AEU National Forum
AEU National Forum
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Monday, April 29, 2024
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
(AEU LEAD WORKSHOP) LEADERSHIP BY RESPECT: BUILDING CREDIBILITY FOR FRONT-LINE SUCCESS

 

Earning the respect of direct reports is essential for effective front-line leadership, relying more on demonstrated credibility through actions and behaviors than mere titles or words. This workshop offers a guided environment where participants will participate in meaningful dialogue and discussions aimed at uncovering strategies for leadership development. The session will culminate with each participant crafting a personalized action plan for continued growth, tailored to their unique needs and identified areas for enhancement.

In this session, you will learn:

  • The importance of respect for mid and front-line managers
  • Actions that can be taken to earn the respect of direct reports
  • How to identify opportunities for improvement as a front-line leader

 

Joe White - Director, AEU LEAD, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Pinckney Room
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
(AEU LEAD WORKSHOP) LEADERSHIP BY RESPECT: BUILDING CREDIBILITY FOR FRONT-LINE SUCCESS

 

Earning the respect of direct reports is essential for effective front-line leadership, relying more on demonstrated credibility through actions and behaviors than mere titles or words. This workshop offers a guided environment where participants will participate in meaningful dialogue and discussions aimed at uncovering strategies for leadership development. The session will culminate with each participant crafting a personalized action plan for continued growth, tailored to their unique needs and identified areas for enhancement.

In this session, you will learn:

  • The importance of respect for mid and front-line managers
  • Actions that can be taken to earn the respect of direct reports
  • How to identify opportunities for improvement as a front-line leader

 

Joe White - Director, AEU LEAD, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Pinckney Room
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
WELCOME RECEPTION

 

Join us at Ritual Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and networking. Come enjoy the panoramic views from high above King Street and Calhoun Street. 

 
Ritual Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge, located across the Southwest corner from the Francis Marion Hotel.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
BREAKFAST
 
 
Colonial Ballroom
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS & AEU UPDATE
 
Woody Collins - Senior Loss Control Manager, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Adele Hapworth - CEO, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Carolina Ballroom
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
LEADING THE WAY TO SAFETY: 10 FACTS FOR FATALITY-FREE OPERATIONS

 

Safety professionals, company managers, executives, and labor leaders share a commitment to safeguard the lives and well-being of their co-workers, teammates, and colleagues. For a lasting shift in the trend of work-related fatalities, we must broaden and incorporate the knowledge of effective Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF) prevention into the core philosophy of every organization. Addressing fatalities and life-altering injuries represents a crucial challenge for current safety and organizational leaders and is an emerging issue in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting

In this session, you will learn:

  • Essential components of a high-performing SIF prevention process
  • How to identify the pitfalls and barriers that cause many SIF programs to fail or underperform
  • How modern executives sponsor successful SIF prevention initiatives

 

Don Martin - Principal, dss+
Carolina Ballroom
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
NETWORKING BREAK
 
 
Carolina Ballroom Foyer
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
SHIPYARD INDUSTRY BREAKOUT
 
Woody Collins - Senior Loss Control Manager, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Carolina Ballroom
MCH INDUSTRY BREAKOUT
 
John Bloess - Senior LC Manager, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Poinsette Room
CLAIMS INDUSTRY BREAKOUT
 
Erica Janssen - VP, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Susan Burroughs Carter - Partner, Lueder, Larkin & Hunter
Matt Rolf - Director of HSE, Pacific Pile & Marine
Gold Ballroom
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LUNCH
 
 
Colonial Ballroom
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
THE NEUROSCIENCE OF FACILITATIVE LEARNING, LANGUAGE, AND LEADERSHIP

 

Facilitation is the skill of guiding a group through meetings, planning sessions, or training to successfully achieve specific goals. It involves a collaborative approach that encourages participation and learning through interactive dialogue. In this session, we will introduce you to the principles of facilitative learning and offer practical advice on how to apply these techniques effectively.

In this session, you will learn:

  • A basic understanding of facilitation
  • Why facilitative learning offers advantages over traditional instructional models
  • How to apply facilitative techniques at your organization

 

Joe White - Director, AEU LEAD, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Carolina Ballroom
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
NETWORKING BREAK
 
 
Carolina Ballroom Foyer
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
CLAIMS OUTCOMES AND THE MANY DEFINITIONS OF SUCCESS

 

Join us for a discussion on the multifaceted nature of claims resolution success through real-life examples. We’ll explore the diverse interpretations of success from the perspectives of injured workers, employers, and insurance carriers, offering insights into how each stakeholder views and contributes to favorable outcomes.

