Join Us at HR Connect 2026 | September 24 | MGM Springfield, MA
The workplace is shifting
Leadership expectations are changing. AI is transforming how work gets done. Recruitment looks different than it did a year ago. Compensation, benefits, employee expectations, and workplace culture continue to evolve at a pace few organizations have experienced before.
The question isn’t whether change is coming.
The question is: Are you ready for it?
Keynote Speaker
Jennifer McClure, DistruptHR
HR as Chief Disruption Officer: How HR Leaders Can Drive Transformation and Shape the Future of Work
The future of work isn’t coming – it’s already here. And it demands more than adapting. It calls for bold, strategic, and human-centered leadership from HR. In this dynamic and thought-provoking session, HR professionals will be challenged to step into the role of Chief Disruption Officer — not to create chaos, but to lead meaningful change that positions people and organizations to thrive. You’ll explore what’s holding HR back — from burnout and skills gaps to tech overwhelm and trust erosion — and discover the bold disruptions that can shift HR from reactive and operational to transformative and future-focused. This keynote offers a fresh roadmap for forward-thinking HR leadership, grounded in real stories, actionable ideas, and a powerful SHIFT framework for turning vision into impact. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, you’ll leave energized and equipped to lead the future of work – on purpose.
What to Expect – Workshops
THRIVE – Shifting the People Culture
HR Leaders Eat Lunch – You’re the one holding everyone else together — but who’s holding you up? This session flips the script on traditional leadership development and gets honest about what it actually takes to lead HR when the ground keeps moving. Walk away with tools, perspective, and maybe a little permission to put yourself first.
The Power of Saying “No” – The most underused strategy in HR might be two letters. This session explores the art of saying no — to scope creep, unrealistic expectations, and requests that pull you away from real impact. You’ll leave with language, frameworks, and the confidence to protect your time, your team, and your credibility.
Developing our Leaders for Tomorrow – The leaders your organization needs in five years may not exist yet — or they may be sitting in a role you haven’t thought to look at. This panel-driven session digs into what leadership development actually looks like in the middle of a workforce shift: what’s working, what’s broken, and how to build a pipeline that’s ready for whatever comes next.
EVOLVE – Shifting how we Find & Grow Talent
Work Shift: AI & HR – AI isn’t coming for your job — but it is coming for your job description. This session cuts through the hype to explore what artificial intelligence actually means for HR right now: the workflows it’s already changing, the risks you need to own, and the decisions only humans can make. Get practical, get curious, and get ahead.
The New Recruitment Landscape – The rules of hiring have changed — candidate expectations, sourcing strategies, technology, speed, and the employer brand you may not even know you have. This session brings together voices from the front lines of recruitment to unpack what’s actually working in 2026 and how to rethink your approach before your next open role costs you more than time.
Coaching your Managers on Conflict Resolution – Most managers were never taught how to handle conflict — they were just promoted and hoped for the best. This session gives HR professionals the tools to coach managers through real, messy, human situations before they become HR cases. Because prevention is always better than documentation.
INVEST – Shifting the Total Rewards Equation
Compensation for Tomorrow’s Workforce – Pay transparency, pay equity, inflation fatigue, and a workforce that Googles salary ranges before the interview is even over — compensation has never been more complex or more visible. This session takes a hard look at where total rewards strategy is headed and what you need to do right now to stay competitive and credible.
The Employee Benefit Shift – Healthcare, mental health, flexibility, financial wellness, student loan support — the definition of “benefits” has exploded, and employees know exactly what they want (and what you’re not offering). This session explores how forward-thinking organizations are rethinking their benefits portfolio to attract, retain, and actually support the humans behind the headcount.
Rewards & Recognition on Any Budget – Great recognition isn’t a line item — it’s a mindset. Whether your budget is flush or frozen, this session reveals how to build a culture of appreciation that actually lands with today’s workforce. Think beyond the gift card and discover what employees really want to feel valued.
SPECIAL SESSION!
Hotline: LIVE! – Think you’ve seen it all? Bring your toughest, strangest, most “you won’t believe this happened” HR scenario — because we’re putting it live on the air. This interactive post-lunch session tackles real-world HR dilemmas in real time, with expert perspective and maybe a few laughs. No scripts. No filters. Just HR, uncut.
Registration Pricing
Not a member? Join EANE to take advantage of registration discounts and countless other member benefits.
| Member | Future Member | |
| Early Bird Registration (effective through Sept. 4) | $296 per person | $370 per person |
| Standard Registration | $360 per person | $450 per person |
For groups of 3 or more, email Shaynah Jerman to unlock your special discount!