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Safety & Training Forum 2026

Monday, Sep 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM to Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM CEST

Salons de l'Aveyron - Paris Bercy, 17 Rue de l'Aubrac, Paris, IDF, 75012, France

1. Select Seats

2. Review and Proceed

Event Information

Monday, Sep 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM to Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM CEST

Salons de l'Aveyron - Paris Bercy, 17 Rue de l'Aubrac, Paris, IDF, 75012, France.

On 29 and 30 September, GWO will host its annual Safety & Training Forum. A must in the community’s calendar, the Forum brings together experts within workforce, safety and technical training from around the world to discuss the most pressing challenges and opportunities for the wind and solar industries. 

GWO places a high value on connecting with its community, and the Forum is specifically designed to foster open discussion and collaboration. The Forum ’26 aims to provide frequent opportunities for you to provide your input on GWO initiatives, while sharpening your knowledge of industry-specific trends. As such, you'll get the chance to network with peers, share your feedback in workshop sessions and be the first to know about new projects in the pipeline. 

By joining this year’s Forum, you’ll help shape the future of the wind and solar industries. More than ten years after the landmark Paris Agreement was adopted and 195 countries united in a resounding “yes” to the world’s first legally binding climate agreement, this year’s venue in the French capital has a special historical resonance, as we continue working to enable the energy transition. For our international community of Training Providers, the Forum ‘26 will emphasise intercultural collaboration and a shared curiosity about what lies ahead.  

This year’s programme has been carefully curated with your previous feedback in mind, includes the return of the GWO Safety & Training Awards, which will shine a spotlight on outstanding GWO Instructors and training teams from around the world. A record number of nominations have already been received  and hundreds of instructors creating great learning outcomes and championing safety every day will hope to win the Instructor of the Year Award. 

Who should Attend? 

The Forum is the GWO community's chance to come together in the spirit of our "by the industry, for the industry" ethos. Previous editions have welcomed attendance from over 150 representatives of the GWO community including Training Providers, Certification Bodies and Member representatives from O&Ms, industry associations and suppliers. Please note that this event is not relevant for wind or solar technicians.  

Your Voice, Your Forum  

Facilitating dialogue between different groups in our GWO community is woven into the DNA of the event. There will be plenty of opportunities for networking with your peers and the various workshop sessions provide a space for structured engagement on current hot topics, from education and skills to participant assessments. Bring along your great ideas and be prepared to challenge us with questions, opinions and suggestions.  

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, peers and purchasers in an environment where open discussion and debate is our priority.   

Cancellation policy

Cancellations are subject to processing fees.

Please note that tickets cancelled after September 1st are not eligible for a refund.

For all cancellations, please contact: vc@globalwindsafety.org

Event Location

About Organizer

Global Wind Organisation Organizer name

http://www.globalwindsafety.org

Global Wind Organisation is a non-profit industry association founded and owned by its members who are drawn from globally leading renewable energy manufacturers, owners and operators. Our members strive for an injury free work environment, setting common international standards for safety training and workforce development.

Contact the Organizer

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 and solar. The Forum will welcome GWO member representatives, training providers, certification bodies, auditors and opinion formers.

This event is not aimed at wind or solar technicians.

When will the Awards ceremony be held?

The awards ceremony is scheduled for the first day of the event, on 29 September. Further details regarding the programme will be provided during July and August.

Are there any sponsorship opportunities?

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

Are there any exhibition opportunities?

This year’s Forum will host a small tabletop exhibition for the first time. If you would like to know more, you can contact the Forum Team directly at: vc@globalwindsafety.org

Are there any registration Fees to attend?

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

  • GWO Members: 350 € before 1 July 2026, and €400 after this date (Please refer to the list of GWO Member Organisations here)
  • GWO Certified Training Providers: €350 before 1 July 2026 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.

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, pass by the registration table where you can pick up your badge.

I booked a ticket but can no longer attend.

Tickets are transferable, and any changes should be communicated to comms@globalwindsafety.org.

Cancellations are subject to processing fees.

Please note that tickets cancelled after 1 September 2026 are not eligible for a refund.

For all cancellations, please contact: vc@globalwindsafety.org

Where is the Forum taking place?

Salons de l'Aveyron - Paris Bercy

17 Rue de l'Aubrac, Paris, 75012 , France

Do I need a visa to attend?

