Blog Post: AZ SHRM State Conference on September 1-4, 2009 Phoenix Convention Center

• Do you have limited funds for conferences this year?
• Do you want opportunities to network with other HR professionals? 
• Do you need HR Certification Institute recertification credit hours to recertify as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR)?
• Do you need strategic hours to recertify as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)?
• What about international hours to recertify as a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)?

Then join us for the 15th Annual AZ SHRM State Conference on September 1-4, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix.  It is the conference you don't want to miss!

The HR Certification Institute has awarded up to:
- 17 HR Certification Institute General Recertification Hours for the conference
 (including up to 11 Strategic and 1 International depending on session choice)
- Up to an additional 8 Strategic Recertification Hours for the pre-conference workshops
- The actual number of hours earned depends on sessions chosen and attended

This year's theme is "HR Shines in Tough Times", and we will have two and half days packed full of opportunities to network, visit with exhibitors of HR products and services, and attend outstanding educational sessions including:

- "Engaged Leadership" presented by Clint Swindall, author of the book "Engaged Leadership: Building a Culture to Overcome Employee Disengagement".

- "Made to Stick" presented by Dan Heath, co-author of the book "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die" and the soon-to-be-released book, "Switch:  How to Change Things When Change is Hard".  All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of this new book!

- "Courageous Leadership Serves You Right!" presented by Susan Brooks.  This highly interactive and refreshingly energized presentation will inspire you to "raise the bar" with a greater commitment to courageous and highly contagious leadership as an HR professional.  Insights and applications from this program will encourage a professional and personal renewal and commitment to the important work we do.

- "Greater Than Yourself: Taking the Leap to Extreme Leadership" presented by Steve Farber.  Steve will reveal how your organization or team can achieve explosive results by encouraging every leader and employee to take on a "Greater Than Yourself" relationship for unprecedented personal growth and productivity. 

- "High Definition People!(TM) Ignite Passion and Experience Life and Work in Vivid Color!" presented by Barbara Sanfilippo and Bob Romano.  In this idea-packed, entertaining and interactive performance, this dynamic husband and wife duo will give you clarity on what it takes to Be Vivid!  Be Vibrant!  Be Valued! and ignite the spirit of service and passion in yourself and all those you touch.  You'll leave energized and ready to experience life and work in high definition!

- "High Performance Climb" presented by John Foley.  Every organization depends upon the performance of their people and their teams.  There are few examples where this is more dramatically demonstrated than with the Blue Angels.  John Foley draws upon his experience as Lead Solo of the Blue Angels to inspire audiences and show them how to achieve substantially higher levels of performance. 

- Annual "Legal Update" by Neil Alexander of Littler Mendelson and a panel of expert employment law attorneys.

We also have pre-conference workshops available providing more in-depth presentations on topics such as "Conducting Effective Investigations", "Driving HR Strategy with Human Capital Analytics" and "Avoiding Not So Sweet Sorrow of Parting with Employees:  Managing Risk in Workplace Reductions".   

Thanks to our sponsors, you can attend the full conference for only $399 if you are a SHRM member.  Pre-conference workshops are $200.  Online registration ends on August 24th so register today at http://www.azshrm.org. 

Laura Krause, SPHR, IPMA-CP
AZ SHRM State Conference Co-Chair