NCCCO Foundation Forum to spotlight safety, workforce development and tech integration

The NCCCO Foundation will host its 10th annual Industry Forum on April 17 at 2 p.m. Eastern, offering both virtual and in-person access from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. This year’s milestone event marks the first time the event will be held in the spring and promises a lineup of expert speakers and panelists addressing timely issues across the crane and lifting industries.

Kenna Carlsen, Senior Research Associate with the National Safety Council, presents “The State of Safety in the Crane Industry” during the NCCCO Foundation’s Industry Forum.

Designed as a free educational resource, the Industry Forum brings together professionals from the crane, electrical, industrial, and construction sectors, as well as safety trainers, HR leaders and workforce development advocates. The agenda continues to reflect the NCCCO Foundation’s broader mission to support industry-wide safety, credentialing and recruiting efforts.

“The NCCCO Foundation is very excited to have such an amazing group of speakers and panelists for this year’s Industry Forum,” said T.J. Cantwell, executive director, NCCCO Foundation. “We are proud of the fact that attendees will come away with new ideas and tips that they can put to use in their companies and everyday lives on subjects that are essential to the continued growth and effectiveness of the crane industry.”

The 2025 program will include:

Crane Industry Safety Hazards – Andy Sterlen of the North Carolina Department of Labor will present insights from his work in occupational safety and education.

Computer Skills & Emotional Safety – Dr. Krista Wojdak from Appalachian State University will explore the intersection of emotional safety and cognitive load in adult learning environments.

Technology Adoption in the Cab – A practical panel discussion will focus on how to help crane operators embrace evolving tech. Panelists include Ray Feidt (Stephenson Equipment), Greg Peters (American Crane Training), and Brian Schmoyer (U.S. Training Consultants).

Employment and Recruitment Strategies – Mike Embry (IUOE 181), Russ Gallivan (Colorado Crane Operator School), and Chris Smith (Morrow Equipment) will discuss best practices for attracting and retaining talent in the crane workforce.

Verification and Reporting Tools to Enhance Safety – John Zarian (NCCCO) and Pete Laux (Kiewit) will share tools and methods that can be used to proactively boost jobsite safety through data and process-driven insights.

Registration for the Industry Forum is open and free to all attendees. To learn more or sign up, visit: https://www.ncccofoundation.org/industry-forum