Normal visa entry requirements for France and the European Union apply to this event (https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias). GWO is not able to advise on individual requirements.

 

Speakers

About Vicki Præst Andersen
Learning Systems Specialist
GWO
Sep 30, 2026
09:30 AM

Standardised Assessments Session – Workshop Session

09:30 AM - 11:15 AM
About Julie Brown
Head of Training Development
GWO
Sep 29, 2026
11:30 AM

Harnessing the Human Factor

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

About John Barrie
VP, Training & Workforce Development
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
No Sessions Available

 

 

 

About Ben Dickens
CEO
STL USA
Sep 30, 2026
02:10 PM

Network Perspective: From Training Delivery to Workforce Performance: The Next Evolution of Workforce Development in Wind

02:10 PM - 02:30 PM
About Christopher Furlan
Head of Training Quality Assurance
GWO
Sep 30, 2026
09:15 AM

Introduction: from Compliance to Performance

09:15 AM - 09:30 AM
12:10 PM

New Assessments Need New Requirements: Exploring tentative changes – Workshop Session

12:10 PM - 01:10 PM
About Jakob Lau Holst
CEO
GWO
Sep 29, 2026
09:00 AM

Opening Remarks

09:00 AM - 09:15 AM

Julie is a bilingual training facilitator and linguistics specialist with extensive experience supporting international training programs, conferences and military exercises involving various national and international organizations to include the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State, NATO, the United Nations, and the African Union. A retired U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer, she completed seven years of active duty assigned to shipboard and shorebased commands, followed by a fifteen-year period of active reserve service during which time she balanced education pursuits with several long-term active-duty assignments in Africa and Europe. Toward the end of her Naval career, she completed a six-year contract as the lead French interpreter/translator for U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany while regularly contributing to operations analysis both at Africa Command, at the Spanish Diplomatic School, and as a member of two Madrid-based think tanks. 

Currently residing in Spain, Julie works as a consultant providing leadership, linguistic and analyst support to various U.S. and European clients. She regularly leads linguist teams tasked with providing optimal communication support for U.S. Department of Defense air collaboration, medical and security assistance programs in Africa, while continuing to work as a conference interpreter and translator, supporting American and European maritime security and cybersecurity clients. In 2023, she embarked on a new career as a multilingual leadership coach at CAVU, The RelyOn Leadership Academy, a renowned consulting firm focused on helping companies to reform leadership deficiencies and enhance safety practices at locations throughout the world.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpretation from the University of Las Palmas (Spain), and a Master of Art’s and a Ph.D. in Francophone Studies from the Autonomous University of Madrid. Her ongoing research is focused on security issues in the Sahel and sociolinguistic challenges of communication in the security sector of Francophone West Africa.

About Julie House
Safety, Performance & Leadership Coach and Intercultural Communications Specialist
CAVU International
No Sessions Available
About Jakob Bjørn Nielsen
COO
GWO
No Sessions Available

Jenni Lewis is the Managing Director for RelyOn in the United States, Mexico & Caribbean, leading the organization’s continued growth and delivery of safety, survival, technical, and workforce training across the region.

 

With extensive experience in training operations, customer engagement, and business leadership, Jenni is focused on helping organizations in high-risk industries build safer, more competent workforces. She works closely with customers across all industry sectors to support training solutions that align with operational needs, compliance requirements, and long-term workforce development.

 

Jenni is passionate about collaboration, continuous improvement, and ensuring training delivers real value beyond the classroom. In her role, she champions practical learning, strong industry partnerships, and solutions that help companies improve safety, performance, and readiness in complex working environments.

 

About Jenni Lewis
Managing Director
RelyOn US
Sep 29, 2026
11:30 AM

Harnessing the Human Factor

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Sep 30, 2026
11:45 AM

Network Perspective: AI in Safety Training: Supporting Better Learning Without Losing the Human Element

11:45 AM - 12:10 PM
About Andrew LaBonte
Training Evaluation Specialist
GWO
Sep 30, 2026
09:30 AM

Standardised Assessments Session – Workshop Session

09:30 AM - 11:15 AM

About Heiko Post
Senior Expert, Global Training Excellence
ENERCON Global Service
Sep 29, 2026
02:00 PM

Beyond Basic Safety

02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
About Dr Ruby Roberts
Chancellor's Fellow of Industrial Psychology for the Aberdeen Business School
Robert Gordon University, Scotland
Sep 29, 2026
11:30 AM

