by PIHRA Marketing | Aug 27, 2018 | Blog
We are at the half way mark of the 2018 California HR Conference and the past two days have been an absolute blast! Looking back on Sunday (and Monday) Funday, there’s so much to share with those who couldn’t make it, it’s been tough to decide what to include here. All the hard work and dedication put in by everyone at PIHRA, the Conference Task Force & Volunteers, and the Board of Directors is finally crystalizing into a phenomenal experience. We’re grateful to every single person who helped make this happen, attendees included! Here are some highlights from the first two days at CAHR18.
Sunday
The exhibitors moved in on Sunday, setting up their booths, preparing to show off the latest and greatest in services and products that can make working in HR a little easier.
Registration opened and all the early birds beat the lines to get their badges. With conference swag bags in hand they explored the SHRMStore, downloaded the official CAHR18 app and started networking.
Pre-Conference Sessions
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There’s never a shortage of learning here at the California HR Conference, even before the conference technically starts. During the Pre-Conference Sessions, Paul Butler, Client Partner, Newleaf Training And Development (left) shared the often overlooked value of financial literacy among HR professionals. He broke down some basics of organizational finance as well as more advanced theories that will give any HR professional an edge at work. |
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Then Alan Crivaro and Teresa McQueen took their session audience through the intricacies of the Ban the Box law at the Sunday pre-conference sessions. |
New Member Reception (sponsored by JustWorks)
After the learning came the networking! Lili Arguello, membership manager at PIHRA, organized a new member aloha networking event at Gladstone’s right across the street from the convention center. With the help of festive, color coded lei system, attendees met brand new connections, engaged in social exercises with help from Dr. Carroll J. Brown, PsyD and enjoyed delicious food and a signature drink.
President’s Welcome Reception (sponsored by Amtec)
Back at the Hyatt pool deck, the President’s Welcome Reception greeted attendees with the energetic tunes of Mariachi Arcoiris, the first LGBTQ Mariachi Band in the world. A delicious spread of tacos kept folks full as they chatted about everything from that day and what they are looking forward to for the rest of the week.
Monday, August 27
Meet to Move (sponsored by CLEO)
We had some go-getters here who were up bright and early to get their stretch on at our Monday Meet to Move. Before all the sitting that happens at during sessions, it’s great to get the blood moving!
Ribbon Wall
A super fun part of the Expo Hall is our Ribbon Wall. Each year, attendees get to choose from dozens of ribbons that attach to their badges to show off their industry, PIHRA chapter, SHRM chapter, job title, or share something fun about their personality.
Mel Robbins (sponsored by Global Upside)
What can we say about Mel Robbins that hasn’t already been shared? Her talk has already inspired thousands of us in the audience to use the 5 Second Rule to challenge our “autopilot” and build new habits to tackle the fear & procrastination that stifles our potential. Mel shared her story with vulnerability & power, and we’ll forever be thankful for the tools she gave us.
Mega Session – Third Space Thinking
with Dr. Ernest Wilson III, USC Annenberg Center for Third Space Thinking
Monday’s Mega Session showcased Dr. Wilson’s studies with the Annenberg Center for Third Space Thinking about the most desirable soft skills employers should look for in the 21st century – Adaptability, Cultural Competency, Empathy, Intellectual Curiosity, and 360 degree thinking – and how these skills contribute to the bottom line.
There’s so much more that happened – in the many educational concurrent sessions, the Solutions Stages, in the Marketplace Expo, and more – that you simply you had to be there! Stay tuned for our highlight videos on YouTube for an extra taste of the 2018 California HR Conference – and for our Tuesday & Wednesday wrap-up post.
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It’s not too late to join us for our Wednesday, August 29 sessions. Register online or onsite with us in Long Beach!
by PIHRA Marketing | Jul 17, 2018 | Blog
Attending a professional conference refreshes your routine in the best way possible, replacing your daily grind with novelty, innovation, and inspiration. The
2018 California HR Conference provides four days for you to get out of the office, enjoy the vibes of sun-soaked Long Beach, and surprise yourself with something different. It’s the perfect place to book a massage, test out a new drink, put yourself out there to make new connections, and treat yourself to that morning pastry –
and what the heck, why not dessert, too!
