Two-day access and rental event set for September

Following the last few years of virtual meetings and conferences, the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Access, Lift & Handlers (ALH) have joined forces to offer two, back-to-back days of education, networking and valuable information geared specifically toward the access and rental industries. 

Set for September 28 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, IPAF’s Innovate event aims to develop potential solutions to improve the safe and effective use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs.) At the event, industry stakeholders work together in small groups to create achievable solutions which could positively impact the issue at hand.

Previous working group topics have included: Recognizing and avoiding electrocution; Attracting and retaining qualified service technicians; Preventing MEWP tip-overs; Understanding the value of familiarization; Completing OEM-compliant inspections; Selecting the proper MEWP equipment; How innovation can improve the industry; Preventing workers falling from MEWPs; User awareness/understanding of supervisor training requirements, and more. Results from previous workshops can be found here. 

Following the day’s workshop, IPAF will host a networking reception from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Hyatt’s Ventenas Penthouse. The event is limited to a total of 100 attendees, and registration costs $149. For more information, visit Innovate’s website here. 

The next morning, Sept. 29, the ALH Conference will kick off at 8 a.m. with networking and breakfast, followed by Larry Silber, president and CEO of Herc Rentals, providing the keynote speech. Additional confirmed speakers and companies include: 

• Scott Hazelton, IHS Markit
• Karin Nars, Dinolift/IPAF
• United Rentals, speaker TBD
• Mike Davis, Genie
• Peter Douglas, IPAF
• Steve Stine, WIKA Mobile Control
• One of largest contractors in North America
  
• Lindsey Anderson, ALH 

Topics for the day-long ALH Conference will include:

• Economic update specific for access and equipment rental in North America and the Infrastructure Bill’s impact
• Telehandler standards (existing and future) and what they mean for machine design, safety and operation
• Creating and implementing an ESG program
• Diversity in the industry - how it can help close the labor shortage gap
• Batteries and access equipment - what’s new, what’s to come? 
• Jobsite technology and its role between contractors and rental 

Additional topics and titles will be announced soon.

Immediately following the Conference, a drinks networking reception will be held for attendees to wind down, catch-up with colleagues and forge new relationships. For more information and to register, click here. 

The ALH Conference is created and organized by Access, Lift & Handlers and KHL Group.