ASSE marks its 100th anniversary with recordbreaking annual conference
For the first time in its 100-year history, the Des Plaines, Illinois-based American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) annual professional development conference (PDC) and exposition, Safety 2011, will be held in Chicago June 12-15 at McCormick Place - and it is already breaking records.
Last year’s ASSE PDC in Baltimore, Maryland, set a record when 62,000 square feet of exhibit space was sold representing more than 400 exhibitors. This was the largest number of exhibitors and square feet sold since the first ASSE PDC held in 1968. This year, three months before the conference, ASSE has already sold 60,800 square feet and is already planning to expand. The conference, which draws attendees from around the world, also draws international exhibitors. To date, companies from China, U.K., Taiwan, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, Korea, India, Japan and Canada will exhibit products and services.
ASSE officials also announced that Jim Cornelison, the famed Chicago Blackhawks (National Hockey League) national anthem singer, will open the conference’s June 13 general session. Cornelison is an opera singer trained at Indiana University and the Chicago Lyric and has performed the classics around the world.
As part of Safety 2011 and ASSE’s year-long celebration of a century of safety, the Society will also be host to a special 100th Anniversary Gala celebration at Navy Pier Monday, June 13. During the conference, attendees will also hear about the state of the Society and ASSE’s vision for the next 100 years of safety.