Well, we did it !! The 39th Annual Ohio HR Conference – HR Rocks !! – has been performed. It was exhilarating and exhausting. There was an incredible flow of positive energy around every corner and many friends from the world of Social Media were pivotal to its success.
The attendees were engaged, upbeat and experienced a State Conference that tried to loosen the edges of conference traditions. For instance, the OHRC Committee had a lounge which was decorated with a beaded curtain that lead into a vast room of lava lamps, comfortable furniture and, of course, rock music !! The halls were filled with classic rock flowing all around people as they moved from session to session. The Mosh Pit (exhibit hall) was always full and the resource partners in their decorated booths caught the vibe of engaging the group instead of being seen as just selling their wares.
The Kalahari staff were incredible and responded at each and every question and need. This was during a week where the CEO of Kalahari was coming in for the wedding of one of his daughters. We met him and he felt that the Ohio HR Conference and his amazing resort fit well together !!
So, I’d like to wrap the incredible week with some thank you’s.
First of all – thank you to the attendees !! You chose to come out and get away from your desks to try something new and I hope it paid off in providing new ways for you to ROCK HR at your workplace !!
Secondly – to my Committee !! If I hear one more piece about HR practitioners who don’t care or represent our profession, I will personally introduce you to each member of my Committee who will show you true business leadership with a sense of joy, drive and intent !! They put on an incredible concert !!!
Third – to HR friends from Social Media who traveled from far and wide to attend (spy) and bring incredible energy, insight and support. It was so cool to hang out with Tammy Colson and Frank Zupan at our incredible Wine Tasting and to mill around with John Jorgensen, Dave Ryan, Brad Galin, Joan Ginsberg and Bryan Wempen throughout the week was amazing because I could always find them and hear words of encouragement.
Fourth – to Social Media leaders who brought their talent and presented. Thanks to Mark Stelzner, Benjamin McCall, Paul Hebert, Jennifer McClure, Bill Boorman, Mike VanDervort, Simon T. Bailey, China Gorman, William Tincup, Elizabeth Borton and Stephanie Thomas. Now, don’t get me wrong – I thought ALL of our speakers rocked it !! What this group did was put a real face on Social Media and HR. They came engaged, stayed through the conference and made it amazing.
Fifth – For William and Bryan to promote Drive Thru HR to practitioners and for them to feature one of my committee, Clay Morris, during the week. They continue to bring the HR profession to life !!
Finally – You have to end with a story . . .
A few years ago we agreed as a Committee to stop giving out plaques or crystal desk weights for service when you end your term as Chair. We decided to be more personal and ask what people would like (novel idea) or get something that fit them, their personality, etc. Well, my Committee outdid themselves this year. Here is what I received . . . a signed copy of U2’s The Joshua Tree album (my fave group !!) and a signed copy of an HR Rocks album that our Marketing guru, Mike Medoro, created with signatures from each committee member and each speaker. When I received them, I broke down and cried.
I am humbled to have been the Chair of this event. I am floored it even happened. And even more than that, I am proud to see that our profession now knows that HR ROCKS !!!!!
And now to help Fred plan 2012 – it’s going to be amazing !!!!
