HR Conference 2025

Event date: 3/13/2025 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

HR Conference 2025

March 13, 2025
Suburban Collection Showplace - Novi, MI

The 2025 HR Conference promises an inspiring day of learning, networking, and professional growth tailored for HR professionals. This year’s sessions focus on embracing innovation, building resilience, and shaping the future of work. Featuring dynamic keynote sessions like “Embrace Fear, Unlock Potential” with transformational speaker Jacob Brown and “Love as a Business Strategy” by Mohammad Anwar and Frank Danna, the conference dives deep into leadership, wellbeing, legal updates, AI in HR, and succession planning. Interactive breakout sessions offer practical strategies on topics such as career mapping, total rewards evolution, and fostering inclusive cultures. Whether you’re aiming to gain cutting-edge insights, expand your network, or spark meaningful change within your organization, this event is an unmissable opportunity to elevate your HR expertise.

Whether you are a future member, past member, or current member we encourage you to join us!

The first 200 registrants will receive a keynote authored book!
Winners will be notified via email prior to the conference.

Pricing:

Early Bird (Through 1/31/25)

ASE Members: $290
Non-Members: $350

After 2/1/25

ASE Members: $350
Non-Members: $395

Early Bird Group (4+) (Through 1/31/25)

ASE Members: $265
Non-Members: $310

Group (4+) After 2/1/25

ASE Members: $300
Non-Members: $360

Group Registration

This program has been approved for 5.25 PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification credits through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) as well as 5 SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification credits through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). The use of these seals is not an endorsement by HRCI or SHRM for the quality of the program. It means that this conference has met the HRCI's and SHRM's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit.

