The HR Southwest Conference is October 5-8, 2014, at the Fort Worth Convention Center, and it promises to be one of the best years ever for the country’s largest regional human resources conference. Promoted to be even better than last year with improved learning labs, a Masters Series, wellness activities, and “Pair-n-Share” events.
New This Year
This year’s HR Southwest Conference allows attendees to earn up to 16.5 hours of Business HRCI recertification credit and up to an additional 13.5 hours of Business HRCI recertification creditby participating in pre-conference workshops. Further this year there are invitation-only Masters Series sessions led by senior HR executives who will offer their tips and best practices. One of the more exciting new additions to the human resources conference is the Pair-n-Share program, which is a voluntary “buddy system.” Conference veterans will partner-up with new attendees to help them get the most out of their time at the event.
Pre- and Post-Conference
The HR Southwest Conference officially kicks off with a Welcome Networking Reception on Sunday, October 5th at 5:30 PM. However, organizers are offering several pre-conference workshops designed to add even more value to attendees’ experience. Attendees may register starting Saturday, October 4th and can plan to attend one or more of five pre-conference workshops scheduled for Sunday. Courses include:
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PHR/SPHR Crash Course – Sunday, October 5th, 8 a.m. – 5:15p.m. – designed to prepare individuals for the PHR and SPHR examinations.
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Understanding the Change Management Role: Strategic Practices that Improve Performance – Saturday, October 4th, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. or Sunday, October 5th, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Jim Vance, SPHR, will guide attendees through understanding change, patterns and processes as well as the way they affect the human side of business.
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Strategic Workforce Planning and Analytics – Sunday, October 5th, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Kevin Rutherford, SPHR, exposes attendees to foundational concepts and tools of strategic workforce planning.
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Strategic HR Connectivity – Sunday, October 5th, 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Deborah Avrin, SPHR, explains how HR professionals must develop strategic relationships in order to connect organizational values through communication as they develop a strategic HR plan.
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Abolish Performance Reviews – Sunday, October 5th, 1 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Alice Dendinger, SPHR, helps HR professionals at the human resources conference elevate their performance review process without the often dreaded annual review.
During HR Southwest, both keynote speakers are must-sees. Lisa Ling, news correspondent and former host of The View, will present one of the keynote addresses, while entrepreneur and noted graffiti artist Erik Wahl will present the other. Many other workshops are available to conference attendees and topics include:
- Compensation and Motivation
- Cultivating Strategic Relationships
- Why Wellness Works for Your Business: Invest in Your Future
- Avoiding Wage Hour Claims and Collective Actions
- The Myth of Employment-at-Will
- Managing Emotions – Yours and Theirs – under Pressure!
Where to Stay and What to Do
The Omni Fort Worth Hotel is designated the official hotel for the HR Southwest Conference, but rooms will sell out quickly. Hotel reservations can be made through the HR Southwest website (www.hrsouthwest.com). Although the conference is packed with events and networking opportunities, there are also many things to do in the Dallas/Fort Worth area once the workshops have ended. Stockyards Station is located in the heart of Fort Worth and offers a blend of old and new Texas, with historic walking tours along the Texas Trail of Fame as ample world-class shopping opportunities. Sundance Square is one of the country’s liveliest urban settings offering restaurants, live music clubs, theaters, and more.
One of the best aspects of HR Southwest is the opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry. Employee Solutions will be present at booth #1219, and will have plenty of Employee Solutions swag to give away. In addition, anyone who stops by booth #1219 and drops their card in the fish bowl is automatically entered into a drawing to win an iPad Air.
Employee Solutions has been offering superior staffing services in DFW since 1997 and is expanding every day. Help grow your business with the excellent team that we can help you find. For more information, visit our booth at HR Southwest or call us at 888-714-0361.
