Making Connections at NSC Safety Congress & Expo

From the Work to Zero Safety Innovation Challenge to networking events and the Safety Technology Pavilion, attendees will find opportunities to exchange ideas and explore emerging safety solutions.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• Aug 12, 2026

Some of the most valuable conversations at the National Safety Council Safety Congress & Expo happen outside the classroom.

While educational sessions provide attendees with practical guidance on compliance, leadership and emerging workplace issues, the conference also offers numerous opportunities to connect with peers, experience new technologies firsthand and explore ideas that continue long after presentations have ended.

According to Necoya Tyson, senior director of conventions at the National Safety Council, those interactions often become one of the conference's greatest benefits.

"A safety professional may come into this week looking for something specific and come back to their organization with an impactful idea or solution," Tyson said.

The Expo floor serves as the center of that exchange, bringing together more than 1,000 exhibiting companies showcasing the latest advancements in workplace safety, health and environmental technologies. Attendees have opportunities to speak directly with manufacturers, compare products and discuss challenges with experts developing solutions for today's workplaces.

Beyond technology demonstrations, the conference's Connect and Collaborate events encourage attendees to build professional relationships with safety practitioners from a wide range of industries. Structured networking opportunities, meetups and informal discussions create opportunities for attendees to exchange ideas, compare best practices and build professional connections that extend well beyond the conference.

First-time attendees also have opportunities to connect with other newcomers, helping them navigate the conference while expanding their professional networks. Throughout the week, conversations that begin during technical sessions frequently continue on the Expo floor, in networking events and during informal gatherings across the Indiana Convention Center.

For attendees with an international perspective, Messe Düsseldorf is showcasing its portfolio of global occupational safety and health trade fairs, including A+A 2027, one of the world's premier events dedicated to worker safety, health and occupational protection. The exhibit gives attendees an opportunity to learn about emerging global trends and connect with the international safety community.

Tyson encourages attendees to take advantage of every opportunity to engage with fellow professionals.

"Talk to people," she said. "Ask what's working for them, what they're interested in and what they're struggling with. The Safety Congress & Expo is not just about what you learn during the conference; it's also about having the chance to build a network that remains long after you leave Indianapolis."

Whether attendees are exploring the latest safety technologies, voting in the Work to Zero Safety Innovation Challenge or simply exchanging ideas with peers, the conference offers opportunities to strengthen both professional knowledge and professional relationships—two resources that continue delivering value long after the Expo closes.

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