The 2025 Fuzion Safety Conference was held March 4-5, 2025, in Orlando, FL, bringing together a diverse group of safety professionals. The conference, organized by UTRS’s Fuzion Safety division, a leader in aviation safety support for over three decades, aimed to share best practices in safety and address the recent regulatory shifts mandating comprehensive safety management systems (SMSs).
This year’s event fostered an inclusive environment where attendees could engage in discussions surrounding safety standards and lessons learned that transcend various industries. The conference featured a lineup of insightful presentations led by experts dedicated to enhancing safety practices.
Highlights:
Jeff Rafferty (Assistant Manager of SMS Program Office, AFS-910) discussed the intricacies of FAA regulations, focusing on Part 5 compliance. His presentation emphasized the core principles of SMS and the pivotal role of fostering a positive safety culture within organizations.
Corey Jones (owner of Safetyman Consulting LLC) provided valuable insights into proactive crisis management strategies. His session, complemented by a hands-on workshop, equipped professionals with techniques to detect and mitigate risks before they escalated into serious issues.
Jenn Trallo Schreiber (Quality and Safety Consultant, Quality Insights, LLC) shared her extensive knowledge on preventing workplace violence through a systems-thinking approach. Her workshop helped participants understand the complexities of workplace dynamics and how to safeguard employees in high-risk environments.
Rick Thompson (licensed clinical social worker) addressed mental health issues in the workplace, shedding light on the rising challenges of employee anxiety, depression, and burnout. His workshop offered practical tools to support mental wellness at work.
Leah Botkin (ASAP Manager, Fuzion Safety) delivered a workshop focused on ASAP facilitation services, ensuring attendees left with practical knowledge to aid their organizations.
Kenneth Stacy (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency [CISA]) discussed the essential services and resources CISA provides to help organizations secure their critical systems. His presentation underscored the increasing importance of cybersecurity in maintaining overall safety.
Jeremy Barclay (Managing Director of Safety, SkyWest Airlines) brought attention to the components of a robust safety culture and continuous improvement. His presentation highlighted the role of safety leaders in fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth.
Tiffany Whilden (Director of Safety, Ryan Air) shared insights on creating scalable and simplistic SMSs that prioritize purpose, people, and performance, guiding organizations through the SMS compliance process.
Melvin Rodriguez (CEO, Nexus Software Systems) and Robin Schelling (CEO, SAP Safety & Consulting) provided a critical overview of the necessity for drug and alcohol testing within safety initiatives, emphasizing the proactive role safety professionals must play in promoting awareness and compliance.
Aaron Fettig (Aviation Safety Specialist, University of North Dakota) shed light on the unique challenges faced by collegiate flight training programs in implementing FAA-approved safety initiatives, offering lessons learned along the way.
The conference was made possible by the generous support from Gold sponsors, including Flight Dynamics, AirSync, and Nexus Software Systems. With a wealth of knowledge shared and connections made, the 2025 Fuzion Safety Conference set a powerful precedent for future events, reinforcing the importance of collaboration across industries to enhance safety practices. Attendees left inspired and better equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of safety within their organizations. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next Fuzion Safety Conference!