The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division is getting down to business as they announce their 21st annual educational conference, slated for May 9-10 in Portland. This meet-up is a major pit stop for employers, insurers, and legal eagles, plus medical providers, union reps, and the folks who handle safety and HR in their companies.

Set to go down at the Holiday Inn Portland - Columbia Riverfront on 909 N. Hayden Island Drive, the conference's hot topics will include the ins, outs of claim filing, dispute resolution, return-to-work programs, and how to keep a lid on mental health issues on the job. The WCD, part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, is coordinating this gig with the International Workers' Compensation Foundation, ensuring a solid lineup for the participant roster.

Highlighting the conference on Friday, May 10, is a keynote panel sure to draw a crowd. According to an official release from the State of Oregon, the panel includes Sydney Montanaro, a worker attorney with Thomas, Coon, Newton, & Frost, and Lauren Oda, an employer and insurer attorney from SBH Legal. They'll be exchanging insights, moderated by WCD Resolution Section Manager Kirsten Schrock.

Expect no punches pulled as each panelist serves up stories from the trenches, shedding light on both the shared battles and the divergent viewpoints they bring to the workers' comp arena. "The panel, moderated by WCD Resolution Section Manager Kirsten Schrock will explore common situations in workers’ compensation and provide the speakers’ own unique outlook," the State of Oregon newsroom previewed. With professionals from across the spectrum, this conference is shaping up to be a full house of expertise, experience, and the occasional opportunity for networking.