Keynote speakers
April 22 - wednesday Keynote
"7,200 Volts Later: The Shortcut That Changed Everything"
Bill Toms - The Safety Pirate
Bill delivers a powerful, firsthand account of surviving a life-altering high-voltage incident that changed his future forever. He takes audiences on a compelling journey—from the accident and recovery to rebuilding his life and launching a career in occupational safety. Attendees will gain eye-opening insights into current fatality and injury trends, learn how to use OSHA data to predict risks within their own industries, and understand the most common reasons workplace injuries occur. Most importantly, Bill translates hard lessons into practical strategies, showing how stronger safety management programs can prevent injuries and save lives.
Bill is living proof that one moment can change everything. He survived a 7,200-volt electrocution—an accident that should have ended his story, but instead, it transformed his life. Today, he’s taken that life-altering experience and turned it into a powerful mission: to raise awareness, inspire change, and help others prioritize safety in every task. As a safety professional and keynote speaker, he now shares his journey at conferences, workplaces, and events across the country, showing the real consequences of shortcuts and the true value of safety.
April 23 - thursday keynote
"Lead Like a Hero: Why the Small Moments Matter Most"
Rich Webb - Owner / Master Instructor - Blue Ethos Specialized Training
In high-risk environments, leadership is rarely defined by a single crisis—it’s
shaped by the everyday moments that build trust, confidence, and readiness long before something goes wrong.
In Lead Like a Hero, Rich Webb draws on nearly two decades of law-enforcement and safety leadership experience to explore the difference between leading with presence and purpose versus leading through avoidance and fear. Through powerful stories and practical insights, this keynote focuses on the 99.9% of leadership moments that determine how teams perform, communicate, and follow when it matters most.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how intuition, preparation, and difficult conversations play a critical role in safety culture—and why relationships, not titles, are the foundation of effective leadership.