AIHCE 2001

• By Heida Diefenderfer
• May 01, 2001

Walking through the French Quarter in New Orleans, one may encounter a variety of people, cultural shops, and dazzling sights and sounds. Nothing is left to the imagination, and tolerance for other's opinions is not only embraced but also expected. The mix of people and ideas is not unlike the 2001 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHCE), with its theme of embracing change.

This year's conference will be held in the heart of New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, June 2 through 7, 2001. The Convention Center is headquarters for most conference activities -- registration, education sessions, the exposition, including the AIHA, AIH Foundation and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) exhibits and poster sessions, speaker ready room, press room, employment services center, business center, cyber center and the AIHCE blood drive.

AIHA and ACGIH activities, including board and committee meetings, will be held at the New Orleans Marriott and the Sheraton New Orleans Hotels.

The Hospitality Center located in The New Orleans Marriott Hotel, opens Sunday, June 3 at 2:00 p.m. with the Welcome Mixer. The Mixer offers an opportunity to greet old friends and make new acquaintances, while providing an introduction to the activities and tours available throughout the coming week. On Monday, June 4, the traditional Hospitality Brunch is scheduled 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Marriott. Please note a ticket is required for admittance to this event.

Edward D. Barlow, Jr., president of Creating the Future Inc., opens AIHCE with his keynote address on Monday, June 4. According to AIHCE, Mr. Barlow's energizing and motivating presentation will instill confidence and provide one with the strategies and anticipatory thinking skills necessary to create a preferred future -- both personally and professionally.

With more than 10,000 occupational and environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals coming together for the conference, this six-day event will prove fulfilling for all involved.

This year's ergo symposium is specifically designed to present critical information for the industrial hygiene community and professionals in safety, health, ergonomics and environmental positions, and also will provide guidance for the design and implementation of effective ergonomics programs. The seminar content is based on successful existing programs currently found in manufacturing and service industries. All aspects of successful ergonomics programs will be presented.

Furthermore, the faculty for the seminar were personally selected from among the best practitioners in the field, and represent small and large organized labor and management, and many different industry sectors.

The American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) has approved AIHCE 2001 for certification maintenance (CM) points for ABIH certified industrial hygienists. Diplomats may receive points as follows:

• Symposium, Sunday, June 3 - 1.0 CM point
• Professional Development Courses, Saturday, June 2, and Sunday, June 3 (refer to individual course descriptions for points)
• Technical Sessions, Monday-Thursday, June 4-7 - 0.5 CM point per half-day attendance; 1.0 CM point per full-day attendance.

Diplomats who lecture at the PDC courses are awarded CM points equal to one point per half-day (3-4 hours). Individuals delivering a roundtable are awarded 0.5 CM point. Platform and poster presenters receive 0.25 CM point for each 20-minute presentation.

For a record of symposium and professional development course attendance, ABIH requires

• A copy of AIHCE '01 certificate; and

• A copy of AIHCE '01 hotel bill OR approved expense report.

For a record of technical session attendance, ABIH requires

• Copy of AIHCE '01 registration receipt; and

• Copy of AIHCE '01 hotel bill OR approved expense report.

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals accepts continuing education units (CEUs) for continuance of certification (COC) points for certified safety professionals. Participants can receive 1.0 COC point for every 1.0 CEU awarded.

AIHA is a certified provider of CEUs in accordance with the criteria of the International Association of Continuing Education and Training.

One of the highlights of the conference and expo is the job fair. According to AIHCE, Job Fair 2001 provides the perfect opportunity to:

• Network with professionals;

• Access job postings;

• Interview with on-site employers;

• Receive career counseling through the Employment Services Committee Self Help Workshop.

On Monday, June 4, at 10:00 a.m. AIHCE attendants may participate in videotaped mock interviews, consult with counselors on resumes, networking and career choices. Participants must be prepared to submit a copy of their resume for each position for which they apply. To post a resume and order a personal copy of the 2001 Job Book, fill out the candidate form (PDF) and fax to 703.849.8267 by May 25. Resumes without authorized signatures will not be posted. The 2001 Job Book is a compilation of job postings and demographics. A copy may be purchased when completing the AIHCE Registration Form. The Job Posting Book will be available on site in New Orleans beginning Wednesday, June 6.

In addition to AIHCE, afternoon tours of New Orleans are scheduled Monday through Wednesday. Each tour offers a glimpse into the history, cultural diversity and vitality of this interesting southern city. Tours scheduled are Circling the Crescent City (June 4), the Plantations (June 5), the Garden District Homes (June 5), Cooking in the Quarter (June 6) and Antiques Abound (June 6). Tour tickets may be purchased separately in section seven of the registration form.

Three technical tours are available this year, which include the Michoud Assembly Facility (June 4 and 6), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (June 5 and 7) and the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board (June 5). Participation is limited to professional registrants only, with one ticket per person, per tour permitted. Tickets may be purchased on the advance registration form. According to AIHCE, tickets will be mailed with advance registration materials approximately three weeks prior to the conference. Since all tours sell out in advance, tickets are not available for purchase on-site.

More than 400 companies will be represented in this year's exposition. In particular, attendants will want to visit the software showcase and the NETs, a special section of the exposition highlighting computer applications, software and Web services.

Expo hours are 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m., Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5. The hours for Wednesday, June 6 are 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information, contact AIHA at 703.849.8888, or refer to the AIHCE Web site at www.aiha.org/conf.html.

This article originally appeared in the May 2001 issue of Environmental Protection, Vol. 12, No. 5, p. 34.

This article originally appeared in the 05/01/2001 issue of Environmental Protection.