Grand Rapids, MI
DeVos Place
Prior to the Great Depression, the Michigan Safety Conference was formed to help Michigan businesses, industry, and government reduce accidents, injuries, and property damage. The first conference took place in 1929 and presented safety-related seminars and displays to the public. Seven years later, in 1936, the second conference was held. Conference notes reveal the featured speaker was Gerald R. Ford Sr., father of President Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
The annual conference was alternated between Grand Rapids and Detroit for many years and in 1960, the conference was held in Lansing, where it was held until 2006. The conference is now rotated between Lansing and Grand Rapids. Today, more than 3,000 attendees make up the safety, health, and environmental employees who seek information on the latest techniques and equipment. The conference is organized and operated as a not-for-profit corporation. Membership is on a voluntary basis, with representatives from business, industry, education, labor, and government. In addition to the annual conference, the Michigan Safety Conference sponsors annual scholarships to assist students who are enrolled in occupational safety and health programs at accredited Michigan universities.