In this session, you will learn:

  • Strategies that can lead to mutually beneficial resolutions
  • Insights into the different ways success is defined in the claims process
  • How to identify and leverage opportunities for impactful involvement in the claims resolution process

 

Yese Vasquez-Lockhart - Claims Specialist, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Rob Griffis -
Gold Ballroom
OPTIMIZING SHIPYARD SAFETY: KEY ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

 

This focused session will guide participants through the essentials of developing, implementing, and maintaining a robust safety management system in shipyards. We'll also discuss practical tips for evaluating and improving your organization's safety protocols.

In this session, you will learn:

  • The importance of operating within an effective safety management system
  • How to recognize the five elements that make a safety management system effective
  • How to better evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your company’s system

 

Todd Rushing - Consultant / Manager, Rushing Marine
Carolina Ballroom
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
NETWORKING BREAK
 
 
Carolina Ballroom Foyer
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
ENHANCING MARITIME SAFETY THROUGH AI CHATBOT TECHNOLOGY

 

This session is a deep dive into the transformative impact of AI chatbot technology on maritime safety. We’ll take a closer look at the pivotal role of AI in advancing risk and hazard management, as well as discuss how AI-driven chatbots can not only identify and assess hazards but also streamline safety management processes, contributing to a safer and more responsive work environment.

In this session, you will learn:

  • How to define the scope and functionality of AI chatbots, focusing on their contribution to hazard identification and risk assessment in the maritime industry
  • The key benefits and limitations of AI chat technologies for safety management, emphasizing their impact on project response times and overall safety culture
  • How to effectively implement AI chat solutions in safety protocols, including steps for integrating these technologies into existing safety management systems and training programs

 

Leo Alaniz - Loss Control Manager, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Carolina Ballroom
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
GROUP DINNER, COCKTAILS, & NETWORKING AT SHARE HOUSE

 

Join us for a low country boil and yard games at Share House. Located in a former train depot in the heart of downtown Charleston, Share House offers indoor-outdoor entertainment with an inviting deck and courtyard where you can meet new friends and connect with old friends. 

Share House is located 0.3 miles from The Francis Marion, but if you prefer to ride the shuttle it will pick up at the Calhoun Street entrance of The Francis Marion.

 
Share House, located at 23 Ann St. Shuttles will be provided.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
BREAKFAST
 
 
Colonial Ballroom
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
HUMANIZING SAFETY

 

Explore the transformative power of individual empowerment in shaping organizational safety. This session unveils a proven Safety Leadership strategy credited with a 57% reduction in the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) among Fortune 500 companies. Patrick Nelson will equip you with innovative tools and strategies to personalize safety initiatives and foster a culture of excellence in your workplace. Patrick will inspire you to catalyze positive change and elevate safety standards across your organization.

In this session, you will learn:

  • How to leverage storytelling to create deeper safety engagement
  • How to use a non-traditional approach to maximizing positive safety outcomes through servant leadership and forward-looking accountability
  • The importance of a growth-oriented mindset to motivate and engage others in proactive shifts in safety culture

 

Patrick Nelson - CEO, Leadership & Safety Speaker & Consultant, Loyalty Point Leadership
Carolina Ballroom
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
NETWORKING BREAK
 
 
Carolina Ballroom Foyer
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
UNDERSTANDING HOT WORK SAFETY IN SHIPYARDS AND WATERFRONT FACILITIES

 

A century ago, stakeholders in the marine industry sought the expertise of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to address fires resulting from hot work activities. This session offers an in-depth look at the evolution of hot work standards and the role of the Marine Chemist. Participants will gain insight into the current regulations and standards applicable to shipyards, marine terminals, boatyards, marinas, and vessels within the United States. Discover the critical role of a competent person in recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hot work-related hazards effectively. Additionally, learn about the specific circumstances that require the engagement of an NFPA Certificated Marine Chemist at your workplace.

