Letter & Invite from the Director
Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation
January 23, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
One of the greatest strengths of the vertical transportation industry is its people. Across every role and every level, there is a shared commitment to safety, professionalism, and responsibility to the public. That commitment is what has made our industry one of the safest forms of transportation in the world.
At the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, we believe the next evolution of rider safety is education that reaches beyond equipment and into everyday understanding. I am writing to personally invite you and your teams to become Certified Rider Safety Ambassadors.
As Rider Safety Ambassadors, participants will learn how to teach EESF’s three core rider safety programs using clear, accessible language designed for a general audience. This training is not about technical instruction. It is about translating industry knowledge into practical guidance that riders of all ages can understand and apply. The goal is simple and ambitious: to ensure that every member of the vertical transportation industry is equipped to speak confidently and consistently about rider safety.
We envision a future where rider education is not limited to a single role or department, but shared across companies at every level. Mechanics, inspectors, engineers, sales professionals, administrators, and leaders all have opportunities to influence how safety is understood by the public. When safety education becomes part of our collective identity, its impact multiplies.
To support this effort, EESF will be offering a series of lunch and learn, quick-certification courses designed to make participation practical and accessible. These sessions will provide focused training, certification pathways, and the tools needed to begin teaching immediately. I encourage companies to actively support and promote participation across their teams, not as an obligation, but as an investment in leadership, culture, and public trust.
I also invite you to join us in person at the 2026 Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation Annual Conference and 35th Anniversary Celebration. This milestone gathering will bring together industry professionals who share a commitment to rider safety education and community impact. Certification opportunities, collaboration, and celebration will all be part of this important event.
Rider safety is not the responsibility of a single organization. It belongs to all of us. By becoming Certified Rider Safety Ambassadors, we can extend the reach of education, strengthen public awareness, and continue building a safer future together.
I hope you will join us.
Thank you,
Amber Catlin-Kolodziej, Executive Director, Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation