There is something energizing about being surrounded by thousands of people who care deeply about the workplace, the people within it, and the role leaders play in helping organizations thrive.
That is exactly how I felt arriving at and leaving from #SHRM26 in Orlando.
Our team had an incredible experience exhibiting at the SHRM national conference this year. We met so many new colleagues, reconnected with familiar faces, and had meaningful conversations with HR leaders and business professionals who are ready to invest in stronger managers. I’m just bummed I didn’t get to see some of the amazing speakers that were on the stages. Thanks goodness for the 60 day virtual access!
The response to The Complete Manager Makeover® curriculum and the Management Mastery™ ongoing program was incredibly encouraging. So many people stopped by our booth with the same underlying concern: their managers need more support, more confidence, and more practical tools to lead their people well. A handful came to booth #4326 SPECIFICALLY to ask about our Training Solutions!
And that is why the message remains simple: #TrainYourManagers.
But SHRM26 was about much more than leads, meetings, books, and booth traffic. It was a powerful reminder that business is not meant to be built alone.
At HBL Resources, we talk often about Transforming the Human in Human Resources®. That message is not only about helping managers communicate with greater empathy, dignity, and accountability. It is also about the way we show up for one another as professionals, partners, colleagues, and members of our larger business community.
The strongest businesses are often built through relationships that go far beyond a transaction.
They are built when we make introductions, share resources, celebrate each other’s wins, create opportunities for collaboration, and genuinely want to see the people around us succeed. That was on full display for us throughout the conference.
We had the chance to reconnect with several valued resource partners, including EBG and their incredible TicketsatWork team, who hosted a wonderful @UniversalOrlandoResort experience and dinner for their partners. The evening was full of great conversation, laughter, connection, and yes, salmon with olive tapenade that I am still thinking about!
Of course, one of the greatest joys of the entire experience was having my team with me.
My husband, Mark Perez, and my daughter, Amanda Marie Velez, joined me in Orlando and supported HBL Resources every step of the way. They are two of the biggest champions of this business, and sharing the experience with them made it even more special. At the heart of it all is Jacqueline Velez who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure we show up on Brand and on message via our social media and various channels.
We worked hard, laughed a lot, and even enjoyed some time together at Universal Studios.
We also spent time visiting with @CorporateTraditions one of our trusted partners, and stopped by the Auris Payroll booth where I connected with my dear colleage Michael Ross The Payroll Champ. They had a wonderful setup and brought great energy to the conference, especially for what I believe was one of their first SHRM experiences. I’ll be looking for you at future SHRM Events!
I was also honored to sign many copies of The Complete Manager Makeover® for new colleagues who want to strengthen leadership within their organizations.
One of the highlights for me personally was meeting Rob Dubin in person for the first time. Robin has previously spoken on our #NationalManagementTrainingWeek stage several years ago, so knowing he was finally taking the SHRM National stage this year was especially exciting.
Those full-circle moments matter. They remind us that the relationships we build today may create opportunities, encouragement, and impact years down the road. Then there is Dr. Wendy Richard, SHRM-CP💡 who also spoke during SHRM26, he will also be joining our NMTW Stage this year and I can’t wait to have him! Let’s not forget the SOLD OUT Kelly Merbler session! Standing room only, but if you’ve ever seen Kelly go, you know that comes as no surprise!
We also visited with isolved one of our HCM partners, and I had the opportunity to join their Heroes of HR podcast. We connected with @HumanInterest, our 401(k) partner, as well.
Each of these interactions reinforced something I truly believe: partnerships work best when both organizations are committed to helping clients, employees, and communities thrive.
And because I am never too busy for a little Disney magic, I also made time for one of my favorite hobbies: Disney pin trading! After waiting and looking for more than 10 years, I finally found a pin I had hoped to add to my collection. It may seem like a small thing, but it was a reminder that some of the best moments come through patience, persistence, and being open to connection. It’s no wonder it’s called The Imagineer, I can certainly relate to having a dream that will make the world a better place.
Sometimes you find exactly what you have been looking for when you least expect it.
As I reflect on SHRM26, I am grateful for every new connection, every partner who made time to visit, every colleague who stopped to share a story, and every organization that reached out because they are ready to invest in their managers.
The work we do in Human Resources is deeply human. It requires relationships. It requires trust. It requires people who are willing to share ideas, extend a hand, open a door, and make room for one another to grow.
That is how we build stronger workplaces. That is how we support stronger businesses. And that is how we create communities where more people have the opportunity to thrive.
To everyone we met at SHRM26, thank you. I look forward to continuing the conversations, supporting your leadership development goals, and helping more organizations train their managers to lead with purpose. Hope to see you at SHRM27 in Chicago!
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