The PDC featured the Opening Keynote of Charles A. Simpson, CSP, speaking on “Hazard Recognition – Overcoming Cognitive Limitations”. Thank you to Komatsu for being the exclusive Diamond Sponsor and the sponsor of the Keynote speaker. The lunchtime Speaker was Pam Walaski, immediate Past President of ASSP and long-time member of the Western PA Chapter of ASSP. The Student Sections from Thiel College, SRU, and IUP provided the speakers for the student presentation section of the PDC. The PDC once again conducted an auction of gifts generously donated by the vendors. The winners of the gifts had to be present to win. The Western PA Chapter Executive Committee provided the two grand prizes which were one paid registration for a Professional and one paid registration for a student to the ASSP Safety 2026 in Anaheim CA June 15-17, 2026, (the hotel, travel, and meals are the responsibility of the winners). The PDC also had a 90-minute networking event immediately following the closing session that included appetizers and a cash bar.
Attendees had a choice of 9 sessions in 3 timeslots throughout the day. The event had a total attendance of 208 people, of which there were 115 Professionals and 93 Students. The event offered 0.6 CEUs for those that participated in the entire event.
Thank you! to our generous Sponsors: Komatsu, Guidant Power, National Safety Apparel, Click Safety, AM Health and Safety, RJR Safety Inc, and Snyder Brothers Inc. The PDC had 13 Vendors exhibiting during the event – Guidant Power, National Safety Apparel, Click Safety, AM Health and Safety, RJR Safety Inc, MES Life Safety, Voxel, Axelent, BCSP, Laurel Highlands Construction & Supplies, West Virginia University, PSX Inc, and Larson Davis Inc. OSHA’s Pittsburgh Area Office, SRU Student Section, IUP Student Section, and IUP OSHA Consultation had information tables.
Thank you! to the 2026 PDC Planning Committee Members – Wayne Vanderhoof – Chair, Jocelyn Milby, Melissa Heike, Tracey Cekada, Majed Zreiqat, Cindy Medford, Hope Dropp, Daniel Finn, Dan Wible, Carl W. Heinlein, Sophia Naugle, Kelley Edmier, Leif Lindgren, Cody Bergad, Matt Christy – SRU, Micah Nygren – IUP, Shane Scisciani-Brown – SRU, Ben Schurr – IUP, Austin Little – IUP, and Anna Buterbaugh – IUP.