The American Society of Safety Professionals’ Safety21 Conference and Expo kicked off this morning in Austin, TX. Approximately 2,200 safety pros are here, with another 2,500 attending virtually online, according to Blaine Krage, ASSP senior media relations specialist.

Blaine said most attendees, about 1,500, came to the convention center and registered on Sunday to avoid the Monday morning crowds. ASSP is requiring proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result with 48 hours of arrival for entry to the conference, and face coverings are required to be worn indoors.

ASSP conferences have averaged about 5-6,000 attendees in recent years, so the combined in-person and online registrants (including 175 expo only registrants) of 4,900 this year is in line with the usual attendance.

ASSP has more than 36,000 members. Bradley D. Giles became the 107th president of the association in July. He is principal of the consulting firm Bradley Giles and Associates. ASSP was founded in 1911, months after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, which killed 146 workers.