shrm nm news
2012 SHRM NM State Conference
The 2012 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) New Mexico (NM) Conference, “Are You on Top of Your HR Game?” showed to be a true winner. With close to 400 participants to include 40 sponsors and exhibitors, and keynote speakers such as Stuart Crabb from Facebook, Mike Jones from Discovery Leadership Training, Pam Green from SHRM National, and Randy Mascarello and Tim Harris from Special Olympics New Mexico (SONM), the conference brought some of the most inspirational and knowledgeable speakers to the HR game in New Mexico. Part of the strategy for the Co-Directors, Denise Montoya, SPHR, and Lisa Chavez-Melo, PHR, was to feature a higher percentage of non-local speakers, brand the entire event, and give back to the community, all while containing the cost to the registrant which was not increased from the 2010 SHRM NM Conference.
Providing non-local speakers meant a higher cost to the conference but having that nationwide talent in training was key to a valuable learning experience. To help offset costs, the Co-Directors and the Exhibitor/Sponsor Committee came up with the idea to offer more items on an a la carte basis. The return on investment (ROI) for Exhibitors and Sponsors helped generate more income to bring in a diverse pool of talent and contain registrant cost.
Branding the event was critical to Denise and Lisa. The goal was to provide a “national” feel to a local conference. Not only was it important to brand the actual event but also the materials such as the Call for Presentations (CFP) and Exhibitor Prospectus. Their standard for this New Mexico event was a first class Olympic experience.
Special Olympics of New Mexico (SONM) was involved in almost every aspect of the conference. Denise and Lisa chose to partner with SONM late in 2010 as the event planning kicked off. As the planning continued over a two year period, so did the ideas on how to incorporate SONM and provide maximum exposure which brought inspiration to the event that had not been seen before.
The one clear message from the Co-Directors is that this conference could not have been done at an Olympic level without a first rate team of “A” players. Forming a strong, dedicated, passionate, and innovative committee focused on the goal and results oriented were just as important as providing a valuable conference. The team planned the event almost 20 months prior to the event and worked quite tirelessly in the weeks leading up to it. The team continued to maintain one voice throughout the process, and the success of the conference reflected it.
Initial feedback from the conference has been excellence. There have been several Exhibitors, Sponsors, Speakers, and Participants who have already expressed their interest in the 2014 SHRM NM Conference. The committee also utilized social media for the conference and generated quite a few more followers of SHRM NM on Facebook.
What a great conference this year! Thank you for your attendance and participation!!!
As the torch is passed to the 2014 SHRM NM Conference Co-Directors, a new dynamic and talented team will be formed. If you are interested in becoming involved in planning for the next conference, please contact the Co-Directors.
Leah Boetger, SHPR
Mackenzie Bingham, PHR
SHRM National Membership Winners Announced
SHRM NM State Council sponsored a one year SHRM National Membership for each of the 5 chapters in New Mexico. A drawing was held, and the recipients are…
Cricket Long, FCHRA
Lisa Warren, SNM SHRM
Kimberley Holmes, HRMA
Darlene Tafoya, Energy Plex HRA
Dolores Vigil, NNMHRA
Congratulations to the winners! If you would like information about becoming a member of SHRM or an affiliate chapter, click here or visit Membership link on the left side of the page.