Pays Tribute to Outstanding Professionals
Vermont Business Magazine The 2023 SHRM Vermont State HR Conference, held in Burlington on September 14th and 15th, achieved a remarkable milestone by shattering all previous attendance records. This year's conference brought together HR professionals from across the state, and beyond, in a two-day event that combined exceptional learning opportunities with memorable celebrity appearances.
The #SHRMVT23 Conference, organized by the Vermont State Council of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) is the state's premier event for HR professionals and enthusiasts. This year's conference saw an unprecedented surge in attendance, with over 500 participants converging at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Burlington. The astounding turnout underscores the growing importance of HR in today's rapidly changing workplace landscape.
The conference this year was infused with a dose of glamour and inspiration thanks to its theme, "HR Takes Center Stage” and was hosted by tuxedo-clad Master Facilitator Ross Gibson of The Richards Group which was also the event’s main sponsor.
Attendees were treated to truly special moments like Hollywood actor and Vermonter, Luis Guzmán, who redirected the spotlight towards his extensive background as an inner-city social worker. His impassioned discussion about the confluence of entertainment, humanity, and social transformation left a profound impact on the audience.
In a remarkable twist, he even led a packed ballroom in a collective salsa dance, further cementing the memorable experience!
Dr. Neha Sangwan, a prominent physician and author, unveiled her latest book, Powered by Me, which addresses the pressing issue of burnout in the workplace and in life. Her presentation shed light on the critical need for empathy and self-care in HR practices. Attendees were treated to an advanced, signed copy of her book.
Ted Alexandro
Critically acclaimed comedian, Ted Alexandro made a special stop in Vermont, temporarily stepping away from his ongoing tour with Jim Gaffigan, to bring conference attendees to tears of laughter as the exciting dinner entertainment.
A key highlight of the conference was the recognition of exceptional performance and outstanding achievement by professionals in the field of HR.
Alexa Euler, Director of Human Resources with Counseling Service of Addison County (CSAC) has been named the 2023 Dolly Shaw Vermont Human Resources Professional of the Year which was sponsored by One Digital.
Katie Stames, HR Business Partner with Data Innovations, was honored as the 2023 Emerging Vermont HR Professional of the Year sponsored by Chroma Technology Corp. This year’s honorees were selected by the Vermont State Council Selection Committee whose members are all previous Vermont HR Award recipients spanning from 2006 to 2022.
The conference was also rich with high-quality content spread among 16 breakout sessions and 30 speakers such as best practices using ChatGPT, compensation strategies, change management, inclusive leadership, conflict resilience, and even how to be a “Positive Badass”.
The conference concluded with a highly interactive “Jeopardy Game Show” on employment law hosted by legal dynamos Beth Rattigan, Kerin Stackpole, and Amy McLaughlin.
Conference Co-Chairperson, Chelsea Daneault, commented, "We are so appreciative to all our sponsors and exhibitors who made this event possible. With our sponsorships sold out and over 55 exhibitors showcasing the best in HR tools and solutions, our Expo Hall this year was non-stop buzzing with excitement.”
"This year’s Vermont HR conference exceeded all expectations," said Mara Rivera, State Council Director and Conference Co-Chair. "We are thrilled to have had such a tremendous turnout, as well as all the positive feedback from attendees. The enthusiasm, engagement, and passion of our state council volunteer members, speakers, exhibitors, and attendees truly made this event unforgettable and a true celebration of HR.”
About SHRM Vermont State Council:
The SHRM Vermont State Council is a non-profit organization and exists as an affiliate of the Society of Human Resource Management, the world's largest association devoted to Human Resource Management. Membership is made up of 20 volunteers who are appointed to the Council, including the elected Presidents of our 3-local affiliated SHRM chapters, Vermont Human Resources Association (VHRA), Green Mountain Human Resources Association (GMHRA), and River Valley Human Resources Association (RVHRA). The council supports the efforts of SHRM in the core leadership areas identified as Membership, Diversity, Workforce Readiness, College Relations, SHRM Certification, SHRM Foundation, and Governmental Affairs. www.shrmvt.org.
Source: Burlington, VT — SHRM Vermont
