Dear Conference Registrant:
We are delighted that you will be attending the SHRM Leadership Conference at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, November 15 – 17, 2012. The following information is designed to make your conference experience successful.
We look forward to welcoming more than 900 volunteer leaders including chapter presidents (and incoming presidents), state council members, and board members from SHRM, the HR Certification Institute and the SHRM Foundation. The schedule is packed with activities and meetings. We thank you for your commitment to the profession and to SHRM. The PDF is also available online for you to download.
The 2012 SHRM Leadership Conference has been enhanced to enable you to learn with and from your peers in similar volunteer roles. With this in mind, the following sessions have been created, which will help you tailor your learning experience and focus on your specific area.
Preconference Webinar
Before you join us at the Leadership Conference, please review the applicable orientation webinar to your role. This webinar provides important information about your volunteer role including expectations, resources, etc. Webinars are available for the following roles:
- Chapter President
- State Council Director
- State Council District Director
- State Council Membership Director
At the conclusion of the webinar, a link will be provided to the Certificate of Completion. Please download the certificate, add the pertinent information and bring it to the conference. Drop the completed certificate into the container at the Member Relations Center to be entered into a drawing for a Kindle Fire. Access the webinars at: http://www.shrm.org/Communities/VolunteerResources/Pages/LeadershipConference.aspx
Chapter Leaders
The breakout by size sessions focus on effective chapter management and the sharing of successful practices for chapter presidents/ president-elect. The Chapter Leader track will be divided into the following:
- Small Chapters: 10-100 members
- Medium Chapters: 101-300 members
- Large Chapters: 301-500 members
- Mega Chapters: 501-1,000 members
- Super-Mega Chapters: 1,001 + members
State Council Leaders
The state council breakout provides state council directors and district directors valuable information on managing SHRM initiatives at the state level, how to assist chapters be successful and and offer an opportunity to share successful practices.
Leadership Development Sessions
These sessions take place on Friday, November 16. Presenters will focus on leadership topics that are particularly important to you as a volunteer leader as well as HR professional.
SHRM Membership Summit
This interactive forum for State Council Membership Directors covers the essentials of creating a strategic membership plan; identifying marketing resources; understanding membership trends and how to support membership initiatives. Learn from your colleagues by sharing effective practices. The Leadership Conference Program will be provided in your conference materials.
Capitol Hill Visits
Join your fellow SHRM volunteer leaders and the SHRM Government Affairs staff for a trip to Capitol Hill on Thursday, November 15th. This is your opportunity to share your concerns and viewpoints regarding the upcoming legislation that affects you as an HR professional. You must register in advance for the Capitol Hill visits, as space is limited. There will be a breakfast and briefing for registrants to attend before boarding the bus to visit your legislators on Capitol Hill. Business attire is suggested.
If you registered for the Hill visit and now are unable to attend, please contact Member Care to cancel your reservation for the Thursday visit.
Open House
Thursday, November 15, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
SHRM will host an Open House at the World Headquarters on Thursday evening. Buses will depart from the Gaylord National following the Opening General Session and will run continuously until 7:00 p.m. Back by popular demand, we will be having the SHRM Store® End-of-Season Clearance and the HR Magazine Picture Station, located in the Carlyle Building.
SHRM Foundation Silent Auction
Friday, November 16, 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Bid on your favorite items and show your support for the SHRM Foundation at this exciting event. The SHRM Foundation will feature approximately 50 items donated by SHRM state councils, board members and other supporters. The items will be displayed and available for bidding on Friday from 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., and the auction winners will be announced on Saturday morning. All proceeds support the SHRM Foundation and its programs.
SHRM Networking Reception & Celebration Dinner
Friday, November 16, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of fun and networking with your colleagues in recognition of your contributions as a volunteer leader at Friday night’s reception and dinner where we will present the Pinnacle Awards and the Sue Meisinger Fellowship Award. The evening’s entertainment is provided by the Water Coolers.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION WEBSITE
View and print presentations for the Leadership Conference Online. In our efforts to be green, session handouts will not be available at the conference. Registered attendees can visit http://presentations.shrm.org/ and login with their Member/Customer ID Number and Last Name to access presentations before and after the conference
HOTEL INFORMATION
Headquarters Hotel
Gaylord National
20 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745
301.965.2300
Overflow Hotels
aLoft Hotel
156 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745
301.749.9000
Westin Washington National Harbor
171 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745
301.567.3999
Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 p.m. If you are checking in before 3:00 p.m., your room may not be available and you may need to store your luggage.
TRANSPORTATION
Washington, DC is served by three major airports. The closest is Ronald Reagan National Airport, but Dulles Airport and Thurgood Marshall Baltimore Washington International Airport are also options.
REGISTRATION/SHRM STORE®
Conference registration and the SHRM Store® will be located on level 2 of the convention center across from the Potomac Ballroom. Hours of operation:
Registration
Thursday, November 15 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, November 16 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 17 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SHRMStore
Thursday, November 15 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, November 16 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 17 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
At registration, you will receive a conference bag, conference program and other materials that will enhance your conference experience. Please do not forget to pick up your regional lanyard next to registration. Each color represents a specific region. Please be sure to wear your conference lanyard and badge at all times during the conference.
Northeast Region - Black Lanyard
Southeast Region - Green Lanyard
North Central Region - Red Lanyard
Southwest Central Region - White Lanyard
Pacific West - Blue Lanyard
2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Chicago, Illinois
As always, we want to make it as convenient as possible for you to make hotel reservations and join us in Chicago, June, 16 – 19, 2013! The annual Conference and SHRM/ Wyndham Jade Housing Bureau will be available in the Grand Foyer throughout the conference to answer questions about the conference and Chicago! Be sure to reserve your room early! More information is available at annual.shrm.org
WASHINGTON, DC AREA
The National Harbor is a lively area filled with a variety of shops, hotels and restaurants. To learn more about National Harbor, visit www.nationalharbor.com. Washington, DC is not only the proud home of the nation’s capital; it is a sophisticated city in its own right. Visit the following website for DC information and to help you plan your visit: www.washington.org. While you are in town, also enjoy the history and site of Alexandria and Arlington, VA . To learn more about Alexandria and Arlington, visit their websites www.alexandriava.gov and www.arlingtonva.us
LOGISTICS
The suggested attire for the conference is business casual. If you are participating in the Capitol Hill visits, please plan to wear business attire. A jacket or sweater is suggested as meeting rooms are normally cooler than other parts of the hotel. The weather is usually mild but can be unpredictable, so please bring a jacket or coat for cool evenings. Don’t forget to bring plenty of business cards to enhance your networking opportunities.