ASSP Safety 2026 to Highlight Networking, Leadership and Industry Collaboration
The annual safety conference in Anaheim will feature networking events, wellness activities and keynote sessions focused on leadership, resilience and workplace innovation.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- May 15, 2026
ASSP Safety 2026 will place a strong emphasis on networking, leadership development and community engagement as thousands of occupational safety and health professionals gather in Anaheim, Calif., June 15–17 for the organization’s annual Professional Development Conference and Exposition. The event will feature a wide range of networking activities, wellness sessions and keynote presentations designed to help attendees build professional connections while exploring emerging workplace safety challenges.
According to ASSP, networking events will include interactive roundtables, community meetups, expo-floor activities, and career advancement sessions to foster collaboration among safety professionals across industries, including manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, utilities, and government. Facilitated by ASSP Practice Specialties and Common Interest Groups, the roundtables are designed to encourage peer discussions around operational challenges, leadership strategies and practical safety solutions.
The conference will also feature wellness-oriented networking activities, including guided meditation sessions hosted by Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) and morning yoga sessions to help attendees recharge. ASSP said the programming reflects the organization’s growing focus on worker well-being, mental health and leadership resilience within the EHS profession.
Lunchtime meetups in the expo hall will provide attendees with opportunities to connect directly with ASSP communities, learn about volunteer leadership opportunities and exchange ideas with peers who share similar professional interests. Organizers said the expo itself will serve as a major networking hub featuring more than 700 exhibitors, flash sessions and interactive demonstrations tied to workplace safety technology and operational risk management.
The conference’s general sessions will spotlight keynote speakers focused on leadership, organizational culture, innovation and personal resilience. According to ASSP, keynote presenters will include workplace culture strategist Liz Wiseman, known for her work on leadership and organizational performance, and speaker Kyle Scheele, whose presentation will focus on creativity and innovation in professional environments. Former Jamaican Olympian and original bobsled team member Devon Harris will also appear, sharing perspectives on persistence, resilience and overcoming adversity.
ASSP officials said the conference is designed to combine education, networking and leadership development as organizations continue adapting to rapid changes involving AI, workforce dynamics, operational risk and evolving safety expectations.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.