AEC Preconference Offerings

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all the Preconference sessions that will be offered. These sessions are eligible for Continuing Education credits unless otherwise noted.

Registration is required for all preconference sessions, regardless of cost. Preconference registration can be added to attendees registration while registering for the main conference. All preconference offerings will take place in-person at the 2025 AEC in Phoenix, AZ. There will not be virtual access to preconference offerings.

Climate & Health

Session	Date & Time	Registration & Fees	Description
Climate for Health Ambassador Training	Monday, July 14, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm	$0, Pre-registration required	This interactive training equips environmental health professionals with the knowledge and tools to lead local climate and health discussions. Through hands-on activities and expert insights, participants will learn how to communicate climate impacts, promote health equity and strengthen community resilience. Emphasizing the power of local leadership, this training empowers professionals to be effective change agents in driving climate solutions. Upon completion, participants will be eligible to become a Climate for Health Ambassador.
Climate Impacts on Children's Health Workshop	Monday, July 14, 12:30 – 4:30 pm	$0, Pre-registration required	This entry-level workshop introduces environmental public health professionals to the impacts of climate change on children’s health. Participants will gain essential knowledge, practical tools, and resources to identify and address these challenges effectively. By increasing awareness and workforce capacity, this session empowers professionals to protect children’s environmental health and advocate for impactful solutions.

Infectious & Vector-Borne Diseases

Session	Date & Time	Registration & Fees	Description
From Blueprint to Action: Building and Managing an Effective Vector Control Program	Monday, July 14, 12:30 – 4:30 pm	$0, Pre-registration required	This interactive workshop equips participants with the foundational knowledge and practical tools needed to design and implement a successful vector control program. Key topics include assessing local vector risks, crafting comprehensive control plans, implementing monitoring strategies, and fostering community engagement. Attendees will also explore resource management, staff training, and compliance with public health guidelines. Whether you're building a program from scratch or enhancing an existing one, this session provides actionable insights to combat vector-borne diseases effectively.

Water Quality

Session	Date & Time	Registration & Fees	Description
Beneath the Surface: Advanced Insights into Groundwater, Soil, and Wastewater Systems for Private Water Protection	Monday, July 14, 8 am – 4:30 pm	$0, Pre-registration required	Designed for environmental health professionals, this in-depth workshop delves into the complex interplay between groundwater systems, soil processes, and wastewater management, with a focus on private water supplies. Topics include groundwater-surface water interactions, soil microbiology, climate change impacts, and innovative wastewater contaminant mitigation strategies. Through expert presentations, group activities, and discussions, participants will gain advanced knowledge and practical skills to develop sustainable water management practices in their communities. Join this opportunity to deepen your expertise, collaborate with peers, and make a meaningful impact on water quality and sustainability.
Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code, Aquatic Venue Public Health Inspector Course	Monday, July 14, 8 am – 4:30 pm	$300, Pre-registration required	This certification course is tailored for public health professionals responsible for inspecting public and semi-public aquatic venues. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of pool inspection protocols, including filtration, disinfection, and communication strategies to ensure effective inspections. Whether you are a new inspector or an experienced health official, this course provides valuable insights to enhance your professional practice. Successful completion certifies participants as CMAHC Aquatic Venue Public Health Inspectors (AVPHI), valid for five years.
Well, What Now? Abandoned Wells and Community Engagement in Tribal and Rural Communities	Monday, July 14, 8 am – 12 pm	$0, Pre-registration required	This workshop addresses the pressing challenges of abandoned wells and private well maintenance, with a focus on Tribal and rural frontier communities. Participants will explore the health and environmental risks associated with abandoned wells, sustainable management practices, and strategies for engaging with local communities. The session includes expert-led presentations on water quality testing and well management, as well as hands-on activities to develop practical skills in well assessment and maintenance. Join this collaborative workshop to gain actionable knowledge and tools to support well safety and community health.

Workforce & Leadership

Session	Date & Time	Registration & Fees	Description
Communication: Verbal Techniques for Challenging Situations	Monday, July 14, 12:30 – 4:30 pm	$25 (member) / $50 (non-member), Pre-registration required	This session is designed to help professionals navigate challenging conversations with confidence and composure. Attendees will learn verbal techniques to defuse tension, de-escalate conflicts, and foster positive outcomes in difficult interactions. The session will also cover effective written communication and the role of body language in conveying messages. Whether you’re addressing a sensitive issue or managing a tense situation, this workshop offers practical strategies to communicate with clarity and professionalism.
Overcoming Compassion Fatigue in Environmental Health	Monday, July 14, 8 am – 12 pm	$50 (member) / $100 (non-member), Pre-registration required	Environmental health professionals play a critical role in safeguarding the public, often navigating high-stakes challenges that impact our communities. The cumulative effect of this work can lead to compassion fatigue - emotional and physical exhaustion that stems from continuous exposure to the suffering of others. This pre-conference workshop will unpack the root causes of compassion fatigue and explore effective individual, team, and workplace solutions. Through interactive discussions and activities, attendees will gain practical tools to create compassion-positive cultures that support well-being while strengthening teams and workplaces.

Session

Date & Time

Registration & Fees

Description

Communication: Verbal Techniques for Challenging Situations

Monday, July 14, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

$25 (member) / $50 (non-member), Pre-registration required

This session is designed to help professionals navigate challenging conversations with confidence and composure. Attendees will learn verbal techniques to defuse tension, de-escalate conflicts, and foster positive outcomes in difficult interactions. The session will also cover effective written communication and the role of body language in conveying messages. Whether you’re addressing a sensitive issue or managing a tense situation, this workshop offers practical strategies to communicate with clarity and professionalism.

Overcoming Compassion Fatigue in Environmental Health

Monday, July 14, 8 am – 12 pm

$50 (member) / $100 (non-member), Pre-registration required

Environmental health professionals play a critical role in safeguarding the public, often navigating high-stakes challenges that impact our communities. The cumulative effect of this work can lead to compassion fatigue - emotional and physical exhaustion that stems from continuous exposure to the suffering of others.

This pre-conference workshop will unpack the root causes of compassion fatigue and explore effective individual, team, and workplace solutions. Through interactive discussions and activities, attendees will gain practical tools to create compassion-positive cultures that support well-being while strengthening teams and workplaces.