Harnessing the Human Factor

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

About Sami El-Daoud
Head of Global Training Excellence
Siemens Gamesa
Sep 30, 2026
02:30 PM

Defining Competence

02:30 PM - 03:30 AM

About Scott Wang
Commercial & Marketing Manager & IQT Trainer
MTIC by MIRDC
Sep 29, 2026
10:15 AM

Network Perspective: New Pathways for Training Centers: Targeting Beyond Current Technicians

10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Event Schedule

Session Date
Clear all ×

Sessions on Sep 28, 2026

05:30 PM

Reception

05:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Sessions on Sep 29, 2026

09:00 AM

Opening Remarks

09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
    speaker

    Jakob Lau Holst

    CEOGWO
    SocialLink
    10:15 AM
      speaker

      Scott Wang

      Commercial & Marketing Manager & IQT TrainerMTIC by MIRDC

      SocialLink
      11:30 AM

      Harnessing the Human Factor

      11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
        speaker

        Julie Brown

        Head of Training DevelopmentGWO
        SocialLink
        speaker

        Jenni Lewis

        Managing DirectorRelyOn US

        Jenni Lewis is the Managing Director for RelyOn in the United States, Mexico & Caribbean, leading the organization’s continued growth and delivery of safety, survival, technical, and workforce training across the region.

         

        With extensive experience in training operations, customer engagement, and business leadership, Jenni is focused on helping organizations in high-risk industries build safer, more competent workforces. She works closely with customers across all industry sectors to support training solutions that align with operational needs, compliance requirements, and long-term workforce development.

         

        Jenni is passionate about collaboration, continuous improvement, and ensuring training delivers real value beyond the classroom. In her role, she champions practical learning, strong industry partnerships, and solutions that help companies improve safety, performance, and readiness in complex working environments.

         

        SocialLink
        speaker

        Dr Ruby Roberts

        Chancellor's Fellow of Industrial Psychology for the Aberdeen Business SchoolRobert Gordon University, Scotland
        SocialLink
        01:00 PM

        Networking Lunch

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

        Beyond Basic Safety

        02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
          speaker

          Heiko Post

          Senior Expert, Global Training ExcellenceENERCON Global Service

          SocialLink
          04:00 PM

          Sessions on Sep 30, 2026

          09:15 AM
            speaker

            Christopher Furlan

            Head of Training Quality AssuranceGWO
            SocialLink
            09:30 AM
              speaker

              Vicki Præst Andersen

              Learning Systems SpecialistGWO
              SocialLink
              speaker

              Andrew LaBonte

              Training Evaluation SpecialistGWO
              SocialLink
              11:15 AM

              Networking Break

              11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
              11:45 AM
                speaker

                Jenni Lewis

                Managing DirectorRelyOn US

                Jenni Lewis is the Managing Director for RelyOn in the United States, Mexico & Caribbean, leading the organization’s continued growth and delivery of safety, survival, technical, and workforce training across the region.

                 

                With extensive experience in training operations, customer engagement, and business leadership, Jenni is focused on helping organizations in high-risk industries build safer, more competent workforces. She works closely with customers across all industry sectors to support training solutions that align with operational needs, compliance requirements, and long-term workforce development.

                 

                Jenni is passionate about collaboration, continuous improvement, and ensuring training delivers real value beyond the classroom. In her role, she champions practical learning, strong industry partnerships, and solutions that help companies improve safety, performance, and readiness in complex working environments.

                 

                SocialLink
                12:10 PM
                  speaker

                  Christopher Furlan

                  Head of Training Quality AssuranceGWO
                  SocialLink
                  01:10 PM

                  LUNCH

                  01:10 PM - 02:10 PM
                  02:30 PM

                  Defining Competence

                  02:30 PM - 03:30 AM
                    speaker

                    Sami El-Daoud

                    Head of Global Training ExcellenceSiemens Gamesa

                    SocialLink

                    Photo Gallery

                    Exhibitors & Sponsors

                    Looking to increase your brand visibility among key players in the wind industry? Join us as an exhibitor at our upcoming Forum in Paris.

                    With a previous attendance of 150 + global guests, and with leading renewable energy companies such as Vestas, SGRE and Equinor making up one fifth of the total audience guest list, you can expect to gain strategic visibility in a high-value segment of the wind industry. 

                    https://online.flippingbook.com/view/837674275/