The 96th National Safety Council Congress & Expo is headed to Southern California this year, slated for September 19-26 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Conducted annually since 1912, the NSC Congress & Expo is ranked among the top 200 tradeshows in the nation by Tradeshow Week. It is the largest annual event in the world dedicated to the safety, health and environmental industries, according to the National Safety Council.

The well-established Congress & Expo is a forum where 16,000 industry colleagues — manufacturers and buyers of safety and health products and services — can meet and gain knowledge. The event includes renowned keynote speakers, technical sessions, professional development seminars, and the exposition, which features over 800 companies exhibiting EHS and security products and services.

Educational opportunities

The NSC Congress & Expo offers more than 140 technical sessions that extend from broad-based cross-discipline to industry-specific topics, providing attendees an excellent opportunity to sharpen their technical and professional skills, all under one roof. The technical sessions cover the full gamut of EHS categories and are selected by a team that has hands-on knowledge of the latest industry trends.

Registrants can gain in-depth knowledge by attending any of the one- to four-day professional development seminars. Over 35 seminars take place before and after the expo providing opportunities for attendees to focus on continued professional growth.

The many educational opportunities at NSC enable attendees to learn tools, tips and techniques that they can apply immediately in their workplace. Conference attendees will earn continuing education credits at both technical sessions and professional development seminars.

Of course, a lot of learning takes place among attendees as they simply network with industry peers. There will be numerous networking events available to both attendees and exhibitors, including: Golf Fore Safety Tour, Welcome Reception, Super Breaks, Award Banquets and more.

Walk the expo

The expo portion of NSC will run from September 22-24. Over the three days, more than 7,000 buyers will walk the show floor, according to NSC, visiting the more than 800 companies showcasing the latest EHS products and services. The show will encompass 190,000 square feet of exhibit space, and visitors can enhance their expo experience by browsing the New Product Showcase and Live Product Demonstrations.

Show attendees include: presidents and CEOs, safety directors & managers, fleet safety professionals, healthcare professionals, local/federal government, fire protection professionals, engineers, human resource managers, industrial hygienists, loss control experts, risk managers, plant managers, and more. According to NSC, there was a 49 percent increase in the CEO/COO/President/Owner category at last year’s show in Chicago.

A sampling of product interest includes personal protection equipment (PPE), transportation, construction, emergency response, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, occupational health and environmental protection. NSC expo hours are:

• Monday, Sept. 22, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 23, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Meet your host

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. The NSC is a membership organization, founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953. Members include more than 48,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals.

The organization’s mission is to “educate and influence people to prevent accidental injury and death.”

Outside the conference

Located in Orange County in Southern California, Anaheim is centrally located to a vast array of attractions that would appeal to a wide range of interests. Disneyland® Park, Disney’s California Adventure® and Downtown Disney® District are all just a few blocks from the Anaheim Convention Center. Other nearby attractions include the Discovery Science Center, Knott’s Berry Farm® Theme Park, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Universal Studios® Hollywood, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, Bowers Museum and The Wine Artist. Downtown Los Angeles is about a 45-minute ride.

There are loads of restaurants to choose from in the Anaheim area. One of the newer ones within walking distance of the convention center is Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., modeled after the hit movie Forrest Gump. Morton’s The Steakhouse, located one block from the convention center, added a new patio bar last summer offering show-goers a casual atmosphere and comfortable seating. Go to www.anaheimoc.org for a full slate of things to see and do in Orange County.

Show at a glance:

What: 2008 National Safety Council Congress & Expo
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif.
When: Congress: Sept. 19-26; Expo: Sept. 22-24
Hot Topic: Safety, Health and Environment

Contact info:
National Safety Council
1121 Spring Lake Drive
Itasca, IL 60143
(800) 621-7619
customerservice@nsc.org
www.congress.nsc.org
www.nsc.org

How to register: Visit http://www.congress.nsc.org (attendee registration for the 2008 Congress & Expo will open in April 2008).

Getting there: Three area airports service Orange County.
From Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA) (a 15-mile drive), take 55N to 5N, exit Katella, and turn left. Go to Harbor Blvd., turn left. Turn right on Convention Way. Anaheim Convention Center is straight ahead. Estimated taxi fare: $35 (one way).
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (a 35-mile drive), take 405S to Garden Grove Fwy. East, exit on Harbor North. Turn left on Convention Way. Anaheim Convention Center is straight ahead. Estimated taxi fare: $85 (one way).
From Long Beach Municipal Airport (LGB) (a 20-mile drive), take 405S to 22 E, exit on Harbor North. Turn right on Harbor, and left on Convention Way. Anaheim Convention Center is straight ahead. Estimated taxi fare: $45 (one way).