Hedgerow Software Blog

4 Reasons to be Excited About the NEHA AEC 2025

by Darryl Booth
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The Hedgerow Software team is really looking forward to NEHA’s annual education conference (AEC) in Phoenix next week! From insightful sessions on data, analytics, and artificial intelligence to photo booth fun and flip cup games, our onsite team of Neil, Landon, Erika, and yours truly, can’t wait to make new environmental health friends. Without further ado, here are four reasons our team can’t wait for the AEC… 

How to Utilize Data, Analytics, & Artificial Intelligence 

Data is an extremely valuable currency and how to use it for maximum EH benefit is a major theme at the AEC. Tuesday sessions that piqued our interest on the topic: (1) Explore ways to transform complex data into actionable insights, drive informed policy decisions, and optimize public health strategies. (2) Begin to master the interpretation of graphs and tables with a focus on drawing accurate conclusions to enhance your ability to analyze and interpret complex data. 

Speaking of interpreting data, Artificial intelligence (AI) will also be discussed on Wednesday with NEHA’s Chief Operating Officer Kelsey Lyon and Thursday Roy Kroeger and myself (Darryl Booth) will showcase how tools like Microsoft Co-Pilot and ChatGPT can streamline your workflows, enhance data-driven decisions, and simplify everyday tasks. From automating compliance documentation to developing training materials, AI rapidly transforms how EH professionals protect public health. Roy and I will demonstrate practical, real-world applications, allowing you to see AI in action and understand how it can boost productivity and free up time for critical fieldwork and inspections. 

DB NEHA AEC Session Save Date Card Short

fun with photography

Hedgerow is excited to sponsor the photo booth again this year! Make sure to swing by and take fun pics with your team. The Hedgerow team claims to have tips about how to take the most photogenic pictures possible, make sure to stop by booths #304 and #306 for fun with flip cup games and photo booth tips. :) 

NEHA AEC photo booth

insightful keynotes

Kate Gallego, the City of Phoenix mayor, welcomes attendees to the conference on Monday and is followed by Cesar Pina, McDonald’s North America SVP/Chief Supply Chain Officer. Cesar will explore how McDonald’s became an iconic brand through its franchise model and 3-Legged Stool approach uniting Owner/Operators, Corporate, and Suppliers to drive innovation, sustainability and growth. It should be an insightful keynote and reminds us of the skills required by agencies to be successful with a broad array of stakeholders, from citizens to business operators, politicians, and others. 

How to Manage Turbulence in Environmental Health 

In an era of turbulence and rapid change, EH teams face the challenging task of making bold decisions while remaining true to their organizational and personal values. With that in mind, it’s great to see so many sessions that provide actionable tools for agencies to navigate complex times. Two sessions caught our eye on Monday: (1) Overcoming Compassion Fatigue in EH and (2) Ugh. Uncertainty! How to Lead and Make Decisions in Unpredictable Times. Who doesn’t want to learn what “sta-gility” means and to hear from Dr. Lucy Houghton the 2024 AEC keynote speaker. 

What are you most excited about? Leave a comment here or connect with me on LinkedIn and we’ll see you in Phoenix. 

 

Darryl Booth

Darryl Booth

Darryl Booth has been monitoring regulatory and data tracking needs of environmental public health agencies for more than 20 years. He is the manager of U.S. operations for Hedgerow Software.

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