Safety & Training Forum and Awards 2025

Date & Title Monday, Oct 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM to Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM CEST

Location Hotel NH Madrid Ventas, C/ de Biarritz, 2, Madrid, Madrid, 28028, Spain

1. Select Seats

2. Review and Proceed

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Event Information

Monday, Oct 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM to Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM CEST

Hotel NH Madrid Ventas, C/ de Biarritz, 2, Madrid, Madrid, 28028, Spain.

On 7th & 8th October, GWO will be hosting its annual Safety & Training Forum. As a ‘must do’ in the community’s calendar, the Forum brings together safety and training experts from across the world to discuss the industry’s most pressing challenges.

As a non-profit industry association, GWO places a high value on connecting with its community, so the Forum is specifically designed to foster open discussion and collaboration. You'll have the chance to network with peers, hear updates from GWO and contribute to shaping the future of our industry through workshop sessions.

You’ll enjoy a packed conference programme over two full days, plus the Forum culminates in the GWO Safety & Training Awards, where outstanding examples of GWO training from around the world, compete for the attention of an independent panel of expert judges. A record number of nominations have already been received, and hundreds of instructors creating great learning outcomes every day will hope to win the Instructor of the Year Award.

Who should Attend?

Previous Forum’s were attended by 150+ representatives of the GWO community including training providers, certification bodies, member representatives from O&M’s, industry associations and suppliers.

GWO knows how important it is to for our community to come together, all look one another in the eye and work for the good of our industry. It's so important it's written into our non-profit DNA and in our ‘by the industry, for the industry’ ethos.

What to Expect

Facilitating dialogue between the different groups in the GWO community is built into the DNA of the event. There are naturally plenty of opportunities for networking and the various workshop sessions provide a space for structured engagement on the GWO training and safety programme. Bring along your great ideas and be prepared to join in with questions and opinions.

The GWO Safety & Training Forum is designed with a programme that will activate and engage you on the issues that matter to your community. Secure your place at the Forum and you'll get to meet with partners, colleagues and customers in an environment where open discussion and debate is our priority.                                                                                                

Event Location

About Organizer

GWO Organizer name

http://www.globalwindsafety.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from the Forum?

Dialogue between the different groups in the GWO community is built into the DNA of the event. There are plenty of opportunities for networking and the various workshop sessions on the GWO training programme provide a space for structured engagement. Bring along your great ideas and be prepared to join in with questions and opinions.

Who should attend?

The GWO Safety & Training Forum is designed for all wind industry decision-makers with a focus on workforce in wind. The Forum will welcome GWO member representatives, training providers, certification bodies, auditors and opinion formers. This event is not aimed at wind technicians.

When will the Awards ceremony be held?

The Awards ceremony is scheduled for the first day of the event, on 7th October. Further details regarding the programme will be provided in July and August.

Are there any sponsorship opportunities?

There are a small number of sponsorship opportunities. If you would like to know more, you can contact the Forum Team directly: vc@globalwindsafety.org

Are there any registration fees to attend?

Please note the following registration fees for the GWO Safety & Training Forum (including Awards ceremony):

  • GWO Members: €350 before 1st July 2025, and €400 after this date (Please refer to the list of GWO Member Organisations here)
  • GWO Certified Training Providers: €350 before 1st July and €400 after this date (Please refer to the list of GWO Certified Training Providers here)
  • Non-member companies, suppliers and non-GWO Certified Training Providers: €600
Will I be able to attend the Forum online?

Unfortunately, we will not be streaming the event. The Forum is designed as an interactive event of panel discussions, round tables and workshop sessions. GWO believes this kind of event is best held face to face. A summary of the event will be published shortly after for the wider community.

How do I reserve a place at the conference?

Reservations for the Forum can be made through GWO’s booking system. You may book up to four tickets per booking for yourself and your colleagues.

I booked a ticket, but it hasn’t arrived.

Once your payment has been received and approved, we will confirm your place at the Forum. You don’t need to bring your ticket: on the day of the event, simply pass by the registration table to collect your badge.

I booked a ticket but can no longer attend.

Tickets are transferable, and any changes should be communicated to comms@globalwindsafety.org. Refunds are only available until 20th September 2025. The transaction fees for the tickets will not be refunded.

Can you recommend any hotels in Madrid, Spain?

The Safety & Training Forum will be held at the NH Madrid Ventas.

To make your stay even more convenient, we have secured a group rate for attendees. However, please note that the GWO promo code is limited. You can easily book your stay at the hotel by following this link:

https://www.nh-hotels.com/en/event/safety-and-training-forum

Where is the Forum taking place?

NH Madrid Ventas

C/ de Biarritz, 2

Madrid, 28028, Spain

Do I need a visa to attend?

Normal visa entry requirements for Spain and the European Union apply to this event. GWO is not able to advise on individual requirements.

