Whether you’re new to HR or are just finding out about the event, your first time attending the California HR Conference is an experience you’ll remember for a long time. Beyond the opportunities to advance your HR career and the varied, cutting edge content, there are hands to shake, dozens (and dozens) of exhibitor booths to visit, and plenty of convention center floor to cover. If this feels like too much to digest in three and a half days, it’s best to arrive with a plan based on what the conference is all about and what you want to achieve there. This guide will help you create that plan, and make sure you pack the right outfits! Here’s your quintessential guide to being a first-time attendee at the 2018 California HR Conference. 

August will be here in no time! Register to reserve your #CAHR18 spot at the Standard price.

First of all, what is #CAHR18?

Think of this conference as a sunny, SoCal mixture of high caliber HR content, buzzing community interactions, focused career boosts, and a healthy dose of laid back fun. It was created by the Professionals In Human Resources Association over 60 years ago as a way to develop leaders, foster innovation, and reinforce HR fundamentals. More than 2000 HR professionals attend each year to make new connections, gain valuable and actionable strategies, and return to work (and life) with innovative ideas. It’s also the perfect place for business owners and HR-related professionals (think contract managers, office managers, etc.,) to acquire the latest HR best practices that will help them keep their companies compliant.

The most valuable part of the conference is its location, and that has nothing to do with the fabulous weather. California is always on the cutting edge of HR law and legislation because it runs on a constantly changing and complex state government, which some say is more complicated than the federal. This means any HR laws and related information coming out of California is almost always guaranteed to be ahead of the curve.

Rounding out the value of the 2018 California HR Conference is the community. This event consistently welcomes back friends who first connected at the conference years ago and plan to meet up, kick back, and catch up. Everyone in attendance has a common goal of advancing and supporting the HR community, so making new friends and contacts there is a breeze.

Take a look at our agenda for a glance of what the day-to-day will look like: 

What should I bring?

As with any conference, you’ll want the staples: comfortable but spiffy shoes to keep your feet happy on the conference floor, business cards, a notepad or laptop, and an eagerness to network, learn, and enjoy yourself. It’s worth taking a look at the weather in advance, but since it’s Long Beach, temperatures are fairly predictable – warmer during the day and a little cooler after sundown. Sunblock and swimming gear is a good idea, plus warmer layers for after-hours events and networking outdoors. Business casual with jeans is a solid choice as well. More than anything, we encourage you to be yourself – bring your own style to Long Beach, a city known for its artistic flair and many murals. (Who says HR professionals can’t be divas? #HRDiva)

So many sessions and speakers… How do I plan my days?

The easiest way to navigate this abundance of HR content is by Educational Track. These curated content tracks are designed to educate and inform attendees interested in one specific theme or element of human resource practices.

If you’re looking for a way to go off the beaten track, our Mega and Masters sessions are just right. These speakers and sessions are hand picked as offering especially unique value. Whether presented by a seasoned executive from an innovative HR department, a leader from an unexpected industry, or a full panel of both – come for new ideas and speakers that will help you move forward in your job and career.

Hungry to know more details about the concurrent sessions? Our full range of dozens of conference sessions is published right here, which leads us to our next point: sometimes improvising and going with the flow is good. If you’re enjoying yourself, learning a ton, and making great new connections, forget the plan – improvise! As you’ll learn from one of our Mega Session speakers, adaptability is a muscle that needs to be flexed – and a strength that will help you stand out and excel throughout your career.

Adaptability will also help you enjoy networking with others to the fullest. Dive into our unconventional social experiences such as our Meet to Move (yoga, anyone?) in the mornings, Meet to Eat in the evening, our Tuesday night entertainment, and our Receptions on Sunday. They’re all opportunities to make new friends or valuable new business contacts.

What about food? Will I be fed?

We at PIHRA are very proud of the menus we create each year for the conference. We won’t name names, but some HR events expect you to be content with a brown bag lunch. If you ask us, that’s ridiculous, especially when you consider how much those events cost to begin with. Our menu choices are always served on a real plate at a table and are always accommodating of a wide range of dietary preferences and restrictions. Not only do we feed you, but we proudly serve coffee from 7am-9am inside the convention center, to help you power through your early morning sessions. Check back soon and watch for updates about our 2018 menu after we put the finishing touches on it. In the meantime, please enjoy some of our favorite food selections served over the past few years. 

If your lifestyle requires dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan, you can select that option during your registration.

What’s the best way to make connections and expand my network?

One of the tricks of the trade when it comes to networking is to never eat alone – especially when there are 2,000 potential new HR connections who can become a sounding board to you in your career. That’s why we host our Meet to Eat social, to give you a chance to dine with at least a few new faces! The second secret to networking is reaching out. That’s basically it. Say hello and introduce yourself to the person next to you in the registration line – or the lunch line! Ask someone in your session what they’re most interested in learning about that day. Attend the New Member Reception, President’s Reception, and our Meet to Move social. Look for someone who appears to be on their own and invite them to join in on a conversation or your lunch table. Inclusivity is in right now – and all these small decisions and actions can add up to valuable network gains.

If you happen to be more of an introvert, remember that there are plenty of introverts in attendance and that everyone at the conference shares an interest in and appreciation for HR, which is all the common ground you need to spark friendships and fortify your professional network. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, but we do recommend taking a step or two to connect with others while you’re here.

Anything else I should know about? 

What? We’re already at the end? There’s so much more we want to share with you!

If you’re short on time, the best thing we can advise you to do is attend our First-Time Attendee Orientation on Monday or Tuesday of the conference from 7:30m – 8:45am. CAHR18 Orientation is led by PIHRA Membership Manager Lili Arguello along with key PIHRA leaders who are instrumental in creating the California HR Conference. Come meet them! Coupled with a cup of coffee, there is no better way to kick off your CAHR18 experience – so be sure to pencil this in.

Here are a few more fun things to look forward to…

Prizes! Every year our sponsors and exhibitors give away stellar prizes in the Marketplace – the drawings usally happen when the Marketplace closes on Tuesday afternoon, so be sure to check out the booths in advance and be present to win. The CAHR18 Grand Prize, however, will be drawn randomly at the end of the conference on Wednesday. We can’t help but smile when we see the winner’s excitement each year – and we love treating you to something great.  

Solutions Stage! During the morning and afternoon refreshment breaks in the Marketplace, stop by one of these stages for a few TED-style sessions complementing your HR learning with solutions, self-development, Q&A, and more.

PIHRA Foundation Silent Auction! Bid on some amazing products at the PIHRA Foundation Silent Auction and know that you’re supporting a fantastic cause – workforce readiness in the HR profession. The Foundation provides scholarships to current and aspiring HR professionals and students, and their generosity grows our HR family one dream at a time. You’ll find the Silent Auction is located in the Marketplace.  

Long Beach Discounts! Did you know your badge gains you discounts to the best local Long Beach attractions? Check out our blog post or our Things To Do page to see what’s good in the LBC!

The Marketplace! Did we mention The Marketplace? Every year our exhibitors provide the cutting edge of interactive, fun, and creative booths and products. In 2017, one booth brought custom CAHR nails, BambooHR offered an upside-down selfie station, and The Headshot Truck offered professional headshots with pre-scheduled and walk-in appointments. There are simply too many features and benefits to list here – so, trust us when we say you will be disappointed when it closes on Tuesday afternoon. Spend some time perusing while you can!

We hope you’re excited for your journey at #CAHR18. We certainly are!

Take a step toward enriching your life and your career and register today! Standard rates expire July 31, 2018.