Meet Me in Atlanta

June 05, 2012

In just 3 weeks from now, I’ll be traveling to Atlanta for this year’s SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition, which takes place June 24 to June 27.  In addition to this year’s entertainer, Jerry Seinfeld, there are so many opportunities to learn what’s new and cutting edge in the HR field, from practical tips to innovation in HR to motivating people.  I’m excited to be able to share my own experience in the field of financial wellness, and I’ll be speaking about Health and Wealth: Adding Financial Wellness to Your Wellness Program on Monday, June 25.  Using a case study of a Fortune 500 company that has been embedding financial wellness within their wellness program for the past few years, I’ll be revealing the results of an ROI analysis and sharing best practices for financial education.

One comment I’ve been hearing lately from HR reps is that cuts to their HR budget has held some back from attending the SHRM event. It can be expensive once you add up the cost of the registration, travel, hotel stay, etc. but the conference provides the ability to earn CE credits, network, and come away with new ideas that may provide cost savings for your company in the long run. So how can you convince your boss that the conference is worth attending?  By investing in attending the SHRM annual conference, you can benefit your organization by advancing and fine-tuning your skills and finding new ways to cut costs and gain important new leadership skill so SHRM has put together five tips you can follow to gain support from your supervisor:

  1. Review the conference program – Select the sessions that are most beneficial to you and your company and share the topics with your boss.  Don’t forget my session!
  2. Check out the exhibitor list – Consider the business opportunities that could develop from establishing connections with industry professionals and partners.
  3. Save money – Take advantage of the SHRM housing block discount and the free shuttle bus or use hotel loyalty points to book your room.  Also, check with your local SHRM chapter to see if it is offering scholarships to the annual conference, or if you can find a roommate to share accommodations.
  4. Complete the request letter – SHRM has provided a template that you can use to submit a letter to your supervisor that will help you demonstrate why you should attend the SHRM annual conference in Atlanta.
  5. Share it – Commit to a post-conference briefing for senior management and your team, where you’ll highlight what you’ve learned from the conference. Tie what you’ve learned to your organization’s challenges, goals and strategic plans.

I hope to see you in Atlanta!