This two-hour workshop will be run as a facilitated roundtable discussion. By design, it's intended to allow participants to engage in collaborative dialogue for the purpose of learning from one another. While most employers have policies prohibiting the use of cell phones on the job, many recognize that employees routinely use them. As part of the discussion, emphasis will be placed on understanding various positions on the topic, parameters regarding use, and recommended practices for consideration. 

At the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Share existing practices regarding cell phone use
• Understand positions taken by other members
• Modify strategies based on the experiences of others

This optional workshop will take place before the National Forum. There is limited capacity, and registration is required to attend.

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

NASA’s history includes both remarkable achievements and painful setbacks, each of which reshaped its approach to safety in high-risk environments. This session is designed to discuss cultural lessons learned, and inspire best practices through NASA’s journey, while connecting to other industries that share in high-risk endeavors.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Identify key lessons from NASA’s history of space exploration
• Apply best practices drawn from NASA’s safety culture
• Relate these insights to challenges and opportunities in the maritime industry

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

Please join us for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to kick off the AEU National Forum. We will gather in the South Convention Lobby for the Welcome Reception. 

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

Enjoy a come-and-go breakfast before the General Session.

In high-stakes environments, effective leadership makes all the difference. This session explores how leadership has influenced safety performance over the past 40+ years. We’ll dive into how organizations with complex and critical operations manage safety risks, and why a risk is a risk, whether it threatens lives, production timelines, or quality of care. In today’s VUCA world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity), managing risk isn’t just about policies and procedures. It’s about setting a clear direction and embedding discipline into the way we work.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

•  Understand the concept of a risky world within the VUCA framework
• Explain why risk management is important and identify who sets the organizational tone
• Leverage top management "engagement"
• Apply the basic framework from key ISO standards (9001, 31000, and 45001)

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

In the workplace, de-escalation has become a popular buzzword. But the art of escalation is just as important. Addressing concerns, giving feedback, and raising difficult topics are necessary for achieving shared goals and maintaining a safe workplace. This session will introduce practical strategies for speaking up directly and constructively, helping participants address challenges without damaging relationships or disrupting performance.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Understand the "RISC" factors that cause unnecessary escalation
• Implement practical frameworks and strategies to minimize defensiveness and de-escalate tense workplace situations
• Connect and share personal best practices on shared examples or challenges

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

The use of sand as a blasting media is once again on the rise, even after OSHA’s 2016 silica standard led many industries to move away from it. This session will examine why some companies are returning to sand, what that means for maritime employers, and the serious risks associated with respirable crystalline silica exposure. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of OSHA requirements, potential health impacts, and best practices to protect workers and reduce liability when silica is used in blasting operations.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Understand potential airborne respirable crystalline silica exposures for certain activities
• Determine respirable crystalline silica risks and airborne levels
• Understand proper testing and adjustments that can be made to lower silica exposure.

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

This interactive session explores how staffing agencies and employers can collaborate to reduce workplace risk, improve training, and foster a culture of safety and accountability. Presented jointly by TREO Staffing, LLC and Conrad Industries, the session offers a dual perspective on managing a contingent workforce in high-risk industries. Through a conversational format, the provider and client share practical strategies for challenges like onboarding, incident reporting, and long-term retention. Participants will leave with actionable tools to strengthen collaboration, lower costs, and achieve better outcomes for employees, staffing agencies, and employers.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Understand how proactive communication, shared accountability, and targeted training strategies can lower workers' compensation claims while improving productivity and workforce stability
• See how staffing providers and employers can work side-by-side to align expectations, implement safety protocols, and hold both employees and supervisors accountable for safe practices

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

The nature and quality of working relations between supervisors and their direct reports is consistently reflected in operational performance outcomes. While the orientation between the two groups has been a primary focus for targeted development, a growing body of research suggests an equally important need is now emerging elsewhere. It involves the quality and effectivemenss of working relations between supervisors and their managers. In this session, participants will be provided with details highlighting areas of concern, implications of the emerging trend, and recommendations for consideration. 

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Understand points of frustration expressed by a growing number of supervisors.
• Describe the implications of this emerging trend.
• Recognize opportunities for improvement.

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

This session takes attendees inside a real catastrophic claim that occurred in early 2024 in Mobile, Alabama. A panel of four experts will walk through the case step by step, demonstrating how each of their roles contributed to the management of a spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia. Participants will leave with practical insights and strategies they can apply when faced with a similar situation in their own organizations.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of timeliness and clear communication during the claims process
• Understand how teamwork supports meeting needs and accomplishing tough requests
• Apply timely decision-making to achieve the best possible outcomes

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

In the maritime industry, safety is more than checklists and procedures — it’s culture. Yet the gap between “what’s taught” and “what’s practiced” on the ground often determines whether a crew goes home safely. During this session, you'll hear how Joel Valle and Enstructure are using training to bridge this gap by moving beyond compliance and building confidence, competence, and commitment in the workforce.

Through real stories from the docks, cranes, and terminals, Joel will demonstrate how effective training can transform attitudes, gain union and non-union buy-in, and create lasting safety habits. This session will challenge managers and leaders to view training not as a requirement, but as a powerful tool to change outcomes — from reducing claims to increasing engagement.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Understand how training influences employee engagement, confidence, and accountability in safety outcomes
• Identify where safety programs often break down and how targeted training closes those gaps
• Use frontline experiences as teaching tools that resonate with workers at every level
• Explore strategies for getting both union and non-union crews aligned through training and trust

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

This presentation addresses the ongoing dilemma faced by employers regarding high levels of workplace noise. We'll explore the challenge of managing hearing loss claims for successful outcomes while complying with OSHA's Hearing Conservation Program requirements. The session will demonstrate strategic steps employers can take to both adhere to OSHA standards and reduce the likelihood of hearing loss claims, particularly when employees are hired with pre-existing hearing loss.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Identify and implement strategic steps to comply with the OSHA Hearing Conservation Program
• Develop methods to mitigate or reduce the likelihood of hearing loss claims under the Longshore Act
• Effectively manage hearing loss claims, especially when an employee has pre-existing hearing loss

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.

Join us at the ViewHouse Ballpark in downtown Denver, located just steps from Coors Field and right in the heart of the city's vibrant Ballpark District. The evening will include dinner, networking, and NFL Thursday Night Football on the screens. 

The ViewHouse Ballpark is located 1.2 miles or 10 min drive from the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. 

We will have shuttles pick up at 5:45 PM and return at 9:00 PM. They will run continuously as needed. 

Casual Attire - Jeans and shorts are acceptable.