How to make the most of HR conferences, communities, & collaboration in 2024

2023 was another booming year for HR conferences. 3,500 HR professionals descended on Transform; 5,000 rocked up to Unleash; a dizzying 18,000 walked the floor at SHRM.

Smaller, local summits and events for disciplines within the HR and People profession also flourished. Within people analytics, for example, which has a strong tradition of community events, there were people analytics meet-ups across New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, the Bay Area, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh to name a few – and judging by the number of packed-out selfies that made their way onto LinkedIn, they were a hit.

The community spirit is, in principle, strong and alive in HR.

But how often do these meetings end with someone saying something along the lines of “We should do this more often!”? Or “Let’s carry this conversation on over email.” Or “I actually know someone who could really help you out with that.” Days, weeks, and months pass, and the conversation inevitably fizzles out.