In this session, you will learn:

  • Applicable regulations and standards concerning hot work
  • How to recognize, evaluate and control hot work hazards
  • The specific situations in which obtaining a Certificate from a Certificated Marine Chemist is mandatory before initiating hot work

 

Lawrence Russell - Principal Specialist, National Fire Protection Association
Carolina Ballroom
BEYOND THE BASICS: EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR MITIGATING LARGE LOSSES

 

Join us for a dynamic and insightful panel discussion to explore effective strategies for mitigating large losses. As the workforce ages and the landscape of workplace injuries and claims continues to evolve, it has become increasingly crucial for insurance professionals to stay ahead of the curve and proactively address challenges associated with significant losses. Our panelists will share real-world experiences, success stories, practical insights, and actionable takeaways to enhance your ability to mitigate risks and drive positive claim outcomes.

In this session, you will learn:

  • The importance of early medical management intervention in significantly enhancing the outcomes for all parties involved in a claim
  • How to report a catastrophic claim and understand the policies and procedures employed by the AEU team to manage such events effectively

 

Brian McElreath - Attorney, Lueder, Larkin & Hunter, LLC
Ashley Lane - Nurse Case Manager Supervisor, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Graham Sommese - Claims Specialist, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.
Poinsette Room
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
NETWORKING BREAK
 
 
Carolina Ballroom Foyer
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
THE POWER OF LEADERSHIP: 5 KEY QUESTIONS

 

When you search for leadership online, you find billions of results. This shows how important and complex leadership is. After teaching thousands of people in his leadership workshops, Thomas Bright noticed that some questions about leadership kept coming up. In this presentation, he will discuss those questions in a way that gives a clearer view of what leadership really means.

In this session, you will learn:

  • The differences between leadership and management
  • Whether leadership is learned or innate
  • How leadership shapes safe and positive work environments

 

Thomas Bright - Keynote Speaker - Leadership, Bright Training Solutions
Carolina Ballroom
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
SAFETY AWARD LUNCHEON

 

AEU is excited to host our annual Safety Award Recognition Luncheon at the National Forum on April 29-May 1 in Charleston, SC. During this event, Workplace Culture Expert and Bestselling Author, Garrison Wynn, will give a research-based entertaining talk about gaining influence, trust, and value to create a culture of safety and make it stick. Afterward, AEU executives will recognize the 2023 AEU Safety Award winners. This event is an excellent opportunity for health and safety professionals from ALMA member companies to be recognized by an audience of their peers. After the event, photos will be taken and shared with attendees.

 

Garrison Wynn - Comedian and Motivational Business Expert, Wynn Solutions
Carolina Ballroom
Monday, April 29, 2024
(AEU LEAD WORKSHOP) LEADERSHIP BY RESPECT: BUILDING CREDIBILITY FOR FRONT-LINE SUCCESS8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
(AEU LEAD WORKSHOP) LEADERSHIP BY RESPECT: BUILDING CREDIBILITY FOR FRONT-LINE SUCCESS1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
WELCOME RECEPTION5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
BREAKFAST7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS & AEU UPDATE8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
LEADING THE WAY TO SAFETY: 10 FACTS FOR FATALITY-FREE OPERATIONS8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
NETWORKING BREAK9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
SHIPYARD INDUSTRY BREAKOUT9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
MCH INDUSTRY BREAKOUT9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
CLAIMS INDUSTRY BREAKOUT9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
LUNCH12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
THE NEUROSCIENCE OF FACILITATIVE LEARNING, LANGUAGE, AND LEADERSHIP1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
NETWORKING BREAK2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
CLAIMS OUTCOMES AND THE MANY DEFINITIONS OF SUCCESS2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
OPTIMIZING SHIPYARD SAFETY: KEY ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
NETWORKING BREAK 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
ENHANCING MARITIME SAFETY THROUGH AI CHATBOT TECHNOLOGY3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
GROUP DINNER, COCKTAILS, & NETWORKING AT SHARE HOUSE6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
BREAKFAST7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
HUMANIZING SAFETY8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
NETWORKING BREAK9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
UNDERSTANDING HOT WORK SAFETY IN SHIPYARDS AND WATERFRONT FACILITIES9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
BEYOND THE BASICS: EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR MITIGATING LARGE LOSSES9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
NETWORKING BREAK 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
THE POWER OF LEADERSHIP: 5 KEY QUESTIONS10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
SAFETY AWARD LUNCHEON11:30 AM - 1:30 PM