VPPPA Safety+ Blends OSHA Training with Hands-On Learning and Networking

From OSHA 10-Hour training to Innovation Stations, live demonstrations and VPP site tours, this year's symposium emphasizes learning through experience.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• Jul 01, 2026

Attendees at the 2026 VPPPA Safety+ Symposium will have the opportunity to pair traditional safety education with hands-on learning through a conference program that includes OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training, interactive demonstrations, Innovation Stations and VPP site tours.

Held Aug. 30 through Sept. 2 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., the annual Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association (VPPPA) conference is designed to help safety professionals strengthen their knowledge while exploring practical solutions they can apply in their workplaces. According to VPPPA, this year's program emphasizes education, collaboration and experiential learning across a wide range of occupational safety and health topics.

Among the conference's featured educational offerings is the OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training course, scheduled over two days on Sept. 1 and 2. The course provides foundational instruction on hazard recognition, workers' rights, employer responsibilities and OSHA standards, giving participants an opportunity to earn a nationally recognized credential while attending the symposium.

Beyond the classroom, attendees can participate in Innovation Stations and live demonstrations showcasing emerging safety technologies, equipment and best practices. The interactive sessions are designed to give participants a closer look at new tools and approaches that can help organizations improve worker protection and safety performance.

The conference also offers VPP site tours, allowing attendees to visit Voluntary Protection Program worksites and observe how participating organizations implement comprehensive safety and health management systems. Additional educational opportunities include deep-dive workshops, breakout sessions, labor-management discussions and first-time attendee orientation.

Networking remains a central part of the Safety+ experience. The symposium schedule features an exhibit hall grand opening, regional meetings, an evening reception in downtown Nashville, the annual awards ceremony and other events designed to encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas among safety professionals from across the country.

By combining formal OSHA training with experiential learning and peer engagement, VPPPA Safety+ aims to provide attendees with practical knowledge and new perspectives they can apply in their organizations to strengthen workplace safety and health programs.

Additional information and the full conference agenda are available on the VPPPA Safety+ Symposium website.

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