Shaping the Future of Workplace Safety: ASSP Opens Call for Presenters for Safety 2027
By Stasia DeMarco, Content Editor
The landscape of workplace safety is evolving at an unprecedented pace. As emerging technologies, shifting labor demographics, and new regulatory challenges redefine how we approach occupational hazards, the need for a unified, knowledge-sharing community has never been more critical. The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has officially signaled its commitment to this evolution by opening the call for presenters for its flagship event, Safety 2027 Conference + Expo.
Scheduled to take place from June 7–9, 2027, in the vibrant city of New Orleans, the conference serves as the industry’s premier gathering point. For those looking to influence the trajectory of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards, the window to contribute has officially opened.
The Call for Expertise: Main Facts and Submission Guidelines
The ASSP is inviting EHS professionals, researchers, consultants, and thought leaders to submit proposals for educational sessions. This is more than just a speaking opportunity; it is an invitation to define the future of safety culture.
Key Submission Details:
- Submission Window: Proposals will be accepted from July 13, 2026, through September 8, 2026.
- Submission Limits: Each applicant is permitted to submit a maximum of two proposals.
- Format Options: The ASSP offers two distinct formats to encourage different types of engagement:
- Lecture Sessions: Traditional, instructor-led presentations focused on technical knowledge, research, or case studies.
- Industry Roundtables: Interactive, collaborative sessions designed to facilitate peer-to-peer discussion and collective problem-solving.
- Review Process: All submissions will be vetted by the ASSP’s Professional Development Conference Committee—a group comprised of member volunteers representing a diverse spectrum of industries and safety practice specialties.
- Notification Date: Applicants will be informed of the committee’s final decisions by January 31, 2027.
A Chronology of the Safety 2027 Roadmap
To understand the scale of this undertaking, one must look at the timeline the ASSP has established for the successful execution of the conference. The event is a massive logistical and intellectual feat, requiring months of careful curation:
- July 13, 2026: Official opening of the call for presenters. This marks the start of a two-month window for experts to refine their topics and submit their abstracts.
- September 8, 2026: Deadline for all speaker proposals.
- Fall 2026 – Winter 2027: The Professional Development Conference Committee enters the rigorous review phase, evaluating hundreds of submissions based on technical merit, relevance, and ability to engage a diverse audience.
- January 31, 2027: Notification of acceptance or rejection.
- June 7–9, 2027: The Safety 2027 Conference + Expo in New Orleans.
Supporting Data: The Rising Demand for Professional Insight
The ASSP has noted a significant uptick in interest regarding conference participation. This surge is not merely a reflection of increased membership, but rather a testament to the growing complexity of the EHS profession. During the previous conference cycle, the organization received more than 760 speaker proposals.
This influx of content highlights the most pressing areas of concern within the global safety community. Recent data suggests that the following topics are currently at the forefront of the industry’s collective consciousness:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: How predictive analytics are being used to anticipate accidents before they occur.
- Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF) Prevention: Moving beyond traditional lagging indicators to focus on high-consequence risk mitigation.
- Workforce Well-being: A growing emphasis on psychological safety, mental health, and the impact of burnout on workplace safety.
- Emergency Response and Resilience: Lessons learned from global supply chain disruptions and climate-related operational challenges.
- Safety Culture and Behavioral Science: The move toward human-centric safety programs that move away from "blame-the-worker" mentalities.
- Benchmarking and Regulatory Compliance: Data-driven approaches to proving the ROI of safety investments to executive leadership.
The sheer volume of submissions demonstrates that safety professionals are no longer just "implementing" rules—they are innovating them.
Official Responses: A Vision for the Profession
Monique Parker, CSP, President of the American Society of Safety Professionals, emphasized the vital importance of this event in a recent statement.
"The Safety Conference + Expo is the industry’s premier event for safety professionals around the world, offering exceptional education and networking opportunities for more than 6,000 attendees and 700 exhibitors," 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."
Parker’s message is clear: the conference is an inclusive space. Whether a professional is a seasoned veteran with decades of experience in high-hazard industries or a newcomer tackling the nuances of modern digital safety, the society values the diversity of experience.
"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 added.
Implications for the EHS Industry
The call for presenters is not just a logistical step for the ASSP; it has profound implications for the industry at large.
1. Elevating the "Safety Professional" Profile
By providing a platform for expert-led discussions, the ASSP elevates the status of the safety professional from an administrative role to a strategic business partner. When safety leaders present data-backed solutions at a major expo, they demonstrate that safety is a value-driver, not a cost center.
2. Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Human Behavior
One of the most critical trends identified for 2027 is the intersection of high-tech and human-centric safety. As companies invest heavily in wearable tech, IoT, and AI-powered monitoring, the human element—training, culture, and ethics—becomes even more critical. The conference serves as the primary forum where these two worlds meet.
3. Fostering a Global Community
With over 6,000 attendees, the event acts as a knowledge hub. For an EHS professional in a remote or niche industry, the ability to collaborate with peers facing similar challenges can be the difference between a stalled program and a successful, scalable safety initiative.
4. Setting the Standard for Best Practices
The content selected by the committee effectively becomes the industry’s "North Star" for the following year. The papers, roundtables, and case studies presented in New Orleans will filter down into corporate boardrooms, field operations, and safety manuals across the globe.
Conclusion: How to Participate
For those interested in shaping the conversation, the submission process is designed to be accessible and transparent. The ASSP website provides comprehensive guides on how to structure a proposal to maximize its chances of acceptance.
As the industry looks toward June 2027, the focus remains on the primary objective: reducing workplace risk and ensuring that every worker returns home safe. By contributing expertise, insight, and experience, presenters at Safety 2027 will not only be sharing knowledge—they will be actively participating in the preservation of human life.
For further information on submission guidelines, evaluation criteria, and the overall conference schedule, please visit the official ASSP website.
The industry is waiting to hear your perspective. The question is: what solutions will you bring to the table?
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.
