First speakers announced for Working at Height Conference & Awards 2026

IPAF has unveiled the first wave of speakers for its Working at Height Conference & Awards 2026, which will take place on 28-29 October at the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, Florida, USA.

An important event for senior decision-makers across the powered access industry, the confirmed speaker line-up will provide thought-provoking content to engage, entertain and intrigue attendees.

Confirmed Speakers & Topics

Nicole McGregor, managing principal at Ducker Carlisle
2026 MEWP Rental Market Trends
Delivering an in-depth look at the size of the North American MEWP rental market, Nicole will cover recent developments and future growth drivers, alongside key topics currently shaping the sector.

Paola Palazzani, president at Palazzani, & Ben Taft, VP of Sales, North America at Palazzani
Choosing the Right Machine for the Right Job – Atrium & Spider Lifts in a Growing Market
This joint presentation will explore the evolution of spider lifts from niche equipment to a growing market standard, driven by increasingly complex job sites and higher expectations in terms of safety and performance. It will highlight how access challenges are changing, from confined spaces to sensitive flooring and uneven terrain, making machine selection a critical factor in ensuring efficiency and risk reduction. A specific focus will be dedicated to the North American market, with real-world insights on emerging applications such as indoor maintenance and arboriculture. Finally, the session will address key industry trends, including sustainability and technological innovation, positioning aerial platforms not just as equipment, but as strategic solutions tailored to modern job site demands.

Tony Groat, North America – regional manager at IPAF
Standards Update
This presentation provides an overview of current developments and activities related to Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) industry standards. Updates will cover work within ANSI/SAIA A92, CSA B354, and ISO standards. The session will highlight recent revisions, ongoing initiatives, and emerging topics affecting MEWP design, safe use, and training.

Federico Rio, senior vice president of Product & Pricing at Trackunit
Topic to be confirmed

Peter Douglas, CEO & managing director at IPAF, & Giles Councell, director of operations at IPAF
The Three Safety Pillars of IPAF in North America
Covering a global IPAF update, plans from the North American Regional Council (NARC), and the latest safety campaign initiatives.

Peter Douglas, CEO & managing director of IPAF, said, “Following the success of the last two editions of our Working at Height Conference & Awards, which attracted an exceptionally high calibre audience of manager- and director-level professionals, the 2026 event is expected to once again deliver premium networking opportunities alongside expert industry insight. Concluding with the fantastic Working at Height 2026 Awards Dinner and Ceremony, it really is the leading North American event for the access industry.”

2026 Working at Height Awards

The Working at Height Awards celebrate the people, products, and organisations driving real progress across the powered access and working at height sector.

These prestigious awards shine a spotlight on those who are raising the bar for safe, effective, and responsible work at height around the world.

With categories recognising safety innovation, technological advancement, new products, and IPAF North America Member Company of the Year, this is your opportunity to showcase outstanding achievement and gain industry-wide recognition.

Remember, if shortlisted, your company will receive two complimentary tickets.

Sponsorship

The Working at Height Conference & Awards event will attract a wide range of equipment buyers and users, including many of the largest access rental companies in North America. The event will comprise an evening networking reception followed by a world-class conference and evening awards dinner to celebrate industry best practices – a perfect setting to promote your company brand and products to the biggest buyers and users of access equipment in North America.

To register for tickets – the Early Bird deadline is Friday 31 July 2026, enter the awards or become a sponsor, you can find more information at https://workingatheightevent.com/.