Photo: Maggie Davis (l), senior account manager, MyStaff Inc. and Mary Kyle (r), senior technical recruiting partner, First National Bank of Omaha, co-chaired this year’s August 8 HIRE event.
Omaha, NE. August 8 – Designed to enhance talent strategists’ skills in an increasingly competitive labor market, the 4th Annual HIRE Conference was held today from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Institute for Culinary Arts on Metro Community College’s Fort Omaha Campus.
The event sold out, and welcomed more than 170 hiring professionals.
“I have had the honor and privilege of co-chairing the HIRE Conference for the last two years. I’m proud to say that 2019 was our largest audience so far,” said Maggie Davis, HIRE co-chair and senior account manager, MyStaff Inc. “The consistent theme of this event was helping recruiters and talent acquisition professionals sharpen their saws by offering opportunities to network with likeminded professionals, form new relationships, ask questions and spark new approaches to help grow a company’s talent pool.”
With the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting more jobs than unemployed people – a trend researchers first began noting in April, 2018 – talent professionals say creating opportunities for recruiters to reimagine talent acquisition is essential.
“HIRE offers an opportunity to learn together so we can lead together,” said Lynda Shafer, leader leader, leadership development, Greater Omaha Chamber; liaison, HIRE Conference. “Viewing today’s workforce trends as creating opportunities, rather than signaling an insurmountable crisis, is essential to moving talent forward in a positive way.”
Conference keynote speakers Tricia Tamkin and Jason Thibeault of Moore eSSentials invited attendees to up employee-relations skills by becoming “truly employee-focused organizations,” while breakout sessions advised professionals to “think critically about their goals” and execute hiring plans.
“This is the largest local conference for HR/recruiting professionals, and the only conference with a specific focus on recruiting and hiring,” said Mary Kyle, senior technical recruiting partner, First National Bank of Omaha and co-chair, HIRE conference.
Named the No. 2 “2019 Best Small City” in the nation by Resonance Consultancy, Omaha is a talent draw, and recruiters say they are ready for the opportunities talent brings, with plans for the 2020 HIRE Conference already underway.
“I’m excited to announce we have officially reserved July 30, 2020, for the 5th annual HIRE Conference,” said Jenilynn Sarka, senior talent acquisition specialist, American National Bank. “It’s an honor to serve as a co-chair for next year’s event and to continue the hard work and execution of the previous committee. I volunteered to be a co-chair because I strongly believe in the benefit of staying current with our industry trends and opening one’s mind to new learning opportunities.”
About the HIRE Conference
HIRE Conference is a program of community volunteers and the Greater Omaha Chamber, as well as event sponsor LinkedIn and supporting sponsors Aureus Group, CRi, HRAM, Ideal Payroll Service, JobAdder, Luma Services, Montage, MyStaff, Nebraska Business, OneSource and QAT Global.
About the Greater Omaha Chamber
The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration. This is accomplished by advocating for a strong business climate, creating opportunities for member visibility and business connections, pursuing investment and jobs for the region, strengthening leaders and enhancing the region’s brand and image.