AIHce 2007: Great Event, Attendance Up 5 Percent
The most successful American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce) in several years, the 68th annual event in the series, wrapped up June 6 in Philadelphia with exhibitors pleased and optimistic about next year's meeting, which will be held at the downtown Minneapolis Convention Center. That facility boasts 480,000 square feet of exhibit space under copper domes--an unusual feature for a convention facility--and has good access from interstates 35W and 94.
Only three months after the May 31-June 5, 2008 meeting, Minneapolis will be in the international spotlight again when the 2008 Republican National Convention is held Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Co-sponsor AIHA said the 2007 AIHce attracted approximately 7,000 participants, which represents a 5 percent increase in professional attendees from the year before. Highlights included a keynote speech by Dr. Linda Rae Murray and an "AIHce Morning Show" hosted by ISHN Editor Dave Johnson and featuring OSHA chief Edwin Foulke Jr. and NIOSH chief Dr. John Howard. They answered Johnson's questions and other queries attendees had submitted by e-mail.
The Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia was perfectly sized and perfectly situated for this AIHce. AIHA said attendees from around the world gathered for it, with delegations coming from China, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Poland and India. The International Occupational Hygiene Association dinner and reception included presidents from international organizations in Australia, France, South Africa, and Finland, and attendees came from the Canadian Council of Occupational Hygiene, according to AIHA.
AIHce was an excellent event that bodes well for the IH industry's future.