Industry experts confirmed to lead IPAF Innovate 2019 workshops

The full line-up of industry thought-leaders confirmed to lead the topic-specific work groups at Innovate 2019 has been announced, with the second edition of the new workshop, challenge and award-format event hosted by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) in Chicago, IL, on July 16-17.

The inaugural event was hosted in Houston, TX, last year and is aimed at bringing together stakeholders from across the powered access industry to participate in collaborative groups to tackle key industry challenges in the afternoon of the first day. There’s a networking reception and dinner in the evening and each group presents to all delegates on the morning of the second day, with the best solutions chosen for the industry to take forward following the event.

The format is aimed at building lasting networks and relationships across all levels of the industry, from delivery drivers and operators, managers and supervisors, to safety representatives and employees of equipment manufacturers, dealers and distributors. Delegates who book to attend the event this year can specify which of the following workshops they would prefer to participate in:

Recognizing and avoiding electrocution
Facilitator: Greg Strid, Safety Director, Mastclimbers LLC

Qualified service technicians
Facilitator: David Kesser, President, Teupen North America

Preventing MEWP tip-overs
Facilitator: Ebbe Christensen, President, Reachmaster

Understanding the value of MEWP familiarization
Facilitator: Terry Dolan, President & CEO, Custom Equipment, Inc

Completing OEM compliant inspections
Facilitator: Jen Lombard, President, Lizzy Lifts

User selecting the proper MEWP equipment
Facilitator: Ian McGregor, Director of Product Safety, Skyjack Inc

Innovation – How can it improve our industry?
Facilitator: Chris Beasley, Sales & Business Development Manager – IPA, TVH

Preventing workers falling from an elevated MEWP
Facilitator: Tom Trinen, President, Service One Access

Are all persons trained/qualified before operating a MEWP?
Facilitator: Forrest Hester, Chief Development Officer, Tutus, LLC

User awareness and understanding of supervisory training requirements
Facilitator: Giles Councell, Director of Operations, IPAF

Would-be attendees can read more about each topic and are advised to register online without delay at www.ipaf.org/innovate, as places are strictly limited and are filling up fast. When booking, attendees will be asked to identify the top three topics they would like to work on with others and IPAF will try to accommodate wherever this is possible.

Participants will also have a chance to visit “Innovation Stations” on the first day. These will showcase new technology and spark ideas about its application in our industry. Users can also try a new virtual reality (VR) version of IPAF’s PAL+ advanced operator assessment on one of three sophisticated MEWP simulators.

Tony Groat, IPAF’s North America Regional Manager, comments: “Following the successful format of last year’s first Innovate, participants will join one of ten teams grouped by topic and each team will develop a means to improve the industry in their designated area of discussion. Teams will present their results with all other groups on day two of the event, and all will vote on what they rate as the best ideas for innovation.

“No participant will go away empty-handed, and there is no sitting for hours listening to others explain their ideas; it’s all about getting your hands dirty and directly playing a part in getting something done to improve our industry in a meaningful way.”

Tim Whiteman, CEO & MD of IPAF, adds: “As the name suggests, this is a very innovative format for an event and puts the emphasis on collaboration and sharing new ideas. The powered access industry doesn’t stand still, and with new standards and technology come ever-changing challenges and opportunities for safety and efficiency.

“This event allows people involved on the shop-floor to share their ideas as to where the industry is headed, to have their voices heard and to make a difference. IPAF needs your help to tackle some of our industry’s most pressing issues head-on.”

For more on IPAF’s Innovate 2019 and to book your place, visit www.ipaf.org/innovate