Keynotes	Embrace Fear, Unlock Potential: Building Resilient Teams That Thrive Jacob Brown, Transformational Keynote Speaker Fear of failure often stands in the way of innovation, growth, and meaningful progress - both for individuals and organizations. This keynote will challenge HR leaders, staff, and executives to rethink the role of fear in performance, culture, and leadership. Drawing from real-life stories of setbacks and success, Jacob Brown will share practical strategies for embracing fear, eliminating the “what ifs,” and fostering a culture of resilience and intentional growth. Discover how to help employees unlock their full potential, build confidence in the face of uncertainty, and create a workplace where people can fail forward – turning challenges into opportunities for growth and success. By shifting mindsets at every level of the organization, you’ll leave equipped to lead with purpose, develop stronger teams, and cultivate an environment where innovation thrives. Love as a Business Strategy: Transforming Culture, Strategy, and Success Mohammad Anwar, President & CEO, Softway and Culture+, WSJ Best Selling Author Frank Danna, Director, Softway and Culture+, WSJ Best Selling Author Discover the transformative power of “love” in business and how it can redefine the way we approach strategy, culture, and performance. In this dynamic keynote, Mohammad and Frank, authors of the Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Love as a Business Strategy, will break down the misconceptions around "love" in the workplace. They’ll share compelling stories and real-life examples demonstrating how incorporating love into business practices can drive inclusion, boost morale, and even become a competitive advantage. Attendees will learn how to apply love practically across every facet of their organizations, cultivating a culture where employees feel valued and empowered. Walk away with actionable insights to foster more inclusive, diverse, and compassionate work environments, and discover how love can bring out the best in your people, your company, and yourself.
Agenda	Opening Keynote: 8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Embrace Fear, Unlock Potential: Building Resilient Teams That Thrive Jacob Brown, Transformational Keynote Speaker Fear of failure often stands in the way of innovation, growth, and meaningful progress - both for individuals and organizations. This keynote will challenge HR leaders, staff, and executives to rethink the role of fear in performance, culture, and leadership. Drawing from real-life stories of setbacks and success, Jacob Brown will share practical strategies for embracing fear, eliminating the “what ifs,” and fostering a culture of resilience and intentional growth. Discover how to help employees unlock their full potential, build confidence in the face of uncertainty, and create a workplace where people can fail forward – turning challenges into opportunities for growth and success. By shifting mindsets at every level of the organization, you’ll leave equipped to lead with purpose, develop stronger teams, and cultivate an environment where innovation thrives. HRCI: 1 General Credit SHRM: 1 Credit General Session: 9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Employment Law & ESTA Update Anne-Marie V. Welch, Member, Clark Hill The change in administration at the federal level and the flip of the Michigan legislature is likely to bring changes for HR professionals. It is essential for HR professionals to stay up to date on the latest employment law changes to ensure compliance and mitigate risks in the workplace. This session will provide a comprehensive update on key legislative and regulatory developments affecting the workplace. Attendees will gain insights into recent case law, changes to employment regulations (including Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act), and emerging trends in areas such as wage and hour laws, accommodation requirements, AI, workplace discrimination, noncompetition, and more. With a focus on actionable advice, HR leaders will leave with a clearer understanding of how to adapt their policies and practices to meet current and future legal requirements. HRCI: 1.25 Business Credits SHRM: 1 Credit Morning Breakouts: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Preparing Your Organization for Career Mapping Kathy Grinsteiner, Leadership Speaker Top organizations are intentional about talent engagement, retention, and advancement, although it can often feel overwhelming. While there is no “one size fits all” universal solution, there are essential components vital to organizational preparedness that require a focus on both processes and culture. In this session, we will explore different talent review and career mapping models, such as the 9-Box Talent Matrix, to improve decision-making. Participants will also delve into four critical components of employee retention: transparency, development opportunities, employee self-awareness, and organizational culture. At its heart, career mapping centers around the individual, yet the organization sets the stage. HRCI: 1 Business Credit SHRM: 1 Credit Our Wellbeing Journey: From Vision to Reality Brandon Naif, Health and Wellbeing Specialist, Community Financial Credit Union Laura Stone, Manager Total Rewards, Community Financial Credit Union In this insightful session, participants will explore how to successfully transform a vision for workplace wellbeing into reality – even with limited to no budget. In exploring Community Financials’ journey, they will guide you through the creative strategies and resourceful solutions that helped them overcome financial constraints. Demonstrating that impactful wellbeing programs truly are possible for any organization. You’ll also discover a holistic approach to wellbeing that goes beyond traditional health risk assessments and learn to identify common challenges in building a culture of wellbeing. This session will equip HR with the tools and inspiration to create a thriving workplace wellbeing program that fosters engagement, health, and long-term success. HRCI: 1 General Credit SHRM: 1 Credit 2025 HR Trends: Embracing Human-Centric HR Laili Choudhury, MBA, Director of Member Services, McLean & Company James Kim, Manager of HR Research & Advisory Services, McLean & Company If you missed the 2025 HR Trends webinar join us for this live presentation where McLean & Company is unveiling the key HR trends, priorities, and initiatives that will help HR drive organizational success. Advancements in technology are creating a more digital world that is enabling innovative approaches to work through Gen AI, process automation, and robust analytics. Simultaneously, these advancements have the potential to engender negative outcomes for employees like the loneliness epidemic or fear of becoming obsolete. These developments are shining a light on HR to lead the organization in fostering workplaces that put people and their needs first through human-centric leadership and HR programs. Explore