{"id":15491,"date":"2025-11-25T01:32:58","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T01:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.findadistributor.com\/news\/?p=15491"},"modified":"2025-11-05T15:48:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T15:48:40","slug":"ipaf-conference-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.findadistributor.com\/news\/ipaf-conference-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"IPAF Conference, Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

IPAF North America hosted the Working at Height Conference & Awards last month (October) at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee \u2014 bringing together industry leaders from construction, utilities, manufacturing, and equipment rental sectors to share innovations, insights, and best practices for safer and more efficient work at height.<\/p>\n

The two-day event \u2014 organized in partnership with KHL Group \u2014 featured keynote presentations, expert panels, and networking opportunities, all focused on advancing safety leadership and elevating standards in the powered access industry.<\/p>\n

Music City Welcome and VIP Experience\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The event began with a special VIP Working at Height Tour at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, where guests explored the rich history and evolution of American music, a fitting prelude to Nashville\u2019s role as the home of creativity and collaboration.<\/p>\n

The networking reception that followed set the perfect tone for the days ahead, offering delegates the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and build partnerships in preparation for the conference.<\/p>\n

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Networking offered delegates the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and build partnerships in preparation for the conference.<\/p><\/div>\n

Council Growth and Commitment\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

IPAF also hosted the North American Council (NARC) meeting, celebrating strong growth in 2025, with rising membership and IPAF training numbers across the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cA huge thank you to our Council volunteers for their dedication and support in helping IPAF keep the powered access industry safer and stronger,\u201d said Peter Douglas, CEO and Managing Director of IPAF.<\/p>\n

Inspiring Keynotes and Industry Insights\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The conference opened with a keynote from Norty Turner, Past President of IPAF and President of Sunstate Equipment, who spoke on building a strong workplace culture through alignment, accountability, and trust.<\/p>\n

\u201cCulture is cultivating the space between alignment and accountability,\u201d Turner said, encouraging leaders to create clarity, ownership, and a sense of purpose that inspires results.<\/p>\n

Nicole McGregor of Ducker Carlisle provided an in-depth MEWP Market Forecast, noting that after a period of stabilization in 2024, modest growth is expected through 2026, particularly driven by data center construction and infrastructure investment.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoving into 2026, anything is possible,\u201d McGregor said, emphasizing cautious optimism as rental companies adapt to cyclical changes and shifting demand.<\/p>\n

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IPAF North America hosted the Working at Height Conference & Awards last month (October) at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee.<\/p><\/div>\n

Safety, Innovation, and the Human Factor\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A highlight of the program was Steve Hawkins, Chief Operations Director of FDRsafety LLC, whose powerful talk, Transforming the Safety Mindset from \u201cHave To\u201d to \u201cWant To,\u201d underscored the personal impact of safety as he shared his experience of a fatality at work.<\/p>\n

With a touch of humour and a lot of heart, Steve delivered an unforgettable reminder: safety is personal, encouraging attendees to discuss and connect with him on the matter. He emphasized that safety rules are lifelines \u2013 not obstacles \u2013 and urged attendees to embrace a culture where safety is a personal commitment, not a compliance checkbox.<\/p>\n

Dr. Chastity Lasley-Williams energized the audience with The Secret to a Successful Apprenticeship, highlighting the importance of collaboration between industry and education to strengthen the workforce pipeline.<\/p>\n

Pat Schmetzer from MEC AWP explored Equipment Innovation and Evolution in MEWPs, defining true innovation as \u201ccreating something genuinely new that adds significant value to workers, organizations, or the MEWP industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Technology at the Forefront: AI, XR, and the Future of Training\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Technology and digital transformation were central themes throughout the conference.
\nMatt Skipworth, VP of Global Service & Digital Solutions at Genie, presented AI + XR: Reimagining Working at Height, showcasing how artificial intelligence and extended reality are making worksites safer and more efficient through predictive maintenance, virtual training, and data-driven insights.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe future isn\u2019t about AI replacing the worker \u2013 it\u2019s about AI making their job safer and easier,\u201d said Skipworth. \u201cIf we embrace it, we\u2019ll see an era of unprecedented safety, efficiency, and profitability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Terry Allen, CEO of Serious Industrial Motion Simulators, continued the theme with Training for Tomorrow, Today, outlining four steps to transform MEWP safety training through AI-driven competency modeling, immersive simulation, and data analytics.<\/p>\n

Collaboration and Safety Campaign Launch\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A roundtable discussion featuring TJ Lyons (Lyonetics), Peter Dagsvik (Atlantic Building Restoration), and Tony Groat (IPAF) explored ways to enhance productivity and safety across the powered access sector.<\/p>\n

IPAF\u2019s Head of Safety, Brian Parker, also announced the launch of a new U.S. safety campaign, How to Stay Safe On or Near Roadways, aimed at reducing vehicle and equipment collisions involving MEWPs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough MEWPs remain one of the safest ways to work at height, data shows an increase in roadway-related incidents,\u201d Brian noted. \u201cCorrect setup and continued reporting are vital to preventing accidents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Focus on Worker Protection\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Closing the day, Luke Sylvia, Regional Sales Manager for MIPS, delivered an insightful session on New Technologies in Safety Headwear for Construction, revealing that \u201cthe average direct costs associated with a concussion are $54,571.\u201d His presentation underscored the importance of selecting the right protective equipment and staying informed about advancements in helmet safety.<\/p>\n

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The event brought together industry leaders from construction, utilities, manufacturing, and equipment rental sectors to share innovations, insights, and best practices for safer and more efficient work at height.<\/p><\/div>\n

Closing Reflections\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

IPAF President Karel Huijser concluded the conference by running through his highlights of the day, with the final remarks: \u201cWhen storytelling defends liability, we repeat mistakes. When it drives learning, we prevent them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Working at Height 2025 Awards\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the conference, the Working at Height 2025 Awards celebrated outstanding contributions to safety, leadership, and innovation in the powered access industry.<\/p>\n

The winners were:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n