SHRM Regional Council Business Meeting

This is the conference hotel, and no we don't have access to any boats.

I first learned as a  young man that I enjoyed traveling. Going places I had never been, seeing things that I had read about, learning how people in different areas lived, what they ate... all of it, I found this to be very stimulating. As I grow older, I have maintained this love of travel and experiencing new things. Today though, most time I find not only am I doing all of the things I listed above but most times my travel has a purpose, one other than simply entertaining myself.


Today finds me in San Diego, CA at the SHRM Regional Council Business Meeting, or as I have designated it on twitter #SHRMBiz.  This is an annual gathering of the State Directors, the State Director-Elects, MAC Reps and typically another key state council member.   This year the Workforce Readiness Directors have been invited to attend.  Without a doubt SHRM will be putting forth an effort that is going to move the ball forward in this area.  We will learn more from today's meeting, but my inside information tells me it is going to have to do with hiring vets - a most worthwhile cause!


Including the SHRM Staff there are probably less than 200 people on-site for the meeing, which makes this a small meeting by SHRM standards. For me this has been one of the great things about the meeting - the size.  The relatively low number of attendees allows for some great networking opportunities, where state council peers can meet one and other and really connect.


In the previous meetings I have attended I have got to know my peers and learned from them. Everyone is willing to share and support one and other.  This leads to phone calls, emails, text messages and even other face to face meet-up - and ultimately into lifetime friendships. That makes it a pretty sweet deal.


So that's what we're doing here ar #SHRMBiz.  I have been challenged by #HR Zealot (and SHRM Board Member) Steve Browne, to light up the tweet stream while we are here, so we will do our best to do so.


Dave Ryan State Director of Illinois SHRM