Speakers

About Andrew LaBonte
Training Evaluation Specialist
GWO

About Christopher Furlan
Head of Training Quality Assurance
Global Wind Organisation

About Dan Ortega
Network Development Manager
Global Wind Organisation

About Daniela Santopolo
Policy Officer
European Commission - Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

 

About Dennis Elsberg
Vice President of HSQE
RES Group

About Gerben Huiszoon
Project Manager
Scalda

About Frank Emil Moen
CEO/Managing Partner
Energy Innovation AS

About Huawen (Howard) Xie
Global EHS Director & Compliance Commissioner
Envision Energy
About Ian Noble
L&D Manager ‑ Renewables
Maersk Training

About Jakob Lau Holst
CEO
Global Wind Organisation
About John Barrie
VP Training & Workforce Development
Vestas Wind Systems A/S

About Julie Brown
Head of Training Development
Global Wind Organisation

About Lynsey Benson
Head of Policy and External Affairs
ECITB

About Mariana Batista
Education & Skills Manager
WindEurope

About Rachael McFarlane
Manager
Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy

About Ralph Savage
Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer (CSRO)
Global Wind Organisation

About Sebastian von Lueders
Head of Central Supplier QHSE Management
Ørsted

https://www.globalsolarcouncil.org/
About Sonia Dunlop
CEO
Global Solar Council

About Scott Young
Head of Skills
RenewableUK

About Tove Lunde
Vice President, Safety, Security and Sustainability Renewables
Equinor

 

About Omar Camargo
Training Manager
Pearce Renewables

About Per Larsen
Head of Learning & Product Development
Maersk Training

About Ulrike Drescher
Global Competence Manager
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

Event Sponsors

Event Partner

Event Schedule

Session Date
Clear all ×

Sessions on Oct 06, 2025

05:30 PM

DAY 0 - Welcome Reception

05:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Sessions on Oct 07, 2025

09:00 AM

Opening Remarks _ CEO

09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
    speaker

    Jakob Lau Holst

    CEOGlobal Wind Organisation

    SocialLink
    09:15 AM

    Keynote - Daniela Santopolo

    09:15 AM - 09:30 AM
      speaker

      Daniela Santopolo

      Policy OfficerEuropean Commission - Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

      SocialLink
      09:30 AM
        speaker

        Daniela Santopolo

        Policy OfficerEuropean Commission - Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

        SocialLink
        speaker

        John Barrie

        VP Training & Workforce DevelopmentVestas Wind Systems A/S
        SocialLink
        speaker

        Mariana Batista

        Education & Skills ManagerWindEurope

        SocialLink
        speaker

        Rachael McFarlane

        ManagerSkillnet Offshore Wind Academy

        SocialLink
        speaker

        Scott Young

        Head of SkillsRenewableUK

        SocialLink
        11:00 AM

        Morning Break

        11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
        11:30 AM
          speaker

          Gerben Huiszoon

          Project ManagerScalda

          SocialLink
          speaker

          Frank Emil Moen

          CEO/Managing PartnerEnergy Innovation AS

          SocialLink
          speaker

          Lynsey Benson

          Head of Policy and External AffairsECITB

          SocialLink
          01:00 PM

          Lunch Break

          01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
          02:00 PM
            speaker

            Julie Brown

            Head of Training DevelopmentGlobal Wind Organisation

            SocialLink
            speaker

            Tove Lunde

            Vice President, Safety, Security and Sustainability RenewablesEquinor

            SocialLink
            03:00 PM

            Afternoon Break

            03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
            03:30 PM
              speaker

              Christopher Furlan

              Head of Training Quality AssuranceGlobal Wind Organisation

              SocialLink
              speaker

              Ian Noble

              L&D Manager ‑ RenewablesMaersk Training
              SocialLink
              speaker

              Ulrike Drescher

              Global Competence ManagerSiemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

              SocialLink
              05:00 PM
                speaker

                Ralph Savage

                Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer (CSRO)Global Wind Organisation

                SocialLink
                05:45 PM

                DAY 1 - Winners' Reception

                05:45 PM - 07:30 PM
                Sponsors

                Sessions on Oct 08, 2025

                09:00 AM
                  speaker

                  Dennis Elsberg

                  Vice President of HSQERES Group

                   

                  SocialLink
                  speaker

                  Jakob Lau Holst

                  CEOGlobal Wind Organisation

                  SocialLink
                  speaker

                  Sonia Dunlop

                  CEOGlobal Solar Council

                  SocialLink
                  speaker

                  Omar Camargo

                  Training ManagerPearce Renewables

                   

                  SocialLink
                  speaker

                  Per Larsen

                  Head of Learning & Product DevelopmentMaersk Training

                  SocialLink
                  10:00 AM
                    speaker

                    Julie Brown

                    Head of Training DevelopmentGlobal Wind Organisation

                    SocialLink
                    11:00 AM

                    Morning Break

                    11:00 AM - 10:30 AM
                    11:30 AM
                      speaker

                      Andrew LaBonte

                      Training Evaluation SpecialistGWO

                      SocialLink
                      01:00 PM

                      Lunch Break

                      01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
                      02:00 PM

                      Fireside Chat

                      02:00 PM - 02:30 PM
                        speaker

                        Huawen (Howard) Xie

                        Global EHS Director & Compliance CommissionerEnvision Energy

                        SocialLink
                        speaker

                        Jakob Lau Holst

                        CEOGlobal Wind Organisation

                        SocialLink
                        speaker

                        Sebastian von Lueders

                        Head of Central Supplier QHSE ManagementØrsted

                        SocialLink
                        02:30 PM

                        Photo Gallery

                        Book your accomodation

                        Conveniently located in Madrid’s Salamanca district, NH Madrid Ventas offers modern, comfortable rooms just a short metro ride from the city center. The hotel features a seasonal outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, and easy access to public transport. Find special deal for our guests below:

                        https://www.nh-hotels.com/en/event/safety-and-training-forum