuesday, June 5, the general session introduces Linda Rae Murray, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of primary care and community health at the Ambulatory and Community Health Network of Cook County, Chicago. In her presentation, “Public Health in the Workplace – Sparking Tradition With Invention,” Murray will share her expertise and insight regarding the impact of social, economic, and political changes on worker health and safety. She has more than 30 years experience in occupational and environmental health, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Wednesday, June 6, the general session will be different from years past. Dave Johnson, editor of Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, will host an innovative new program, based upon the ever popular television talk show format. His guests will include Edwin G. Foulke Jr., assistant secretary of labor of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and John Howard, MD, director of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Johnson’s provocative discussion will focus on questions emailed by attendees in advance of AIHce through an interactive section of the AIHce website. After the program ends, the show will continue in a smaller room as an “Ask the Expert” session.

Innovative Educational Opportunities

New to this year’s docket is a cutting-edge IH chat room. This interactive session, Monday, June 4, is designed to share strategies in building trust. The goal is to offer real-life examples of how IH professionals have built and maintained credibility, which then enabled them to communicate effectively under fire. Five dynamic, experienced IH professionals will share their stories, followed by a fast-paced discussion focused on solution generation by all participants.

Also back by popular demand, the IH Mysteries Workshop, June 5, will present several case studies involving IH fieldwork. Technical tours explore IH issues in realistic learning situations led by practicing IHs or safety experts. Technical tours will be at the Philadelphia Forensic Science Center, the Dupont Haskell Laboratory, the Aker Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Medco Health Solutions, Valero Energy Corporation, The Wistar Institute, Christiana Hospital, and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge Walking Tour.

Experts form around the world convene to renew their professional contacts, refresh their skills, and recharge their knowledge of what it takes to be a successful OEHS professional in today’s constantly evolving environment. The CareerAdvantage Job Fair, June 4–6, is where careers and candidates come together. It will provide invaluable opportunities to maximize exposure for both companies searching for employees and job seekers searching for new jobs or looking to start new careers.

These top-notch programs are being set up against the unique backdrop of Philadelphia, a city with the greatest concentration of American history alongside modern-day, big city excitement. Nearly 92% of previous conference-goers rate the educational program at AIHce as “good or excellent” for their professional development needs.

Come to spark the dialogue that will shape the way in which OEHS professionals will embrace today’s issues. Linking tradition with invention, AIHce 2007 will lead the path for groundbreaking discoveries of tomorrow. Don’t miss the best education program of the year! Register by May 9 to avoid more expensive on-site rates.

For more information regarding AIHce 2007, including a schedule of PDCs, education sessions, and registration, visit www.aihce2007.org or contact AIHA at (703) 849-8888. On-site registration begins Friday, June 1, at 4 p.m.