Meeting at the Crossroads

AAOHN members are sure to have an enchanting time at the conference, which will be held in a "palace" nestled between two majestic mountains.

• By Marc Barrera
• Apr 01, 2008

Salt Palace Convention Center

Once the junction of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads on a joining a transcontinental route that opened the doors to the American West, Salt Lake City (often referred to as the "Crossroads of the West") will play host this month to another kind of meeting--that of thousands of occupational nursing professionals at the 2008 AAOHN Symposium & Expo. Its dates are April 25-May 1 at the city's Salt Palace Convention Center.

Continuing its long record of enhancement and expansion, the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, is adding three new pre-symposium certificate programs to this year's event. Limited to 40 participants each, two three-day programs ("Safety Management" and "Physical Assessment--Putting It All Together") and one two-day program ("Practical Ergonomics") will offer 18 and 12 contact hours, respectively. This is in addition to the event's six full-day and 25 half-day pre-symposium workshops and 35 concurrent sessions that will be spread over eight time slots.

Distinguished Guests
This year's lineup of speakers promises to provide many chances for attendees to sit in on informative, high-profile presentations. The AAOHN Annual Business/Recognition Meeting form 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 29, will feature speeches by AAOHN President Richard Kowalski and Executive Director Ann Cox.

The following day, April 30, will include a speech by OSHA head Edwin G. Foulke Jr. at the Catherine Dempsey Lecture from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Ballroom A-D. This will be followed shortly thereafter with a Presidents Forum from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in which Kowalski will informally meet with members to answer questions and talk about the vision and actions of AAOHN.

This year's Closing Keynote General Session will be presented by John Izzo, Ph.D., a critically acclaimed author whose books include the internationally best-selling "Awakening Corporate Soul: Four Paths to Unleash the Power of People at Work." His presentation is titled "The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die" and will take place on Thursday, May 1, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Ballroom A-D.

This conference is a golden opportunity for occupational nurses to learn and network with fellow colleagues. Both needs are accommodated during the formal Symposium and Expo ribbon-cutting ceremony April 29 at 4:30 p.m.. This will be followed by a reception where attendees can meet with more than 100 exhibitors.

Sights and Sounds of Salt Lake City
Upon your arrival in Salt Lake City, the two mountain ranges visible in the distance are the Wasatch in the east and the Oquirrhs in the west. If these views have you experiencing a bit of cabin fever, the best medicine may be to take a ride on one of the many planned event tours. Several of the scheduled outings are sure to garner interest from Olympics enthusiasts as many six-hour tours, costing $50 to attend, will make stops at Utah Olympic Park, site of many of the jumping events in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Participants may tour the Olympic museum on site, which will be followed by lunch in the town of Park City, where guests will be given special coupon books to use while shopping at the Park City Factory Outlet Mall.

Several five-hour bus tours are planned through some of the city's most historic and prestigious landmarks. Destinations include the Olympic fountain, the Tabernacle, the Mormon temple, the mansions of South Temple Street, and more.

History buffs who want a more personal tour of their lineage can explore their roots at the world's largest genealogy library. A 1.5-hour visit with a professional genealogist will cost $55; this is available any day, but interested parties must contact AAOHN ahead of the event at 770-455-7757 or www.aaohn.org to make appointments and receive pertinent forms.

Of course, no trip would be complete without sampling the local scene--and what better and safer way to go than with AAOHN's "Pub Crawl" limousine service. From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Monday, April 28, and Thursday, May 1, for $12 per person with a 50 person sign-up minimum, a limo will shuttle non-stop between four of the most popular spots in town. Participants will be able to bar-hop all night unimpeded while being assured a safe ride around town and back to their hotel whenever they choose. Just remember to hang on to all those receipts as you rack up all those "business expenses."

Expo Hours
Tuesday, April 29, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 30, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. [OHS endbug]

Marc Barrera is Associate Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Pull quotes:
When you arrive in Salt Lake City, the two mountain ranges visible in the distance are the Wasatch in the east and the Oquirrhs in the west.

History buffs who want a more personal tour of their lineage can explore their roots at the world's largest genealogy library. Make sure to arrange this visit in advance through AAOHN.