Inside ASSP Safety 2026: AI, Innovation and the Next Era of Workplace Safety

The annual conference and expo, taking place June 15–17 in Anaheim, will bring together EHS professionals for sessions on AI, emerging safety technologies, leadership and operational resilience.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• May 18, 2026

ASSP Safety 2026 will bring thousands of occupational safety and health professionals to Anaheim, Calif., June 15–17 for a wide-ranging program focused on emerging workplace hazards, evolving safety technologies, leadership development and industry collaboration.

Hosted by the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the annual Professional Development Conference and Exposition continues to grow as organizations across industries confront increasingly complex operational risks tied to artificial intelligence, workforce changes, automation, mental health concerns and serious injury prevention.

This year’s event will combine more than 200 education sessions, keynote presentations, networking activities and a large-scale expo floor featuring hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest workplace safety products and technologies.

According to ASSP, conference programming will address topics including AI in workplace safety, operational resilience, serious injury and fatality prevention, risk management, safety culture, industrial hygiene, workforce development and mental health in the workplace.

Industry leaders say the conference reflects the growing evolution of the EHS profession as organizations move beyond traditional compliance-focused safety programs toward more integrated approaches centered on risk management, data analysis, worker well-being and organizational resilience.

The conference’s education sessions are expected to draw safety professionals from manufacturing, construction, utilities, oil and gas, transportation, government and other sectors seeking practical solutions to evolving workplace challenges.

A major focus this year will be the expanding role of artificial intelligence and connected technologies in occupational safety programs. Employers are increasingly exploring AI-powered hazard identification systems, predictive analytics, wearable monitoring devices and automated safety management tools designed to improve visibility into operational risks before incidents occur.

At the same time, many organizations continue to evaluate how these technologies affect worker training, human-machine interaction and overall operational oversight.

ASSP officials said the conference is designed to help organizations balance innovation with effective worker protection strategies.

The expo portion of the conference is expected to feature more than 700 exhibitors across approximately 135,000 square feet of exhibit space. Vendors will showcase technologies and services related to PPE, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, heat stress prevention, fire protection, connected worker platforms, automation systems and risk management solutions.

Exhibitors are also expected to highlight wearable technologies, AI-assisted monitoring systems and tools designed to improve incident prevention and workforce communication.

Conference organizers noted that many exhibitors will bring technical specialists and engineers to discuss practical implementation challenges and compliance considerations directly with attendees.

The expo floor will also include flash sessions, demonstrations and networking opportunities intended to help attendees evaluate new technologies and compare operational strategies with peers across industries.

ASSP’s annual conference has continued to expand in both attendance and exhibit space as organizations place greater emphasis on operational resilience, workforce protection and safety leadership.

Beyond the educational and technology-focused programming, networking and collaboration remain central components of the event.
The conference will feature a variety of networking activities including roundtable discussions, community meetups, leadership sessions and peer-to-peer conversations facilitated by ASSP Practice Specialties and Common Interest Groups.

According to ASSP, these discussions are intended to help attendees exchange ideas around leadership, risk management, workforce engagement and practical safety solutions.

The conference will also incorporate wellness-oriented activities such as meditation sessions and morning yoga programs, reflecting the growing emphasis on mental health, resilience and worker well-being within the EHS profession.

Industry experts have increasingly recognized that workplace safety extends beyond physical hazards to include stress, fatigue, burnout and organizational culture.

Networking events throughout the conference are expected to provide attendees with opportunities to discuss how companies are adapting to changing workforce expectations, evolving regulatory pressures and new operational risks.

Leadership development will also play a major role during the conference’s keynote and general session programming.

Featured speakers include workplace culture strategist Liz Wiseman, known for her work on leadership and organizational performance, and innovation speaker Kyle Scheele, whose presentation will focus on creativity and problem-solving in professional environments.

Former Jamaican Olympian and original bobsled team member Devon Harris is also scheduled to speak on resilience, persistence and overcoming adversity.

ASSP officials said the conference’s leadership-focused programming is intended to help safety professionals strengthen communication skills, improve workforce engagement and navigate organizational change more effectively.

The event comes at a time when many organizations are reevaluating workplace safety strategies amid rapid technological transformation, workforce shortages and growing attention to serious injury prevention.

EHS professionals are also facing increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable safety performance improvements while supporting broader organizational goals tied to productivity, operational continuity and employee well-being.

As a result, conferences such as ASSP Safety 2026 continue to serve as important forums for sharing emerging best practices, evaluating new technologies and discussing how the role of workplace safety is evolving across industries.

Organizers expect the combination of education sessions, technology demonstrations, leadership programming and networking opportunities to provide attendees with a comprehensive view of the trends shaping the future of occupational safety and health.