Kirkwood Community College will host its annual Safety Conference on Thursday, March 26, at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids.
The one-day event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $199 and includes a vendor showcase and meal.
Designed for safety professionals, managers and others involved in workplace safety programs, the conference will feature keynote presentations, breakout sessions, exhibitors and networking opportunities. The event will focus on four core principles: individual well-being, teamwork and shared responsibility, accountability and decision-making.
Two keynote speakers are scheduled. David J. Sarkus will present “Leading from Your Heart!,” addressing leadership-driven safety and long-term commitment beyond compliance. Celina Peerman will present “What We Miss: The Psychology of Seeing, Speaking Up, and Staying Safe,” examining how human behavior, hidden assumptions and psychological safety affect hazard awareness and employees’ willingness to report concerns.
Additional sessions will cover safety technologies, risk prevention, mental health in the workplace and guidance from industry experts. The conference also offers continuing education opportunities for professionals seeking to maintain credentials and stay current with workplace regulations.
“Our goal with the Safety Conference is to bring people together to share actionable safety practices that make measurable differences in workplaces of all kinds,” said David Hughes, Kirkwood fire and safety programmer. “Attendees will walk away with fresh perspectives, real tools for improving safety outcomes and connections with professionals who face similar challenges every day.”
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center is located at 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW. For more information or to register, visit www.kirkwood.edu/safetyconference.
