(INDIANAPOLIS) -- Whether the extent of your safety training is "Don't run with scissors!" or you are among the many certified professionals out there, the 2013 Indiana Safety and Health Conference & Expo on March 11-13 offers a wealth of safety and health information for every Hoosier workplace.

The event has grown to be the largest of its kind in the Midwest - and is only getting bigger. More nationally-known expert speakers, a wider variety of educational breakout sessions -- 63 in total -- and a record 100 vendor booths are all on tap for this year.

The Indiana Safety and Health Conference & Expo is presented by the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in partnership with INSafe Indiana and the Indiana Association of Occupational Health Nurses.

The top reason to attend, according to Kerri Begley, Indiana Chamber vice president of conferences and special events, is the ability "to hear safety experts from around the country right in your own backyard."

Those speakers include Joseph Torrillo, a 9/11 first responder and 24-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department. Torrillo will present the opening general session on March 12. During the March 13 general session, Jacy Good will emotionally urge everyone to "Hang Up and Drive" when she discusses the dangers of distracted driving. Good's parents were killed and she was severely injured when a driver talking on his cell phone caused a devastating car crash in 2008.

It's not just the speakers, however, that make the event so valuable, says Vince Plank, president of the Central Indiana Chapter of ASSE.

"The conference and expo not only provide numerous opportunities for individuals to learn about the latest and greatest in environmental health and safety technology and best practices, but also provides attendees with excellent opportunities for networking," Plank offers. "There are seven different educational and professional development tracks to choose from to satisfy the entry-level, middle-line and experienced professional."

The Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis is the new location for the 2013 event. Cost for the three-day conference and expo is $448 per person; two-day conference and expo is $349; one-day conference is $249; and the March 11 pre-conference workshop is $99. Group discounts are available.

On March 13, the Governor's Workplace Safety Awards will be presented during a luncheon. Cost is $49 per ticket or $449 for a table of 10.

Details, including full conference brochure and link to register, are available at www.insafetyconf.com. You can also register by calling (317) 264-6885.

Gibson is the conference sponsor. Platinum sponsors are Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center; Musset, Nicholas + Associates; and Nucor Steel-Indiana. Gold sponsors are 3M; Community Employer Health; RMS-Safety; Vestil Manufacturing; and U.S. Safety Depot. Silver sponsors are Accelerated Rehabilitation Center; D.L. Steiner, Inc.; Franciscan Working Well/TravelWell; KHA Online-MSDS; Indiana School of Public Health Bloomington; National Workwear; SES Environmental; and Wilcox Environmental Engineering, Inc.

###

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is the state's largest broad-based business advocacy and information organization, representing nearly 5,000 member companies that employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.