Shaping the Future of Occupational Safety: ASSP Launches Call for Speakers for Safety 2027
By Stasia DeMarco, Content Editor
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has officially signaled the start of its planning phase for its flagship annual event, announcing an open call for presenters for the Safety 2027 Conference + Expo. Scheduled to convene in the vibrant hub of New Orleans from June 7–9, 2027, the conference stands as the cornerstone event for the global environmental, health and safety (EHS) community. As the industry grapples with rapid technological shifts and evolving regulatory landscapes, this call for speakers represents a critical opportunity for practitioners to shape the discourse on the future of workplace safety.
The Core Mandate: Advancing the Profession
For safety professionals, the ASSP conference is more than just a gathering; it is the premier venue for knowledge exchange. With the call for proposals now open, the organization is inviting experts, researchers, and field practitioners to submit their educational sessions for consideration.
The application window, which opened on July 13, 2026, will remain active until September 8, 2026. During this period, prospective speakers are permitted to submit up to two distinct proposals. The ASSP’s objective is clear: to curate a program that balances cutting-edge theoretical innovations with the "boots-on-the-ground" practical applications that define modern safety management.
Strategic Submission Formats
To ensure a diverse and engaging learning experience, the ASSP is soliciting proposals in two primary formats:
- Lecture Sessions: These are designed as traditional, instructor-led presentations. They are ideal for deep dives into specific technical subjects, regulatory updates, or case studies that require a structured delivery of information.
- Industry Roundtables: Recognizing the value of collective intelligence, these sessions emphasize interactive, facilitated discussion. Roundtables allow for peer-to-peer collaboration, enabling attendees to troubleshoot common industry problems in a smaller, more intimate setting.
A Chronology of the Selection Process
The path to the stage in New Orleans is a rigorous, peer-reviewed journey. The timeline for the selection process has been structured to ensure the highest quality of content for the thousands of attendees expected to descend upon the city.
- Submission Phase (July 13, 2026 – Sept. 8, 2026): This is the window for experts to refine their topics, define their learning objectives, and submit their abstracts.
- Evaluation Period (September 2026 – January 2027): Once the portal closes, the heavy lifting begins. The Professional Development Conference Committee (PDCC), a body comprised of seasoned ASSP member volunteers representing a vast cross-section of industries and specialties, will undertake a comprehensive review of all submissions.
- Notification (Jan. 31, 2027): By the end of January, all applicants will receive official notification regarding the status of their proposals. This lead time allows for speakers to prepare their materials and for the ASSP to finalize the conference agenda.
Supporting Data: The Rising Tide of Industry Interest
The demand for a platform at the ASSP conference has never been higher. As the complexity of workplace risks increases—ranging from mental health challenges to the integration of generative AI in safety protocols—so too does the desire for professional validation and knowledge sharing.
In the most recent conference cycle, the ASSP received over 760 speaker proposals. This overwhelming interest underscores a trend of increasing professionalization within the safety field. Attendees are no longer looking for basic compliance checklists; they are seeking sophisticated strategies in areas such as:
- Artificial Intelligence: How machine learning is being used to predict injuries before they occur.
- Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF) Prevention: Moving beyond traditional lagging indicators to focus on high-consequence risk mitigation.
- Workforce Well-being: Expanding the definition of "safety" to include the psychological and emotional health of employees.
- Safety Culture: The behavioral science behind building an environment where safety is a core value rather than an administrative burden.
- Emergency Response and Environmental Issues: Strategies for managing crises in an increasingly volatile global climate.
With over 6,000 anticipated attendees and more than 700 exhibitors, the scale of Safety 2027 provides an unparalleled stage for those looking to influence the trajectory of the EHS profession.
Official Perspectives: The Value of Peer-to-Peer Wisdom
Monique Parker, CSP, President of the ASSP, emphasized the dual importance of innovation and inclusivity in her recent comments regarding the call for presenters.
"The Safety Conference + Expo is the industry’s premier event for safety professionals around the world," Parker stated. "As we look ahead to Safety 2027, I encourage my peers to share how they’re applying innovation and leading practices to address workplace challenges and reduce risk. Whether you’re new to the profession or a seasoned practitioner, there’s always valuable knowledge and insights to share to help advance the profession."
Parker’s message strikes a chord with the modern safety practitioner. In a field where the "cost of failure" can mean human life, the ability to learn from the experiences of others—both successes and "near-misses"—is the most effective tool in any safety manager’s arsenal. By inviting speakers from diverse backgrounds, the ASSP aims to break down the silos that often exist between industries, fostering a cross-pollination of ideas that can lead to universal improvements in safety standards.
The Broader Implications for the Safety Profession
The implications of the Safety 2027 Conference extend far beyond the three days of the event. When a professional presents at the ASSP, they are contributing to the collective body of knowledge that defines the "state of the art" in safety.
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice
One of the most significant challenges in the EHS sector is the gap between academic research and field implementation. The ASSP’s emphasis on both lecture sessions and roundtables is a strategic attempt to bridge this divide. By forcing a dialogue between researchers who study safety and practitioners who implement it, the conference creates a feedback loop that accelerates the adoption of safer technologies and more effective management systems.
Elevating the Role of the Safety Professional
As the global economy faces labor shortages and evolving workplace dynamics (such as the increase in remote and hybrid work environments), the role of the safety professional is shifting from that of a compliance officer to a strategic business partner. The topics identified in previous years—such as workforce well-being and AI-driven risk assessment—signal that the profession is moving toward a more holistic, data-driven, and human-centric model.
Networking as a Catalyst for Change
Beyond the educational sessions, the conference serves as a critical networking hub. The connections made in New Orleans often translate into lasting partnerships, mentorships, and collaborative projects that span decades. For a mid-career professional, presenting at the conference is not only a boost to their personal brand but a vital step in influencing the safety culture of their own organizations and the broader industry.
Call to Action: How to Participate
For those interested in contributing to this dialogue, the process is straightforward but requires careful preparation. Applicants are encouraged to visit the official ASSP website to review the submission guidelines, evaluate the focus areas for 2027, and prepare their abstracts.
The PDCC is specifically looking for proposals that offer:
- Actionable Insights: Attendees should leave the session with tools they can implement immediately.
- Evidence-Based Strategies: Proposals supported by data, case studies, or proven frameworks.
- Innovative Thinking: Approaches that challenge the status quo and offer new solutions to perennial safety problems.
As the industry moves toward 2027, the focus remains fixed on the ultimate goal: ensuring that every worker returns home safely every day. The Safety 2027 Conference + Expo promises to be the venue where the path toward that goal is paved with the collective experience, research, and passion of the global safety community.
Whether you are a veteran of the field with decades of experience or an emerging practitioner with fresh ideas, the ASSP is looking for your voice. The opportunity to contribute to the professional discourse is open—the only question is: what will you bring to the table in New Orleans?
About the Author: Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor, and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.
