AIHce EXP 2023: New Location, Same Great Show

Located for the first time in Phoenix, this year’s May 22-24 AIHce EXP Conference and Exposition from AIHA will serve up a solid slate of educational sessions and opportunities to meet with vendors.

• By David Kopf, Alex Saurman
• May 01, 2023

Since 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has hosted its AIHce EXP Conference and Exposition (www.aihceexp.org) in a variety of cities around the United States, but this year marks the first time the event has come to Arizona’s “Urban Heart” of Phoenix. While the location might be different, attendees can expect to enjoy the same great educational offerings, special events and expo hall they have come to expect from the long-running event. 

Conference & Expo 

AIHce EXP 2023 will run from May 22 to May 24 at the Phoenix Convention Center, with professional development courses (PDCs) bookending the main conference on May 20, 21 and 25. Conference sessions run 10 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. MT on May 22, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT on May 23, and 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. MT on May 24. There are a wide variety of conference tracks and sessions held during the event, presented by a variety of experts. Additionally, the AIHA Educational Transcript provides proof of live participation in AIHce EXP and PDCs. For the main conference, each in-person attendee will have a transcript update indicating their verified participation for up to 18 contact hours. Virtual offerings for both conference sessions and PDCs are available. 

The show also developed some special education tracks: an Academic Track for IH/OH students and young professionals; a Climate Change Hazards and Risks Track to bring attention to climate change hazards and risks; a Laboratory Health and Safety Track for laboratory personnel and persons interested in improving their knowledge of sampling and laboratory testing and analysis; and a Total Worker Health Track to promote Total Worker Health practices in and out of the workplace. 

Also, 30-minute Research Roundups run May 22-24 to help attendees pack in additional education in a shorter time allotment, and a May 22 Sunset Session lets attendees follow an expert discussion in a more relaxed, interactive format. This year’s theme is “The Fellows SIG Debate - Is a Science or Engineering Degree Better for Becoming a CIH?” 

When it comes to the AIHce EXP expo hall, there are nearly 170 companies exhibiting at the show, showcasing a wide range of products and services. The expo hall is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. MT on May 22, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MT on May 23, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MT on May 24. 

Besides meeting with vendors, there are some other attractions on the show floor, starting with the annual Monday Night Networking Reception, which lets attendees start the night with some hors d’oeuvres, a free drink, and a great venue for networking. Attendees can also play the Pathway Passport challenge using the AIHce EXP mobile app, which lets them win prizes by visiting companies participating in the challenge. Other expo features include food and beverage areas and collaboration areas where attendees and rest and share ideas with peers. 

Opening & Closing Keynotes 

The event will feature two keynote speakers: NextSense Inc. Chief Scientist and Stanford University Adjunct Professor Poppy Crum, Ph.D., and Science Teacher Faridodin “Fredi” Lajvardi, who will respectively open and close the main conference. 

Kicking off the event, Crum’s opening session presentation, Optimizing Human Performance Through Technology, will focus on how developing technology in relation to “human and consumer applications.” Technology is changing and will bring positive results in many fields, like speed in treating patients, but Crum explained in a public statement from the AIHA that “this technology will advance, not replace human interactions and experiences.” The opening session will take place on May 22 at 8 a.m. MT. 

AIHce EXP 2023 will close with a session from Lajvardi. You may be familiar with Lajvardi if you’ve seen the movie “Spare Parts,” starring George Lopez. Lajvardi has been a high school teacher for longer than 30 years, and the robotics team he led participated in an underwater robotics competition and beat noteworthy competitors, such as MIT. His presentation will focus on the value of diversity and the important role it plays in educational influence, team settings, problem-solving and “building resilient, innovative organizations,” according to a public statement. The closing session will occur on May 24 at 3:30 p.m. MT. 

“We’re excited to welcome Poppy Crum and Fredi Lajvardi at AIHce EXP 2023,” said Alla Orlova, AIHA’s managing director of education and technical initiatives. “… We look forward to learning from them about how technology and diversity can help us make our workplaces and communities healthier.” 

Other Events 

AIHce EXP also offers some compelling special events and activities. Starting off, there is a pre-show First-Timers’ Orientation Webinar on May 10 and a Meet and Greet on May 22 to help new attendees familiarize themselves with the show and meet some peers. Additionally, the Personal AIHce EXP Liaison Program (PAL Program) connects new attendees and students with experienced AIHce EXP attendees to help newcomers improve their conference experience. 

To help attendees expand and enhance their show experiences, AIHce EXP is offering Technical Tours that provide off-site tours of various industries around Phoenix for an additional registration fee, and the return of the show’s Career Advantage Fair, which features sessions designed to help employers and OEHS professionals make important contacts in their career field. 

And, when it comes to healthy activities at the show, AIHce EXP is offering nine sessions on topics ranging from work-life balance, meditation, healthy eating and stress management, as well as special Namaste with AIHA yoga sessions for all levels on May 22, May 23 and May 24. Additionally, the 37th Annual AIHF Fun Run/Walk offers a 2.5K and 5K distance for walkers and runners looking to get in some steps while contributing to help the American Industrial Hygiene Foundation (AIHF) assist OEHS professionals in need. 

This article originally appeared in the April/May 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.