Event Program

*timings subject to change

28 October

6.00 pm – 8.00 pm

Welcome networking drinks

29 October

8.00 am – 9.00 am

Registration, networking & morning coffee

9.00 am – 9.15 am

Welcome Remarks

9.15 am – 10.00 am

Keynote Speaker 1

10.00 am – 10.30 am

Presentation 1

10.30 am – 11.00 am

Coffee Break

11.00 am – 11.30 am

Presentation 2

11.30 am – 12.00 pm

Presentation 3

12.00 pm – 12.30 pm

Presentation 4

12.30 pm – 13.30 pm

Lunch & Networking 

13.30 pm – 14.00 pm

Demo sessions

14.00 pm – 14.30 pm

Keynote Speaker 2

14.30 pm – 15.15 pm

Presentation 5 

15.15 pm – 15.45 pm

Coffee Break

15.45 pm – 16.15 pm

Demo sessions

16.15 pm – 16.45 pm

Presentation 6

16.45 pm – 17.00 pm

Closing Remarks

5.00 pm – 6.45 pm

Awards drinks reception

6.45 pm – 9.15 pm

Awards dinner & ceremony

Conference Speakers

CEO & Managing Director, IPAF

Peter Douglas

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.

Director of Operations, IPAF

Giles Councell

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.

North America – Regional Manager, IPAF

Tony Groat

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.
Paola Palazzani

Paola Palazzani

President, Palazzani

Ben Taft

Ben Taft

VP of Sales, North America, Palazzani

Nicole McGregor

Nicole McGregor

Managing Principal, Ducker Carlisle

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

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