the 2012 conference + tradeshow seasonIt’s hard to believe Thanksgiving and the Holiday season is just around the corner. Before we know it, 2013 will be knocking on the door. Now that the 2012 conference + tradeshow season is winding down, I soon will be a permanent fixture at my desk and not just a mirage—at least until the 2013 travels begin in February!
The month of November includes the last four (4) events for the HR Certification Institute in 2012:o Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC) Summit 2012
o International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) 58th US Annual Employee Benefits Conference
o SHRM 2012 SHRM Leadership Conference
o International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)
Attractions Expo 2012Starting off the month, Bennie Johnson, chief global marketing & business development officer for the Institute, and I will head north to Chicago, Illinois, for the
HRMAC Summit, a one-day event on Thursday, November 8, 2012. Not only will we be exhibiting (booth #108), but the Institute is proudly sponsoring the HR Young Leaders Luncheon. If you’re attending the conference, please stop by and say hi!
As Bennie heads back East to DC, I will head West to San Diego, CA, for the 58th
US Annual Employee Benefits Conference and meet up with Grey Scott, MS, SPHR, HR content manager for the Institute, November 10-14, 2012. This is our second time exhibiting at the annual conference and Grey and I are ready to rock and roll! Stop by booth #802 and pick up some literature and cool giveaways.
But there will be no rest for the weary. As Grey finishes up the last day in San Diego, I will be long gone heading to Orlando, FL, for our first time ever exhibiting at the
IAAPA Attractions Expo 2012, November 13-16, 2012. You may be asking yourself, “What does the Institute have to do with attractions and amusement parks?” As part of IAAPA’s Education Program, specific seminars addressing various operational areas, such as human resources, will take place, including an all-day Institute: Essentials of Human Resources Management, November 13, 2012. With more than 25,000 attendees from all aspects of the industry, I’m sure to meet some of our certified HR professionals, as well as educate those interested in one of our exams! Look for me at booth #4080 in the exhibitors’ row!
While I’m holding it down in Orlando, the rest of the Institute will be at the Gaylord National Harbor, MD, for the
SRHM 2012 Leadership Conference, November 15-17, 2012. We always look forward to this time of year to not only thank the volunteers for their hard work and support of certification and the Institute, but also to give them a chance to meet our hard-working staff in Alexandria, VA. Many of these people have “met” only virtually, whether through conference calls or emails, so it’s always great to put a face to a name. I’m sad I won’t be there this year, but I’ll be there in spirit!
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter (@battenkatie) and if you or anyone you know is at ANY of these conferences and would like a chance to win a certification exam scholarship (exam + application fees) for either the Spring 2013 or Winter 2013 windows, just stop by, pick up some collateral, and drop a business card!
Katie Batten
Marketing Event Specialist
