NEHA 2026 AEC Wrap-Up
Exhibition
onstration. Further, Tyler Technologies, Inc. sponsored the afternoon beverage break, which created another opportunity for attendees to connect and exchange ideas. Additionally, the University of Pitts- burgh School of Public Health sponsored the Student Excellence Reception & Career Fair, providing an opportunity for students and emerging professionals to connect and build relationships within the environmen- tal health community. And of course, it is always fun to visit the NEHA booth to learn what is going on within your association, meet and chat with staff, pick up the last printed copy of the Journal , and access a wide variety of printed and digital resources. Attend- ees visiting the NEHA booth also helped select new badge ribbon sayings for AEC 2027. Participants cast their votes for several different suggested sayings, with write-in suggestions also welcomed. The top choice was “Really? Right in Front of My Clipboard?” followed closely by “I Know How to Sanitize a Turd” and “Keep EH Weird.” The activity brought a little humor and friendly competition to the Exhibit Hall while giving attendees a voice in a fun AEC tradition. We extend our sincere appreciation to all exhibitors, sponsors, presenters, and attendees who contributed to the 2026 AEC Exhibition. Each organization, conver- sation, research presentation, and profes- sional connection added to the strength of our environmental health tapestry. Together, we continue to weave a stronger, more collaborative community committed to advancing the profession and protecting the health of the communities we serve.
Our conference theme, “Woven Strong: The Environmental Health Tapestry,” came to life in the Exhibit Hall at the 2026 AEC. Bringing together environmen- tal public health professionals, industry partners, and researchers, the exhibi- tion highlighted the many connections that strengthen our profession. With 59 booths featuring a diverse range of prod- ucts, technologies, and services, attend- ees had the opportunity to discover new solutions, exchange ideas, and build rela- tionships. And this year’s exhibition wel- comed 10 first-time exhibitors, adding new perspectives and connections to the environmental health community. The Exhibition Grand Opening on Mon- day, August 3, set the stage for 2 days of exploration and engagement. Attendees visited exhibitors, reconnected with col- leagues, and met industry representatives while learning about resources to support their work. Each conversation and new connection represented another thread in the environmental health tapestry, bringing together the people, knowledge, and innovations needed to protect public health and strengthen communities. We were excited to have Dr. Osterholm, our keynote speaker, agree to sign copies of his latest book, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandem- ics , during the opening night. Research and education added important threads to this year’s exhibition experience. With a record number of posters in our Poster Session, attendees could explore current research, learn about emerging issues, and exchange ideas directly with the presenters. These posters showcased
the knowledge and dedication of students and professionals who are advancing envi- ronmental health and demonstrated how research and collaboration contribute to a stronger, more connected profession. Live demonstrations further connected attendees with practical solutions on Tuesday, August 4. HS GovTech pre- sented the morning demonstration, NEHA hosted the midday session, and Altro Floors + Walls rounded out the day in the afternoon. These presentations offered opportunities to learn about relevant tools and approaches while engaging directly with presenters and industry experts. Our sponsors also played an important role in bringing the conference theme to life. For the 6th consecutive year, HS Gov- Tech served as our Premier Sponsor for the AEC, also sponsoring an Exhibit Hall dem- onstration and the Environmental Health Photo Exhibition & Contest. Hedgerow Software sponsored the photo booth at the KC Live! event, giving attendees a fun way to capture memories and connections from the conference. NSF supported the event as both the Wi-Fi sponsor and President’s Reception sponsor, helping attendees stay connected and supporting opportunities for professional networking. Altro Floors + Walls sponsored an Exhibit Hall dem-
Put Your Brand at the Center of the AEC 2027 Reach environmental health professionals where decisions are made! Registration to exhibit at the AEC 2027 is now open. Early-bird registration is now available until February 28, 2027, space permitting. We are excited to hold the AEC 2027 in Portland, Oregon, on June 28–July 1, 2027, with the Exhibit Hall open on June 28 and 29. Contact NEHA Sales Manager Soni Fink at sfink@neha.org or (303) 802-2139 for questions regarding exhibition or sponsorship opportunities. Register to exhibit at www.neha.org/aec-exhibit.
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Volume 89 • Number 4
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