18:00 – 20:00
Event Program
*timings subject to change
28 October
Welcome Networking Drinks Reception
29 October
08:00 – 09:00
Registration, Networking & Morning Coffee
09:00 – 09:15
Welcome Remarks
09:15 – 10:00
Keynote Speaker 1 – To Be Announced
10:00 – 10:30
2026 MEWP Rental Market Trends
This presentation will address the current size of the MEWP rental market in North America, recent changes and anticipated future activity. Hot market topics and growth drivers will be highlighted.
Nicole McGregor, Managing Principal (Ducker Carlisle)
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30
Data-driven MEWP safety that actually sticks
A lot of MEWP safety lives in manuals and policies that never reach the jobsite. Federico, will explain how focusing on a few clear signals such as usage, access, and pre-use checks can turn safety from paperwork into everyday behavior.
Federico Rio,
Senior Vice President of Product & Pricing (Trackunit)
11:30 – 12:00
Choosing the right machine for the right job – Atrium & Spider lifts in a growing market
The presentation will explore the evolution of spider lifts from niche equipment to a growing market standard, driven by increasingly complex job sites and higher expectations in terms of safety and performance.
It will highlight how access challenges are changing, from confined spaces to sensitive flooring and uneven terrain, making machine selection a critical factor in ensuring efficiency and risk reduction. A specific focus will be dedicated to the North American market, with real-world insights on emerging applications such as indoor maintenance and arboriculture.
Finally, the session will address key industry trends, including sustainability and technological innovation, positioning aerial platforms not just as equipment, but as strategic solutions tailored to modern job site demands.
Paola Palazzani, President (Palazzani)
Ben Taft, Vice President of Sales, North America (Palazzani)
12:00 – 12:30
Standards Update
This presentation provides an overview of current developments and activities related to Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) industry standards. Updates will cover work within ANSI/SAIA A92, CSA B354, and ISO standards. The session will highlight recent revisions, ongoing initiatives, and emerging topics affecting MEWP design, safe use, and training.
Tony Groat,
North America Regional Manager (IPAF)
12:30 – 13:45
Lunch & Networking
13:45 – 14:30
Afternoon Keynote Speaker
Steve Hawkins,
Chief Operating Officer (FDR Safety LLC)
14:30 – 15:00
The Three Safety Pillars of IPAF in North America:
IPAF Global Update – IPAF North American Regional Council (NARC) Plans – IPAF Safety Campaign
Covering a global IPAF update, plans from the North American Regional Council (NARC), and the latest safety campaign initiatives.
Peter Douglas, CEO & MD (IPAF)
Brian Clark, Director of Product Support (Sunbelt Rentals)
Giles Councell, Director of Operations (IPAF)
15:00 – 15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:15
Demonstration Sessions
This session features live presentations and practical showcases delivered by sponsor companies from across the powered access industry, including manufacturers, distributors, rental companies, service providers and component suppliers. Participating companies will be confirmed closer to the event.
Demonstrations will highlight the latest equipment, technologies, safety systems, components and support services, giving attendees the opportunity to see products in action and speak directly with industry experts. Demonstration topics will be confirmed closer to the event.
16:15 – 16:45
Presentation 6
16:45 – 17:00
Closing Remarks
17:00 – 18:45
Working at Height Awards Drinks Reception
18:45 – 21:15
Working at Height Awards Dinner & Ceremony
Conference Speakers
Paola Palazzani is President of Palazzani Industrie S.p.A., a family-owned company with 90 years of experience in the design and manufacturing of aerial work platforms. She leads the company with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and international growth. Under her leadership, Palazzani has strengthened its global presence, while continuing to invest in advanced technologies and eco-friendly solutions for working at height.
Ben is Vice President of Sales at Palazzani North America, where he is responsible for driving commercial strategy and business development across the North American market. With extensive experience in the aerial platform sector, he focuses on expanding dealer networks, strengthening customer relationships, and supporting the growth of Palazzani’s presence through a structured and market-oriented approach.
Nicole McGregor is a Managing Principal at Ducker Carlisle, a global market research and consulting firm specializing in the Heavy Equipment industry. Throughout Nicole’s 30-year career, she has focused on monitoring trends within heavy equipment markets around the world including partnership with IPAF on an annual MEWP Rental Trends study for more than a decade. Her areas of expertise include Voice-of-Customer and Voice-of-Channel research, Competitive Intelligence and Strategy Development. Nicole holds a Bachelors of Science in Marketing from Indiana University.
Federico Rio is a 25-year veteran of construction having cut his teeth in the heavy equipment industry with Caterpillar. Specializing in machine design, digital & technology, and sales & marketing, he joined Trackunit in 2023 where he is Senior Vice President of Product & Pricing.
Peter joined IPAF in 2019, having previously been an IPAF Board member. He formerly worked for IPAF Member firm Nationwide Platforms in a variety of roles over more than 27 years.
Since Peter joined IPAF, he has driven forward the global IPAF accident reporting project, overseen a significant rise in uptake of IPAF's eLearning worldwide, as well as the introduction of new training courses and the implementation of the ePAL IPAF app for MEWP and MCWP operators.
Peter has over three decades' experience in powered access and hopes to make the industry worldwide as safe as it possibly can be. As a member of the Access Industry Forum (AIF), Peter continues to contribute IPAF's views to the UK APPG of MPs inquiring into falls from height. He is also a trustee of the AIF's No Falls Foundation.
Giles is directly responsible for the management, administration and implementation of IPAF’s training programmes. He is a certified IPAF instructor for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and a British Standards Institute (BSI) accredited ISO 9001 lead auditor.
Giles holds an honours degree in business management. Prior to joining IPAF, he spent eight years in the construction industry and two years in the construction recruitment sector.
Tony has occupied his current role for over 15 years and brings the knowledge and experience of over 30 years in the equipment rental industry with a focus on temporary work at height. Known as a subject-matter expert regarding the safe-use and training for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), he is also a member or chair of MEWP standards for design, safe-use and training for US ANSI A92 standards, Canadian CSA B354 standards, and ISO TC214 international standards. He is an author and presenter on MEWP safe-use and training and was awarded the Access Lift & Handlers 2019 Person of the Year status in recognition for his contribution to the industry.
Become a 2026 Speaker
Suggestions for presentation topics and speakers are welcome for Working at Height 2026. Please contact Courtney Kellett for additional information.
Courtney Kellett
IPAF Events Manager
✉ events@ipaf.org
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Media Sponsor
