VPPPA Wraps 40th Anniversary Safety+ Symposium
The 2024 VPPPA Safety+ Symposium marked its 40th year, drawing safety professionals from across industries.
- By David Kopf
- Sep 03, 2024
The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) has concluded the 40th edition of its annual Safety+ Symposium, which ran Aug. 25-28 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colo. The milestone event brought together safety professionals from various industries with the shared mission of creating safer workplaces.
This year’s symposium built on its four-decades-long legacy with a comprehensive lineup of workshops, sessions, and networking events designed to empower occupational health and safety professionals with the tools they need to protect their workplaces.
Workshops at the symposium covered a wide array of safety topics, offering both foundational and advanced insights. Sessions included deep dives into incident investigation, storytelling in safety culture, and the impact of evolving marijuana laws on workplace safety. The educational content was tailored to address the specific needs and challenges faced by safety professionals, ensuring attendees left with actionable strategies to implement in their own organizations.
The expo hall, which officially opened with a grand reception on Sunday, Aug. 25, featured more than 150 vendors showcasing the latest innovations in personal protective equipment (PPE), safety technologies, and ergonomic solutions. This expo provided attendees with hands-on opportunities to explore new products and solutions while engaging with industry leaders and peers.
Keynote presentations were a highlight of the event, featuring speakers who brought inspiration and insight to the forefront of workplace safety. On Monday, Aug. 26, Ben Nemtin, a no. 1 New York Times bestselling author, delivered an opening keynote about overcoming challenges and pursuing personal and professional goals. The symposium concluded with a keynote by six-time Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken Rouen, who shared her journey of pushing beyond limits, encouraging safety professionals to do the same in their work.
Networking was a core focus of the VPPPA’s 2024 Safety+ Symposium, with multiple opportunities for attendees to connect and build lasting relationships. Events like the Expo Hall Grand Opening Reception, the Regional Annual Meeting of the Membership, and the Closing Night Reception provided a relaxed atmosphere for safety professionals to exchange ideas and collaborate on enhancing safety practices.
At the conclusion of this year’s Safety+ Symposium, attendees departed the 40-year edition with new insights, connections, and a renewed commitment to workplace safety.
About the Author
David Kopf is the publisher and executive editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.