The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is a 501(c)3 non-profitorganization and submits this proposal to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) underthe Small Scientific Conference Program (R13/U13), PA Number: RFA-FD-08-003, Catalog ofFederal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.103. Grant assistance will be used to develop,administer, and conduct a seven/eight-day educational conference, 'NEHA's 74th AnnualEducational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition.' The AEC will take place June 6-9, 2010 (plusthree days of pre-conference workshops and courses on June 3-5 and one day with a post-conference exam on June 10), at the Albuquerque Convention Center and Hyatt Regency andDoubletree hotels in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. The objective of the AEC is toprovide a unique opportunity for attendees to receive contemporary, relevant, high quality, andaffordable education that is designed to meet the needs of environmental health professionals(EHP). The AEC is one of the primary methods that NEHA utilizes to deliver this education, andNEHA has an obligation to enhance the impact of the education it offers by delivering it in morecontemporary ways. In these uncertain times, now more than ever, EHPs need the knowledge,skills, and abilities to be prepared. The 2010 AEC will give serious attention to how theprofession is changing-especially in response to economic pressures and the emergence ofprofession-based performance standards. NEHA is taking a leadership role in mapping out a newprofile for the profession. The AEC will serve as a convergence for NEHA and the EHprofession to explore this evolution, address present concerns and future issues, and start to pavenew ways to ensure the profession's positive growth. Attendees will be a part of this excitingmovement within EH and take away the inspiration and information needed to lead themselves,their organization, and their profession into the future. Special features of the 2010 AEC include: emphasis on return on investment (ROI)because over 90% of attendees feel the investment in attending the AEC is of good value and canexpect to implement what they learn and see job-related improvements; technical sectionsteaming up to bring quality education such as the food security track with expertise from both thefood safety and terrorism and all hazards preparedness sections; new information on H1N1 flu,community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA), riskcommunication/assessment, and emergency management mitigation planning; and a focus ongreater EH roles within the areas of sustainability. The Lecture Hall will provide opportunities tohear comprehensive information from experts with over 160 speakers and 130+ educationalsessions on food safety and protection, terrorism and all-hazards preparedness, sustainability, andmany more EH topics. There will also be a Learning Laboratory that offers attendees interactiveeducational sessions including summits and symposiums, roundtable discussions, groupexercises, hands-on activities, a poster session, panel discussions, and innovative presentationformats. The primary audience is state and local EHPs, and NEHA expects about 1,500attendees. The proposed project beginning and ending dates are March 1, 2010 - Feb. 28, 2011. The assistance from FDA under the Small Scientific Conference Program becomesessential in maintaining the quality of the 2010 AEC. NEHA anticipates an estimated cost of$600,000 for the AEC, and we are requesting assistance in the amount of $25,000 from FDA,which represents about 4% of the estimated total conference costs. NEHA received fundingassistance under this program for the 2008 AEC (1R13FD003509-01) and the 2009 AEC(1R13FD003772-01). For more information, please feel free to contact Vanessa T. De Arman ofNEHA's Research and Development staff at 303-756-9090, ext. 311 or at vdearman@neha.org.
The Annual Educational Conference &Exhibition is the centerpiece of the National Environmental Health Association's mission to advance environmental health professionals (EHPs) through education and training. It provides EHPs with a vitally important opportunity to learn the latest developments and techniques in EH and food safety. The conference also serves to motivate EHPs as they return to their respective communities ready to apply what they have learned-and gives them a strong sense of commitment to and experience in practical community problem-solving and education.
