Which Staffing Conferences Should I Attend in 2017?
Webinars, Slack channels, Twitter chats, and Google Hangouts are great, but nothing beats good, old-fashioned face-to-face interaction at an event.
Every staffing and recruiting professional knows relationships are currency and, try as we may, our virtual communication simply can’t compete with an in-person connection. Still, despite the indisputable value of physical events, I’m cautious about where to allocate my time and my dollars.
So I pulled together a list of the top industry events for the busy staffing professional. For all of the staffing conferences, I included every key detail including the date, location, number of attendees, and the ever-important pricetag. These are all factors that help me assess which events to attend (or sponsor). And I am hopeful they will be of use to you as you plan your conference schedule for 2017 and build out a budget for employee education.
For those who can’t be there live, I included how to follow the events on Twitter so you can stay engaged from the comfort of your desk.
So here’s my top five, in chronological order:
Executive Forum
Hosted by Staffing Industry Analysts
February 13-17, 2017
San Diego, CA
Price: $2,165 for members, $2,699 for non-members through December 16th, 2016
Now more than ever, your leadership will define the future success of your business. Attending the Executive Forum will give you the roadmap to excel in this role, with Dare to Lead as the conference theme of 2017.
Provocative keynote speakers, dedicated networking time, and opportunities to strike deals can all be found at SIA Executive Forum.
Network with the more than 500 attendees plus hundreds of exhibitors in the expo hall.
Hot Tip: Look for Bullhorn in the expo hall. We’ll have a surprise at our booth, and it involves an endless supply of limited edition swag.
Follow @SIAnalysts @execforum | #execforum
Register now for lowest rates & join us in San Diego this February for Executive Forum 2017! #DareToLead #staffing #execforum https://t.co/17joSsx3po
— SIA Global (@SIAnalysts) October 27, 2016
Engage
Hosted by Bullhorn
June 7-9, 2017
Boston, MA
Price: $399 through December 31st, 2016. Save an additional $100 with code DECEMBER100 (Regular $899)
Engage is the ideal event for exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with accelerating your business growth in the new relationship economy.
Now celebrating its 10th year, Engage brings together 1,000 practitioners and innovative business leaders in B2B services industries including Staffing and Recruiting, SaaS, and Consulting, but is still intimate enough that you’ll see some of your favorite staffing friends.
Don’t let the low price fool you, this affordable event comes packed with a plethora of high-value content and networking plus a speaker lineup that can’t be beaten. Past speakers include Arianna Huffington, Editor-in-Chief of the Huffington Post, Best-selling author Daniel Pink, President of Adecco Joyce Russell, and more.
Attendees learn how to build better business relationships and more effectively engaging customers, candidates, and employees and explore the impact of emerging technologies on relationship-based businesses. It’s no surprise that attendees rated the educational content 4.5 out of 5 stars two years in a row.
Bullhorn users rave about the in-depth product workshops on Day 1. But these workshops and the general conference sold out in 2016 so be sure to register early!
Follow @Bullhorn | #BullhornEngage
Registration for Engage 2017 is open! https://t.co/TQv2cS17u6 #BullhornEngage pic.twitter.com/Q0EPXWBAJv
— Bullhorn (@Bullhorn) November 30, 2016
NAPS Conference
Hosted by National Association of Personnel Services
September 21-23, 2017
Denver, CO
Price: $800 for members, $1,200 for non-members through December 31st (Regular $1,150/$1,550)
The NAPS Conference is the oldest national association and conference serving firms and companies that specialize in Permanent Placement, Temporary Placement, and Blended Services. Through 24 breakout sessions, attendees learn industry best practices and how to improve their business through case studies.
This event draws close to 400 leaders and decision-makers from the search, recruiting, and staffing industry annually. If you are looking for certification, NAPS may be the place for you. There are certification courses and exams the day prior the main conference as well as two owners/managers-only workshops – one for temp, one for perm.
Attendees enjoy other unique activities including a state of the industry panel discussion and an awards luncheon. Meals are set up in the exhibit hall, where 20 exhibitors showcase the industry’s premier products and services.
Follow @NAPS360 | #NAPS2017
It's that time of year again. Our annual Call for Speakers for the NAPS Annual Conference! Submit your proposal now: https://t.co/MCv28bDNEM pic.twitter.com/QLd9ey2ufR
— NAPS – National Association of Personnel Services (@NAPS360) November 15, 2016
Staffing World
Hosted by American Staffing Association
October 24-26, 2017
Chicago, IL
Price: To Be Announced – $1,995 for members, $2,395 for non-members in 2016
The largest conference of these five, Staffing World historically attracts around 1900 attendees. This number includes 700 exhibitors, making the expo the largest and most comprehensive in the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry.
Each year, ASA brings together decision makers and cutting-edge staffing products and services to help the industry excel.
Follow @StaffingTweets | #StaffingWorld
SAVE THE DATE! #StaffingWorld 2017―Oct. 24–26 in Chicago! @StaffingTweets looks forward to seeing YOU in the Windy City next year #staffing pic.twitter.com/nYtZkvCcGN
— American Staffing Association (@StaffingTweets) November 7, 2016
IT & Engineering Staffing Conference & Tradeshow
Hosted by TechServe Alliance
November 9-11, 2017
Phoenix, AZ
Price: To Be Announced – an Early Bird discount will be available through July 2017
The TechServe Alliance Conference is a high-profile, information-rich conference that will energize and inspire executives, sales, and recruiting teams alike. Specifically designed for IT and Engineering staffing professionals, this annual conference offers relevant content in more than 20 breakout sessions within four tracks.
At this conference you have the opportunity to network with nearly 400 attendees and learn from top-notch speakers and exhibitors. There is also an interactive, one-day certification prep workshops & testing for account executives and recruiters earning their CPSAE or CPSR certification
This event is consistently rated as one of the top TechServe Alliance membership benefits by TechServe members and suppliers to the IT & engineering staffing and solutions industry. Attendees love learning new information on innovative staffing and solutions strategy development and industry best practices.
TechServe also hosts the Large Firm Forum, a conference-within-a-conference for larger IT & engineering staffing and solutions firms.
Follow @TechServe_Assoc | #TSAConf17
It's a wrap for #TSAConf16! Now the fun begins! Share these highlights from day 2 w/ your team back at the office. https://t.co/c7M30ll5T6
— TechServe Alliance (@TechServe_Assoc) November 6, 2016
