10th annual Northeast Human Resources Association convention lands in Providence
Event features an "Extreme HR" theme during three days of exhibits, speakers, learning, and festivities
PROVIDENCE, R.I., November 2-4, 2005 - More than 1,000 human resources professionals converged on the Rhode Island capital this year for what has become an annual event known as the "HR invention convention," sponsored by the Northeast Human Resources Association.
This year's event featured numerous of HR-themed workshops, over 150 company booths, unique entertainment, and enlightening keynote speeches from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and NASCAR driver Kyle Petty.
Albright, who served as the secretary of state during President Bill Clinton's second term, spoke on Thursday morning. As the founder of The Albright Group LLC, a global strategy firm, the former politician tied her experiences in international policy with the elements of human resources, specifically urging managers to keep abreast of change in a swiftly morphing, globalized world.
Petty delivered the afternoon keynote speech, speaking of his experiences on the race track and relating them to numerous business themes, such as the focus and determination it takes to become the best at something. "A lot of times, it's what's inside. It's not the package, it's what's inside," Petty offered the crowd.
In addition to the celebrity speeches, attendees visited numerous workshops put on by prominent local HR and management figures such as Susan Colantuono of Lifespan and David L. Eaton of the Eaton Consulting Group. Although the workshops covered a wide gamut of topics, popular themes such as the emergence and sharpening of HR metrics, creating a diverse workplace, and how to effectively retain talent entertwined throughout many presentations.
Over 150 companies and organizations set up booths for the event. Groundbreaking technology companies such as Perfect Software and H3 were on hand to display their products, while many other more traditional staffing firms and businesses simply set up booths to network and meet with clients.
However, conference-goers weren't limited to talking shop for the three days. NEHRA featured a "Casino Night" on Wednesday night to kick off the proceedings. After Thursday night's dinner reception, guests took in a performance by Rhythm Extreme, a unique percussion group that pounded on everything from metal trash cans to surgical equipment in creating a cacophonic melody of sounds.
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