Hedgerow Software is really looking forward to NEHA’s AEC in Spokane, Washington later this month. I asked the team what they are most excited about as we travel across the country to see old friends and make new ones. Here are three reasons we are ecstatic to attend and exhibit at NEHA’s upcoming conference:
Leadership Rising to Meet Challenges
Hedgerow is proud to sponsor the leadership track this year at the AEC. I’ve always felt the best leaders rise to meet the largest challenges and environmental health leaders have really stepped up during a historically difficult time. It was great listening to Adam London speak in Michigan at MEHA’s conference and we’re looking forward to hearing his panel discuss obstacles they’ve overcome during the pandemic.
We are also excited to listen to Dr. Umair Shah’s opening keynote address. We couldn’t agree more about the challenge EH and public health have in terms of the “invisibility crisis” agencies often face when securing funding for critical programs and staff. We hope this theme is discussed in more depth and agencies are able to learn new approaches that will help them get the proper staffing and tools/technology they need to succeed.
Reconnecting with Colleagues and Clients
It really seems like the last in person AEC was a lifetime ago. In some ways, it was. We can’t wait to see everyone again, including our environmental health agency clients, industry experts, and fellow technologists. It’s been far too long.
I know agendas are packed, however, we’d love to connect in person with you. We’re hosting a number of VIP activities for agency leaders, including a happy hour before the keynote on Tuesday and a breakfast conversation with the City of Lubbock on Wednesday about becoming data-driven in a post pandemic world. If you’d like to join us onsite, please message myself or Adam Souza soon for details as space is limited.
Data-driven Environmental Health
I recently wrote about the need to improve data standardization within environmental health and was thrilled with the outpouring of impassioned ideas, blockers, and how we can improve this critical aspect of EH. Without better incentives for mid-sized and smaller agencies to leverage technology for better data capture, reporting, and analysis, it will be difficult to move the EH needle at a macro-level across the country. We’re excited to continue the conversation with agencies and industry experts from NEHA, FDA, and others.
On a related note, Hedgerow is hosting a discussion with the City of Lubbock, Texas about this topic during the AEC. Adam Souza will chat with past TEHA president and environmental health leader, Stevan Walker. Stevan has helped lead his agency through the pandemic and will discuss how they are becoming more data-driven. We are excited to discuss this with him again on Wednesday June 29th at 12pm PST at the Spokane Convention Center leadership track stage.
What are you most excited about? Leave a comment below or connect with me on LinkedIn. Also, make sure to stop by the exhibit hall booth #402 to say hello to the Hedgerow team. We’ll see you in Spokane.
