The Theme of NSC 2021 Congress & Expo: Resilience
The NSC Congress & Expo kicked off in Orlando, Florida on Monday, October 11.
- By Sydny Shepard
- Oct 11, 2021
Safety professionals swarmed the halls of the Orange County Convention Center as The National Safety Council kicked off their 2021 Safety Congress & Expo on Monday, October 11 with an important conversation on a word that should be familiar to all professionals in the field: resilience.
During the Keynote, NSC CEO and President Lorraine Martin defined resilience as, "the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties." It’s a word that adequately defined the last 18 months as safety professionals maneuvered through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic changed everything,” Martin said. “But at the same time, traditional safety risks never went away. It can all be so overwhelming. However, it is important to remember that because of your work, there is one less patient in the hospital and less empty chairs at family dinner tables around the country.”
Martin is right. It is because of the work of the safety professional that workers around the country are able to return to their homes each night. It is also because of Congress and Expositions, like the NSC’s flagship event each year, that safety pros can take advantage of opportunities to continue their education and gain more safety knowledge.
In a key move from the NSC to show their resilience, they’ve offered the Congress to members in several different ways. For those that are attending the NSC Congress in person this year, they’ll have the opportunity to earn CEUs and network with professionals from all types of workplaces. Those who choose to enjoy the show virtually will also have the ability to further their safety education by logging on live streaming sessions from the Congress. For all who look to engage with NSC’s event, no matter how they choose to register—in-person or virtually, sessions will be available to view for 60 days after the Congress ends—a move highly appreciated by attendees as added value to their registration.
While “resilience” may be the unofficial theme of NSC’s Congress this year, it is also a great way to define the work of the safety professional. Celebrate your capacity to recover through the difficulties this field of work brings and pat yourself on the back for the hard work you’ve done through the most uncertain times of our lifetimes.
About the Author
Sydny Shepard is the former editor of Occupational Health & Safety.