I am pleased to announce that AIHA is changing the name of its annual conference. I’d like to take this opportunity to explain the rationale and process.

Why a new identity? With the continuing growth and evolution of our profession, our attendees are finding the educational sessions, expo, and overall networking experience more valuable than ever. But few of those newer to our profession recognize the name AIHce EXP or fully understand its meaning. As a result, AIHA leadership felt the need to do a "brand refresh" on the conference name.

What's in a name? Well, a lot. From the start, we felt the need to satisfy several key objectives. First, we desired a name that better emphasizes the real value the conference provides OEHS professionals at all career stages and that speaks to the connections the conference makes possible, both through networking with colleagues as well as exposure to new ideas, learnings, products, and other resources. Further, we wanted a name that could support a more dynamic experience, in both traditional and digital communications—one that was more compelling to first-time attendees who may represent allied professionals (for example, environmental health and safety generalists) and that could better sustain our conference for years to come.

After an exhaustive process, we chose the name AIHA Connect, with the conference descriptor "The Conference & Expo for OEHS Professionals."

The naming and branding process. The process began with interviews of multiple focus groups of OEHS professionals, who shared what they value most about the AIHA conference and discussed their own expectations for a conference name and brand. Armed with this valuable input, our creative agency explored a wide range of conference names and descriptor statements. AIHA leadership selected a handful of options for a market research effort.

We brought in an independent research organization to conduct a survey of all AIHce EXP attendees from the previous five years, as well as all members of AIHA, ACGIH, and other allied associations, to assess their preferences and opinions regarding the identity of the conference. AIHA Connect and "The Conference & Expo for OEHS Professionals" were ranked highest by research respondents across every measure, including "most preferred," "most relevant to their professional interests," and "most engaging." Respondents thought that the name and conference descriptor "succinctly capture the spirit of the already-respected conference experience" and "clearly define what the conference offers and who it serves."

What has changed? What remains the same? This week, at AIHce EXP 2023 in Phoenix, we revealed the new AIHA Connect branding to overwhelming support. Over the coming months, we will introduce it across all communications and materials related to the conference.

Everything else about our conference remains the same. Attendees can continue to expect the annual conference to be the profession's main event that showcases trends, cutting-edge research, and new technologies, and fosters professional connections. The conference will also continue to provide the top-notch education you've come to rely on from global thought leaders. And it will continue to host events for allied associations such as ACGIH, the Board for Global EHS Credentialing, and others. They remain a valuable component of the AIHA Connect conference experience.

As a forward-looking steward of the OEHS profession, AIHA embraces this opportunity to update the branding of our annual conference, which brings together thousands of professionals each year. See you next year in Columbus, Ohio, at AIHA Connect!