In all seriousness, we take lunch time at #CAHR18, well, seriously. The midday break is the perfect time to network with others, process the insights you’ve learned, unwind & refuel between learning sessions, pick someone’s brain about how their organization handles issues, and lounge around while taking your time to enjoy a full lunch break – for once.
Never Lunch Alone
As Keith Ferrazzi writes in “Never Eat Alone,” amazing relationships and business opportunities can arise from simply sharing a meal with others. And with all your HR peers gathered in one place, lunchtime at CAHR18 is brimming with potential for you to find your #HRtribe community. Professional lunches have the potential to be about so much more than just staving off a growling stomach, and we support that! Besides, don’t you want to eat a proper lunch on a plate at a table at an event?
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Hot, Fresh, Food – just the way you need it.
The California HR Conference has always been proud to serve a hot, fresh, buffet lunch to attendees, with plenty of time to network, and plenty of seating in the dining area and the marketplace. It is a non-negotiable, no-brainer, cornerstone that we provide you with a Real Meal™ for lunch, with actual time to digest it and form relationships, and with specific options available for those with lifestyle restrictions. Dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free options are available and easy for you to select in advance, during your online registration.
Drumroll, please…
Now that you’re almost as excited about lunch as we are, without further ado, we’re thrilled to provide you with our first-ever Lunch Menu Preview! Try not to drool on your desk. 😉
This year’s menu is inspired by local Long Beach cuisine & ingredients, featuring regional specialties/favorites from the many global cultures that form the heartbeat of Southern California.
Refresh Yourself with Bevi!
This year, Bevi 💦 smart water coolers will provide you with extra refreshment at the California HR Conference! You will be able to select filtered water, fizz, and flavors to enjoy personalized drinks like strawberry lemongrass, cucumber, lime mint, peach mango, and more. We invite you to bring your own eco-conscious water bottle like S’well, Klean Kanteen or HydroFlask.
If you prefer no-frills in your hydration, we will also have plenty of fresh water coolers available as well!
Monday Lunch & Refreshments
The full Kalua Pulled Pork plate with Hawaiian Bun
Bacon Wrapped Dates With and Without Cheese
Don’t forget about…
- Monday morning refreshments: #1 Yelp-Rated Porto’s Brand pastries/donuts to go with the coffee
- Monday Dessert at Lunch: Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Hors d’oeuvres at the PIHRA Annual Meeting: Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppadew Peppers
Tuesday Lunch & Refreshments
Chicken Parmesan & Baked Ziti Plate
Tuesday Morning Donuts and Coffee
Is anyone else getting hungry…?
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Join us at the 2018 California HR Conference for a continuing education experience that’s personally, professionally, and culinarily unique to California.
Register for CAHR18 today!
Invest in your yourself and your career.
by PIHRA Marketing | Jul 9, 2018 | Blog
The Skinny on #CAHR18 Pre-Conference Experience
Every year when the California HR Conference closes down, we hear you all say you wish it could last forever. While we can’t quite do that, we did expand the pre-conference experience to make it better than ever before. This year, getting the most out of #CAHR18 means joining us on Friday and Sunday for the early-arrival advantages and pre-conference parties!
Showing up early means you can take advantage of all this:
- HR certification preparation classes Friday, August 24 – Sunday, August 26, for those of you taking an HRCI or SHRM exam this fall.
- High-demand Sunday afternoon sessions so you can skip the full room when everyone else wants to attend them on Monday.
- Registration opens up from 1pm – 5pm so you can skip the lines on Monday morning, pick up your badge, and read through your conference guide as you drift to sleep Sunday night.
- The SHRMStore is open from 1pm to 5pm as well so you can get first dibs on the hottest titles.
And of course, the receptions! But you can’t take enjoy all these early-arrival perks unless you register for the 2018 California HR Conference.
More details on all the pre-conference activities below.
President’s Welcome Reception (sponsored by Amtec)
Date: Sunday, August 26 from 5:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Hyatt Pool, outdoor.
