1. Economic Downturn Doesn’t Slow SHRM Conference
Attendance doesn’t hit a record level, but SHRM officials and vendors are happy with the turnout of more than 13,000. During the show, SHRM also did not name a successor to its outgoing president. The effect of soaring gas prices on work was the show’s hottest topic.
2. The Challenge Ahead
As SHRM wraps up its 60th annual conference, it faces the important task of selecting a leader who can sharpen its focus and deliver on the commitment to make its members strategic assets to their organizations.
10. Tailoring SHRM to Your Needs
When it comes to HR’s biggest annual conference, one size doesn’t fit all. Newbies to human resource positions, midlevel HR professionals and senior leaders in the field will benefit from different sessions and events at the Society for Human Resource Management.
11. The Best of Chicago
Whether you’re staying for a whole week or just trying to visit a few places in between conference activities, you will want to get a taste of the best of Chicago. The third-largest city in America is also one of the country’s most popular convention spots, and Chicago always has its welcome mat out. Family-friendly attractions, distinctive neighborhoods, upscale shopping and a vibrant nightlife are sure to please your family, significant other and even your boss.
12. SHRM 101
San Diego. Washington. Las Vegas. Chicago. The cities may change and the venues may differ, but there is a comfy familiarity I always feel at the Society for Human Resource Management’s annual conference.In other words, if I’m stuck in some cavernous convention hall.
On the first day of SHRM’s annual conference, it’s all about goodies, good information and making a good impression.
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Heard in the Halls—Sunday, June 22
Busy, busy: The last-minute preparations were in full swing just before the
masses of HR professionals at this year’s SHRM conference descended on the show
floor in search of all manner of swag … er, information for improving their
companies. It was so busy, in fact, that the teams staffing many booths were
huddled up like they were planning a deep-pass route to nearby Soldier Field.
But members of family-owned corporate recognition firm Michael C. Fina managed a
few seconds to talk. "We’re introducing a new product," said George Fina. "We’ve
been to a lot of SHRM conferences, but this one’s going to be good. I think it’s
going to be a really good conference."
Continuing education: Karen Thaxton was sitting on the floor outside the SHRM
bookstore with her daughter, Kiersten. Karen was busy plotting her SHRM
conferences. For Kiersten, it was her tourist activities.
"This is also an opportunity to find vendors," said Karen, human resources
director for Townsend Corporate in Parker City, Indiana, which is now venturing
into wind power. "We’re going through a lot of changes—acquisitions and
consolidations. We’re looking for help with recruiting, benefit management and
employee recognition."
Her focus for sessions? "Strategic management."
One big booth: Phoenix-based Jobing.com has a big presence at this year’s SHRM.
A big, big presence.
After making its SHRM debut last year in Las Vegas, Jobing.com has the
conference’s biggest booth in Chicago—8,800 square feet. The mammoth booth is
being staffed by about 120 people.
"It’s quite an undertaking for us," said Jobing.com PR director Joe Cockrell.
"But this conference is very important to us." Incentive plan: Lourdes Cooke of Vista Staffing Solutions knows how to stretch a
budget. The HR manager of the Salt Lake City company carried an armful of books
through the SHRM store Sunday afternoon.
"We try to go out of our way to give something meaningful to our employees when
they join our company," Cooke said. "It’s just a little way to say, ‘Welcome, we
appreciate you. Here’s a gift; you mean a lot to us.’ "
The books Cooke will be distributing to future Vista Staffing Solutions
employees include Colin Powell’s Powell Principles; Dogs Don’t Bite When a Growl
Will Do, by Matt Weinstein and Luke Barber; and Ken Blanchard’s Simple Truths of
Service.
"They’re all pretty fast reads," she said. "We don’t want to be giving them a
homework assignment."
Sad note: Janet Parker, the current chair of SHRM’s board of directors, was
absent from Sunday’s opening general session.
A death in her family prevented her from attending, said SHRM president and CEO
Sue Meisinger. Chair-designate Robb Van Cleave filled in for Parker during the
speech. —Rick Bell Next Article: 7. Sue Meisinger’s Parting Advice: Enough Table Talk, Already
I’ve attended a number of SHRM conferences and heard a lot of SHRM speeches...
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