The Californer - Workplace safety ideas from the front lines to highlight Applied Ergonomics Conference in Arlington, Texas

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Applied Ergonomics Conference keynote speakers.

NORCROSS, Ga. - Californer -- The latest gear, ideas and innovations aimed at making workplaces safer and more efficient will be on display at the Applied Ergonomics Conference, March 9-12, 2026, at the Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas.

The four-day event gathers the top practitioners and researchers in ergonomics, workplace health and human safety. The program includes dozens of presentations on varied track topics, along with panel discussions, speakers and networking events. To view the program, visit iise.org/AEC.

An annual highlight is the prestigious Ergo Cup ^® Competition in which dozens of front-line workers from participating organizations display their interventions to make job tasks pain-free and streamline bulky processes. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony March 12.

Also popular is the Exhibit Hall where more than two dozen companies and organizations show off their products and services. In addition, Ergo Cup teams will demonstrate their innovative solutions.

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The keynote speakers are Mark Benden, Chief Technology Officer of Humanate Digital Inc., and Cassini Nazir, Assistant Professor of Communication Design: User-Experience Design at the University of North Texas.

Also featured are facility tours March 9 at Cook Children's Medical Center and the University of Texas at Arlington Human Factors Lab.

I think overall the conference experience is something that every year keeps getting better and better," said Anuja Patil of CNA Insurance, Applied Ergonomics Society president. "The Ergo Cup entries and just visiting the booths is a highlight, and the networking event we had on the first day of the conference was really amazing."

"I've always said that the great thing about this conference is the mix of academia as well as professionals who are ergonomists out in the field working for various organizations," Jim Mecham, owner/operator of AcuCure Injury Prevention, said in a Problem Solved podcast interview from the 2025 conference.

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There is still time to register at iise.org/AEC/register. Team discounts are available for four or more from the same organization.

About IISE: The Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers is the world's largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial engineering profession and individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. Founded in 1948, IISE is an international, nonprofit association that provides knowledge, training, networking opportunities and recognition to enhance the skills and effectiveness of its members, customers and the profession. For more information about IISE, visit iise.org and to learn more about the Applied Ergonomics Society, go to iise.org/AES.