Features: Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles – The World’s First LGBTQ Mariachi, appetizers (The menu will include grilled tacos, beef fajitas, chicken strips on your choice of corn and flour tortillas with cabbage slaw, fresh limes, jalapenos, cilantro/onions, plus tri tortilla chips, roasted tomato salsa, tomatillo salsa, guac salsa on the side.), drinks, and a welcome address from PIHRA President Patti Sprinkle. Live it up before 3+ days of learning! Join PIHRA volunteer leaders, staff and fellow attendees as we kick off the California HR Conference experience.
New Member Reception: Aloha Networking! (Sponsored by Justworks)
Date: Sunday, August 26 from 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Gladstone’s Long Beach
Features: During this complimentary reception, you will receive a warm welcome from the PIHRA community and have an opportunity to meet and get to know some of the best HR pros in Southern California. We want to make sure you get the most out of your #CAHR18 experience and the PIHRA membership. This is a must attend if you want to plug into the community and find your #HRTribe to explore #CAHR18! Don’t miss out on our signature drink – The PIHRA Aloha Margarita.
HR Certification Prep Classes
Dates: Friday, August 24-Sunday, August 26
Location: Long Beach Convention Center
What better way to kick off your conference experience than with career fortifying certification prep classes. Our Pre-Conference Education Sessions are a surefire way to prepare for your HRCI or SHRM certification exam. Acquiring these certifications will validate your experience and credibility in the HR profession, making it easier to advance in your career. Sign up for a preparation course as an add-on during your CAHR18 registration. Learn more about HR Certification preparation classes or begin your CAHR18 registration.
Pre-Conference Sessions on Sunday
Time: 2:30pm – 3:45pm
Location: Long Beach Convention Center
Being an early bird has its advantages at CAHR18. Not only can you register on-site from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, but you can attend your choice of two high-demand sessions being presented as well (see below). These sessions will also be offered on Monday the 27th, but you won’t have to worry about finding a seat in those crowded rooms because you were smart and attended early on Sunday. Good for you!
Sunday Concurrent Sessions
- Business Financial Intelligence for today’s HR Professional
Credit Type: Business
Speaker: Paul Butler
2:30pm – 3:45pm
- Practical Applications: Navigating California’s Ban The Box Law
Credit Type: California
Speakers: Alan Crivaro & Teresa McQueen
2:30pm – 3:45pm
Don’t Forget About Our Suite Deal
Time is running out for the Suite Deal contest! The Hyatt and Renaissance are all sold out. Head to our hotels page to reserve your room.
Register for the 2018 California HR Conference today, and be sure to join us for all the Pre-Conference learning & fun!
Invest in your yourself and your career.
by PIHRA Marketing | May 30, 2018 | Blog
Time flies when you’re having fun, and when you’re getting closer to the 2018 California HR Conference. If you haven’t registered to attend yet, there’s still time to do so, and take advantage of our Early Bird prices before June 7.
Don’t let procrastination keep you from saving – register today!
Waiting until the last minute is fine (we do it, too), but what if the next seven days slip by and suddenly you’re too busy to register before 11:59pm on Thursday, June 7? What a shame to miss out on saving $100 off our PIHRA Member on-site rate, especially when you consider how much value you’re getting:
Networking opportunities everywhere.
The phrase “finding your tribe” has never been more true than at CAHR18. It’s easy to make valuable HR industry connections just about everywhere at the conference. Who know’s, you might even meet your future boss or star employee here!
Cutting edge content from inspiring speakers.
Our Keynote sessions alone will help you become more resilient, more activated and productive in your day-to-day, and cultivate a sense of purpose in your work. And that’s just the beginning! Check out all the California specific and national HR content being covered in our Sessions Schedule.
Professional advancement.
How does up to 16.5 HCRI HR (General) recertification credits and SHRM Professional Development credits sound? There’s also coaching and solutions to ensure you return to work sharper and better equipped than ever.
Fun, sun and getting away from your desk for a minute in Long Beach.
You can’t put a price on the restorative powers of taking a break from your professional routine. Long Beach is the ideal city to relax in outside the conference – between the food and activities, there’s plenty to take your mind off your daily grind.
Those are just four of the reasons why you should plan to be at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center from August 26-29, 2018.
Don’t let the next week pass you by without registering.
Early Bird prices end 11:59pm June 7 – Register soon!
