Shaping the Future of IH
AIHce EXP to Tackle Current and Emerging Topics

BY KAY BECHTOLD
AIHce EXP, the premiere conference focused on the trends, developments, and research affecting worker health, is less than two months away. Just before Memorial Day, thousands of industrial hygienists and occupational and environmental health and safety professionals will head to the “City of Brotherly Love” for AIHce EXP 2018, which will take place May 21–23. Philadelphia, Pa., will play host to AIHce for the fifth time in the conference’s 78-year history. The city’s rich past provides an appropriate backdrop for this year’s conference, which will focus on “health, safety, and the pursuit of the next generation.”
FIVE-TIME HOST CITY
Consider arriving early or staying a couple of extra days to experience Philadelphia, from the Historic District (where you’ll find the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall) to the waterfront at Penn’s Landing. Explore the city’s museums, music and art venues, architectural landmarks, and other historical attractions. You also don’t want to forget to grab an authentic Philly cheesesteak while you’re in town. The Visit Philadelphia
website
has detailed advice on how to order one of these iconic sandwiches. Hint: be as concise as possible. Most locals can order in just three words.
BIG TOPICS
Opening keynote speaker Rich Karlgaard, Forbes magazine editor-at-large, will challenge the attendees of this year’s AIHce EXP to think differently about the future of the work force and worker health. Karlgaard, a respected forecaster who offers a unique vantage point on the trends driving business and economic climates, will discuss the trends affecting the IH and OEHS professions during his Monday-morning presentation, “Three Megatrends and Four Best Practices That Will Shape Your Business Future.” On Tuesday morning, a panel discussion will help raise awareness about opioids, the addiction crisis, and precautions first responders must take when responding to medical emergencies and investigating illicit drug activity. AIHA Past President Steven E. Lacey will moderate a panel of experts who will provide information on how industrial hygiene professionals can support the development and implementation of exposure controls and educational materials for first responders. Panelists scheduled to appear include AIHA Treasurer-elect Donna S. Heidel, author of the November 2017
Synergist
article “
The Opioid Abuse Epidemic
;” Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel; Kemp Chester, associate director of the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy; and NIOSH Director John Howard. After the success of AIHce’s first-ever closing session last year, the conference will again feature a speaker who will get attendees thinking about all the information they’ve gleaned from previous education sessions and prepare them to head home with even more ideas to apply in their workplaces. Col. Kirk Phillips of the U.S. Air Force will present “Total Exposure Health: A Revolutionary Way to Think of Exposure and Primary Prevention,” which will bring the main conference program to an end on Wednesday afternoon, May 23. Col. Phillips oversees the Air Force’s occupational and environmental health policies. In 2014, he launched a total exposure health initiative in the Air Force to institutionalize primary prevention in work, environmental, and lifestyle exposures. More information on AIHce EXP’s opening, general, and closing sessions is available on the conference
website
. Though the main conference programming ends on Wednesday, professional development courses will be offered on Thursday, May 24, as well as the weekend preceding AIHce EXP, May 19 and 20. Search all education programming in the AIHce EXP
agenda
. Every year, attendees want to know how many certification maintenance credits they can earn at AIHce. Participants will receive credit for each education session they attend from Monday through Wednesday, but the earning potential doesn’t end there. For the second year in a row, all full-conference registrants will receive free access to AIHce On Demand through December 2018. Attendees can earn more contact hours by viewing additional session recordings and submitting evaluations long after they’ve returned home from Philadelphia. Learn more about
CM credit
.
LATEST PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The Expo at AIHce EXP will feature a full house of exhibitors representing products and services related to exposure assessment, indoor air quality, personal protective equipment, and more. In addition to providing opportunities to network and connect with suppliers, customers, and business partners between education sessions, the Expo will again showcase what’s new and innovative in the industry. Presentations at the Expo’s Learning Pavilions will demonstrate the use of equipment, instrumentation, or technology and teach attendees new skills or applications. The New Exhibitor Pavilion, located near the entrance of the exhibit hall, gives attendees the opportunity to meet with AIHce EXP’s first-time exhibitors.  Veteran attendees of the conference will remember that the Expo also offers a great chance to win prizes. This year, attendees can visit participating exhibitors with their “Pathway Passport” to collect stamps before entering their Passport in a grand prize drawing at the AIHA booth, #1039.  The Expo Hall Networking Reception will take place on Monday evening from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., allowing attendees time to mingle with colleagues, exhibitors, and AIHA leadership over beverages. AIHA staff will also be on hand to answer questions.
DIRECT TO DESKTOP
Individuals and groups unable to attend the conference in person can participate online via the AIHce EXP Virtual Conference, which is also eligible for CM credit. AIHce EXP Virtual registration includes a multi-track session broadcast, opportunities to submit questions for presenters, and the ability to interact with other virtual attendees via chat.  This year’s virtual attendees will be able to choose between three concurrent sessions streaming during each session block. Virtual attendees will also be able to watch interviews with award winners, presenters, and other special guests conducted by AIHA’s on-air hosts. Like registration for the full conference, full virtual registration includes post-conference access to AIHce On Demand.  Separate registration fees apply for three PDCs that will also be live-streamed as part of AIHce EXP Virtual. Virtual PDC topics include an introduction to toxicology, the art and science of analyzing risk, and qualitative risk analysis.  View the full virtual
schedule
SEE YOU SOON
Want to learn more about AIHce EXP? Visit the conference website,
www.aihce2018.org
, or check out the conference blog, AIHce EXP Digest, for an even closer look at what’s in store this year.  
KAY BECHTOLD
is senior editor of
The Synergist
. She can be reached at (703) 846-0737 or via
email
.

Preview the Expo
With more than 225 exhibitors showcasing their products and services at AIHce EXP, a visit to the AIHce Expo is ideal for evaluating the latest products and technology; networking with experts from the local, national, and global IH/OH community; and discussing emerging trends in protecting worker health.  Among the exhibitors are some of AIHce’s valued sponsors, including MSA, SiteHawk, Nanozen, and SGS Galson. AIHA thanks these companies for their support in making AIHce EXP one of the most anticipated OEHS events of the year. To see a full list of exhibitors, visit the AIHce EXP 2018
Exhibitor Directory
. Attendees can create a free “My Show Planner” account to search exhibitors, preview the Expo floor plan, and add and organize personal appointments and meetings.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit the AIHce EXP
website
to learn more.