The Kirkwood Safety Conference is designed for all individuals involved in their company's safety programs who aim to refresh their safety perspectives and seek opportunities to learn something new. This year's focus is built on four vital points that drive safer outcomes everywhere: Care for every individual's well-being; Collaboration through teamwork and shared responsibility; Accountability to the highest standards; and Courage to make the right choices - even when difficult.
Throughout the day, you will participate in various engaging breakout sessions led by skilled presenters, explore diverse vendor offerings, and enjoy a delicious meal.
Join us on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in this engaging, one-day event.
Date: March 26, 2026
Time: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Check in begins 7:30 a.m.)
Location: The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Price: $199
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Kirkwood Blvd and 76th Avenue SW., just minutes from the Eastern Iowa Airport, Interstate 380, and U.S. Highway 30.
Interstate 380 northbound
Take exit 13, Eastern Iowa Airport/Ely.
At the stop light, turn right (east)
At the first stop sign, turn left at Kirkwood Blvd. SW (north).
The Hotel will be on your right.
Highway 30 eastbound
Take exit 253, Kirkwood Blvd. SW/Bowling St.
At the stop light, go left on Kirkwood Blvd. SW (south).
Continue past the main and south entrances of Kirkwood's campus.
The Hotel will be on your left.
Find directions from your location or get a map of Kirkwood's Main Campus.
Arrive early to check-in and network before the conference begins.
Speaker: David J. Sarkus, MS, CSP
You want to achieve sustainable excellence in safety and who doesn’t? But what does it really take to get to that point? For starters, it takes great leadership, coaching, and engagement. This inspiring keynote, which parallels servant leadership principles, is infused with humor and great storytelling. David’s talk will reveal three contemporary and research-driven bases of influence that will move individuals and groups from superficial compliance to deeper and more durable forms of personal commitment to safety and safe-production. You’ll leave this talk with actionable ways to:
Enjoy refreshments while exploring our vendor exhibits.
Session 1: Coming soon
Session 2: Coming soon
Session 3: Coming soon
Session 4: Coming soon
Take a break and explore our vendors.
Speaker: Celina Peerman, Ph.D.
Hazards hide best in routines, and in busy environments the mind slips into automatic mode. Focus on the skills behind hazard recognition and real-time awareness. Participants will learn how to teach others to scan their environment differently, reset their attention during routine tasks, and use simple tools to notice changes, disruptions, and early warning signs. We’ll look at how filtering, time pressure, and visual overload affect job performance and practice strategies anyone can use to see sooner and act faster.
Enjoy a delicious meal and visit with fellow attendees and exhibitors.
Session 1: Coming soon
Session 2: Coming soon
Session 3: Coming soon
Session 4: Coming soon
Visit vendor exhibits while on your way to the next breakout sessions.
Session 1: Coming soon
Session 2: Coming soon
Session 3: Coming soon
Session 4: Coming soon
Your final call to visit with vendors before the end of the conference.
Session 1: Coming soon
Session 2: Coming soon
Session 3: Coming soon
Session 4: Coming soon