NAEM's 2017 Calendar Features Latest Practices, New Formats, Fresh Ideas

Today NAEM announced its 2017 conference calendar, focused on the latest management challenges and emerging practices for environment, health and safety (EHS) and sustainability leaders.

"Because the EHS&S field continues to evolve along with the spectrum of risks it manages, NAEM's 2017 calendar was developed to be timely and relevant to the needs of those leading these programs within companies," said Executive Director Carol Singer Neuvelt.

EHS & Sustainability Software and Data Management Conference

The conference series will kick off on March 6-8, 2017 in Houston with NAEM's annual EHS & Sustainability Software and Data Management Conference, a peer-presented showcase of data management solutions. The conference will begin with a half-day workshop to assist software shoppers with developing a strategy for the selection process.

"Selecting a new software system is part of a long-term data management strategy," said Program Director Mike Mahanna. "This expert-led workshop will prepare participants to articulate their requirements, have focused conversations with potential partners and make the most of their on-site experience."

When the full agenda begins on March 7, conference attendees will have access to 12 user-led demonstrations, a presentation of benchmarking results from NAEM's 2017 EHS&S Software Buyers Guide report and an exhibit hall featuring the leading software solutions and service providers.

Responding to growing demand from participants, Mr. Mahanna said this year's event will address the needs of current users by including a content track focused on optimizing existing systems, solving problems and leveraging data to advance EHS&S performance.

2017 EHS Management Excellence Conference

On May 17-18, 2017 NAEM will be in Baltimore for the EHS Management Excellence Conference, a discussion of latest practices for risk management from an EHS perspective.

"Compliance assurance, risk reduction and management systems are perennial topics because companies are always developing new techniques to strengthen EHS culture and reduce risk, whether by incorporating a new training method, introducing new metrics or collecting more robust audit information," said Caitlin Wilson, Sr. Program Manager.

This year's agenda will feature a custom NAEM benchmark and interactive discussion on an emerging issue, an update on how the new administration could shape the regulatory landscape, as well as a set of peer case studies on topics such as management system implementation, identifying leading indicators and how to retain talented staff.

2017 EHS & Sustainability Women's Leadership Roundtable

On June 20-22, 2017 NAEM will host a unique forum in Portland, Ore. for women leaders in the EHS & Sustainability profession. The Women's Leadership Roundtable was initiated in 2012 by a group of NAEM peers, who sought an opportunity to advance others on their leadership journey and to cultivate the next generation of women leaders in EHS&S Management.

The bi-annual conference is now an exceptional leadership development seminar featuring panel discussions, keynote presentations and interactive workshops designed to make attendees more effective in their roles.

"Whether they are introducing a new program, managing a team or presenting to the Board of Directors, EHS and sustainability leaders need to be able to influence beyond their silos and their job descriptions," said Virginia Hoekenga, NAEM Deputy Director. "The peer-developed agenda at this conference will help women identify their inherent strengths and build new skills they can use to advance program success."

2017 Sustainability Management Conference

On August 1-2, 2017 NAEM will focus on how companies are creating value and reducing risk through sustainability programs at the 2017 Sustainability Management Conference in Chicago.

The agenda will highlight the latest program innovations and explore emerging trends on topics such as: external reporting, materiality assessments, supply chain management, greenhouse gas measurement and setting impact-oriented goals.

"The sustainability horizon continues to shift as companies position themselves for the business environment of the future," Ms. Wilson said. "What role can companies play in improving access to renewable energy? How can a company demonstrate a viable business model for material recovery? These are the questions that EHS & Sustainability leaders are beginning to tackle, and we look forward to sharing their tangible solutions at this conference."

25th annual EHS & Sustainability Management Forum

It's a hallmark year for NAEM as its EHS & Sustainability Management Forum celebrates its 25th anniversary in Ft. Lauderdale. The association's annual conference continues to grow in size each year; in 2016 NAEM welcomed more than 650 attendees to Denver, a turnout Ms. Hoekenga says reflects the enduring value of the conference.

"We're proud to have built a tradition that continues to draw new participants," Ms. Hoekenga said.

Each year, the association assembles a committee of peers, who identifies the most relevant professional challenges and recruits new perspectives to the conversation.

"Our peer-crafted agenda distinguishes the Forum experience from other offerings. The sessions at the Forum engage attendees in candid dialogue about not only the successes, but the lessons that presenters learned along the way," Ms. Hoekenga said.

The conference also includes a number of workshops, structured networking opportunities, and an annual day of service, where attendees can volunteer with a local environmental nonprofit.

"The Forum experience is about more than just the content," Ms. Hoekenga said. "NAEM is a professional community and we look forward to this chance to come together each year and renew our commitment to the important work that we do."

To learn more about NAEM's 2017 conference schedule or to register for an upcoming event, please visit http://www.naem.org/?page=Upcoming_Events.