AIHA Connect 2026 to Spotlight Technology, Human Performance and Interactive Learning
Expo innovations, hands-on demonstrations and keynote sessions will highlight how data, AI and workforce trends are reshaping occupational health and safety
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Apr 06, 2026
As artificial intelligence, data integration and emerging technologies continue to reshape the workplace, AIHA Connect 2026—scheduled for June 1–3 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans—will highlight both the human and technological dimensions of that shift through keynote presentations, hands-on demonstrations and an increasingly interactive conference experience.
The event is expected to bring together occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professionals for a mix of technical education, product discovery and peer engagement.
Expo Highlights Focus on Technology, Data Integration
Featuring more than 200 exhibitors, the Expo will serve as a hub for exploring new tools, equipment and services aimed at addressing workplace hazards and improving health outcomes.
This year’s Expo reflects a growing shift toward connected technologies and data-driven decision-making. Exhibitors are expected to highlight solutions that go beyond traditional exposure assessment, focusing on systems that integrate data collection, analysis and actionable insights.
A key feature of the Expo will be Innovation Stations, where exhibitors will present short, focused sessions on new products and emerging technologies. These presentations are designed to give attendees a quick, practical look at developments in monitoring equipment, software platforms and worker protection strategies.
Organizers are also introducing a new exhibitor pavilion to highlight first-time participants, signaling continued growth and new market entrants in the OEHS space.
The Expo will also integrate educational content directly into the show floor, including main stage presentations and live-streamed sessions, blending product discovery with professional development.
Hands-On Events, Networking Drive Engagement
Beyond the Expo floor, AIHA Connect 2026 is placing a strong emphasis on experience-driven programming designed to engage attendees and provide practical takeaways.
Live confined space and work-at-height rescue demonstrations are expected to be among the most visible attractions, showcasing real-world emergency response techniques such as fall protection systems and rope-based rescues.
These demonstrations offer attendees a closer look at high-risk scenarios and the application of safety protocols in dynamic environments.
The conference is also expanding its approach to learning, with bite-sized presentations, research roundups and specialized tracks addressing topics such as Total Worker Health and emerging workplace risks.
Interactive activation areas, networking lounges and informal gathering spaces will be incorporated throughout the venue to encourage collaboration and connection.
Networking opportunities will extend beyond the show floor. A Monday evening reception will anchor the social calendar, while additional meetups and orientation sessions will help attendees build connections across the OEHS community.
Additional activities include the AIHF Fun Run/Walk, technical tours and a Career Advantage Fair focused on professional development and recruiting.
Keynotes to Address Brain Science, Future of Work
At the center of the conference are keynote presentations from neuroscientist David Eagleman and futurist Tom Koulopoulos, who will frame the broader conversation around how work is changing—and what that means for worker health and safety.
Eagleman will deliver the opening keynote on Monday, June 1, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. His session, “This Is Your Brain On… How the Brain Interprets Data, Adapts to AI, and Responds to Emerging Sensory Technologies,” will explore how the human brain processes information and adapts to rapidly evolving technologies.
The closing keynote, scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., will be delivered by Tom Koulopoulos, founder of the Delphi Group. His presentation, “The Future of Work,” will focus on how organizations can navigate economic disruption, workforce transformation and the growing role of automation and digital technologies.
Together, the keynote sessions underscore a central theme of AIHA Connect 2026: balancing technological advancement with human performance and well-being.
Looking Ahead
With extended Expo hours, integrated learning and a clear shift toward interactive programming, AIHA Connect 2026 is positioning itself as more than a traditional conference.
Instead, it offers a combination of technical insight, hands-on experience and peer engagement aimed at helping safety professionals navigate a rapidly evolving workplace—one increasingly shaped by data, technology and new approaches to worker health.