This year’s 73rd Annual Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference was held at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center on September 25-26, 2024. Once again, we came together to experience two days of dynamic speakers, sessions, and workshops. This event is a partnership between labor and management, represented by 16 industry planning committees putting forward specific training and education for Washington workers.
The conference kicked off with an opening ceremony that included Board President, Justin Molocznik welcoming everyone to this year’s event. Deedee Sun from KIRO 7 emceed the Lifesaving Awards that honored 32 Lifesaving recipients and 3 Humanitarian recipients involved in 10 different hands-on lifesaving events. Jason Kunz presented his keynote titled The Future of Safety & Health: Three Trends Shaping the Future of the Profession and an announcement made by Lance Stotz recognizing the final four Pole Top Rescue teams competing at Tollefson Plaza. Congratulations to Avista Utilities for winning the 2024 Pole Top competition.
This year’s conference included 58 sessions presented by 98 speakers over two days with 714 attendees learning, sharing, and networking. Four robust pre-conference workshops offered an all-day in-depth learning experience taught by industry experts. Contact hours were available through the University of Washington, Occupational Safety and Health Continuing Education Program, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.
The second day of the conference offered a heartfelt featured presentation, by Kina Hart titled It’s Your Safety, Don’t Give it Away. The exhibit hall had 78 exhibit booths displaying the latest in safety-related products and services. Attendees were able to check out new vendors and suppliers, visit the GISHAB Board booth, and have a free professional photo taken.
A big “thank you” to the 25 conference sponsors for your support and to the dozens of volunteers who helped to make the conference possible. We hope to see you again at the Spokane Convention Center on September 24-25, 2025.