It’s only fitting that Seattle would play host to AIHce 2017. Both are hotbeds of innovation and both attract leading professionals from around the globe. This June the two will converge creating a can’t-miss experience for IH/OH professionals.
In addition to thousands of acres of mountainous and forested parkland, Washington State’s largest city is home to nearly 500 houseboats moored on the picturesque Puget Sound. At the heart of the Seattle skyline sits the iconic Space Needle, a space-age spire of 605 ft. erected for the 1962 World’s Fair that appears to pin this lofty landscape to the map. Look beyond the postcard perfection of this scenic wonder and you will see the beating heart of a tech boom that in some way reaches virtually – and “virtually” reaches – every household in the country and many around the world.
In many ways Seattle is the new Silicon Valley. In fact, Seattle-based real estate giant Redfin reports that the number of Silicon Valley residents searching for homes in the Seattle region quadrupled between 2011 and 2015. Employers flock to the area for its winning combination of natural beauty, high quality of life, and a “tremendous” talent pool. Some have called it a “a global magnet for skilled workers across a broad range of technical disciplines.”
Experts claim the Seattle-area’s white-hot tech market is the result of generations of successful entrepreneurs. Boeing and Nordstrom established the trend here for innovation and success and the area has since become home to some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon, Costco, Expedia, REI and Zillow. Other big name technology leaders, headquartered elsewhere, have nonetheless established a large presence in the region. Among them are Google, Facebook, Apple, and Uber.
And the next generation of successful entrepreneurs are laying claim to the city at a rapid pace. Upwards of 700 tech startups set up shop in the region last year alone. This freshman class attracted nearly $2 billion dollar in investments and spans industries from aerospace and engineering to biotech and finance firms.
As Seattle sets the tone for success in the marketplace, AIHce helps to define success for safety in the workplace. We look forward to seeing you there!