the four pivotal trends highlighted in the McLean & Company 2025 HR Trends Survey: HR in 2025 AI Transformation in HR Navigating multiple threats to wellbeing Human leadership in a complex digital world And other emerging trends! HRCI: 1 Business Credit SHRM: 1 Credit Shaping the Future of Leadership Clifton Clarke, Trainer, ASE What will leadership look like as we step into the future? Join us for an in-depth look at the skills and strategies leaders will need over the next five years. From AI and emerging generations to evolving definitions of diversity and change management, we’ll explore how to help employees not only survive but thrive through the shifts ahead. Dive into topics like generational growth, culture-building, and the transformative impact of technology. HRCI: 1 Business Credit SHRM: 1 Credit Afternoon Breakouts: 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Overcoming Succession Planning Roadblocks: Solutions for HR Leaders Sarah Orwig, Chief Human Resources Officer, Niles Industrial Coatings, LLC Succession planning is essential for organizational stability and growth, but HR leaders often face hurdles in building and executing effective strategies. This session addresses common succession planning challenges such as identifying high-potential talent, managing internal resistance, and overcoming skill gaps and resource constraints. Through real-world case studies and expert advice, participants will learn practical solutions to streamline the succession process and gain executive buy-in. Whether you’re new to succession planning or refining your approach, this session offers valuable insights and practical tools to boost organizational resilience and prepare for future growth. HRCI: 1 General Credit SHRM: 1 Credit Reimagining Total Rewards: Integrating Benefits, Culture, and Change Management to Drive Employee Engagement and Organizational Growth Krystn Clark, Vice President, Employee Benefits Advisor, Brown & Brown This session explores the evolution of total rewards programs beyond traditional benefits, focusing on how organizations can design a holistic strategy that enhances employee engagement while aligning with company culture. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the rewards strategy supports both organizational goals and employee aspirations. By leveraging the power of data and AI, organizations can personalize benefits to create a tailored employee experience. Additionally, the session highlights the need for effective communication strategies that resonate with diverse demographics, showcasing the value of total rewards packages. Finally, it provides insights into navigating changes with strategic solutions that mitigate cost increases while minimizing disruption and maximizing organizational impact. HRCI: 1 Business Credit SHRM: 1 Credit AI in HR - Recruitment, Engagement, and Cultural Impact Brent Yax, CEO, Awecomm In this session, participants will explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the HR landscape, covering practical applications, tools, and cultural implications. Learn how AI-driven technology can streamline talent acquisition, candidate screening, and employee engagement analytics. Participants will gain insights into using generative AI for creating tailored job descriptions, automated candidate communications, and customized training materials, enhancing HR’s efficiency and effectiveness. Beyond the technical aspects, the session will dive into the cultural impacts of AI in the workplace, examining critical issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethics. Through discussions and case studies, attendees will confront the ethical challenges of AI use in HR, learning how to build frameworks that promote responsible AI deployment. HRCI: 1 General Credit SHRM: 1 Credit Hunting Your Goals Jacob Brown, Transformational Keynote Speaker Setting goals is the easy part, but staying committed through challenges is where the real work begins. In this session, Jacob Brown shares practical strategies, drawn from his own diverse experiences, to help you move beyond goal setting into intentional action. You’ll learn how to overcome obstacles, maintain momentum, and stay focused, no matter what stands in your way. This session isn’t just about setting goals – it’s about pursuing them relentlessly and seeing them through to the finish line. HRCI: 1 General Credit SHRM: 1 Credit Afternoon Keynote: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Love as a Business Strategy: Transforming Culture, Strategy, and Success Mohammad Anwar, President & CEO, Softway and Culture+, WSJ Best Selling Author Frank Danna, Director, Softway and Culture+, WSJ Best Selling Author Discover the transformative power of “love” in business and how it can redefine the way we approach strategy, culture, and performance. In this dynamic keynote, Mohammad and Frank, authors of the Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Love as a Business Strategy, will break down the misconceptions around "love" in the workplace. They’ll share compelling stories and real-life examples demonstrating how incorporating love into business practices can drive inclusion, boost morale, and even become a competitive advantage. Attendees will learn how to apply love practically across every facet of their organizations, cultivating a culture where employees feel valued and empowered. Walk away with actionable insights to foster more inclusive, diverse, and compassionate work environments, and discover how love can bring out the best in your people, your company, and yourself. HRCI: 1 General Credit SHRM: 1 Credit
Sponsors	Get in front of hundreds of HR professionals and leaders by securing a sponsorship at the 2025 HR Conference. We have levels available for every price point. View Sponsorship Opportunities For more information or to secure a sponsorship, contact Nick Corrado. 2025 Sponsors Bag Sponsor Lanyard Sponsor Notebook Sponsors Breakfast Sponsor Wellness Sponsor
Giving	We will be collecting donations for MCHS at the HR Conference. MCHS Family of Services provides individualized treatment, care, advocacy, and permanency to children and families impacted by childhood trauma. Items will be collected near registration at the HR Conference on March 13, 2025. There will also be an opportunity to make a monetary donation. View the MCHS wish list here.
Register	The first 200 registrants will receive a keynote authored book! Winners will be notified via email prior to the conference. Early Bird (Through 1/31/25) ASE Members: $290 Non-Members: $350 After 2/1/25 ASE Members: $350 Non-Members: $395 Register Early Bird Group (4+) (Through 1/31/25) ASE Members: $265 Non-Members: $310 Group (4+) After 2/1/25 ASE Members: $300 Non-Members: $360 Group Registration This event is being held at the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48374. Discounted hotel rooms are available for $159 at the Hyatt Place Detroit/Novi, which is connected to the event location. Must book by 2/12/25. Use discount code G-ASEE when booking.