Welcome to HR Gumbo! Take this time to check into the conference and get acquainted with the beautiful Higgins Hotel. 

Kick off HR Gumbo 2024 in style at our Welcome Reception! We invite you to join us and our exhibitors and sponsors for an unforgettable evening that encapsulates the spirit of New Orleans, setting the tone for an inspiring conference.

The Opening Jamboree sets the stage for the days ahead with an explosion of local flavor and flair. As you step into what HR Gumbo is about, you'll learn why we chose New Orleans as the perfect backdrop to discuss how HR, AAP, Pay Equity, and Inclusion are the ingredients for a high performing work culture. 

In the ever-evolving landscape of human resources, this Super Session is designed to equip attendees with the insights needed to navigate the complex interplay of factors impacting affirmative action, pay equity, and workplace culture. As we stand at the crossroads of societal shifts, the election, and regulatory changes, understanding these 'headwinds' and 'tailwinds' is more important than ever.

Government contractors have a legal obligation to engage in affirmative action in addition to ensuring equal opportunity in all facets of employment decision making, including hiring, promoting, terminating, and compensating. If we are committed to equity and inclusion, where do we go from here?

Flow Beyond Compliance with your Applicant Tracking for Talent Acquisition team members. Applicant flow log best practices, common pitfalls & mitigating risk. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their applicant tracking struggles and wins.

In the unique and challenging world of solo HR, navigating the road alone requires not just a map, but the skills to drive through ever-changing terrain. This session is your opportunity to get behind the wheel and steer your organization towards success with precision and confidence. This session is tailored for those who operate as an HR department of one, or for those who find themselves managing HR responsibilities solo. Join us as we explore the critical 'Three A's'—Assessment, Action, and Attitude—that every solo HR practitioner must adeptly navigate to fuel their journey towards operational excellence.

This session will guide participants through the process of conducting comprehensive annual pay equity audits, identifying disparities, and implementing corrective measures to ensure compliance with legal standards and best practices.

Learn to FLY in this altitude-raising presentation by former Army Black Hawk Pilot Elizabeth McCormick, as she simplifies leadership principles into an immediately implementable business strategy. She teaches from her professional life, sharing stories about her time as a Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot and Chief Warrant Officer 2 for the US Army. She will help you elevate your workplace with a mission of excellence.

Through real world case studies and interactive workshopping this session will equip you with the fundamental knowledge and actionable steps to establish consistent pay practices that promote fairness, attract top talent, and boost your company's bottom line. 1) Grasp the core principles of pay equity and its importance in the workplace. 2) Identify common pay disparities and potential biases in compensation practices. 3) Gain practical guidance on developing and implementing sustainable pay equity practices.

Achieving strategic synergy between Affirmative Action Programs (AAP) and standard business operations is crucial for enhanced audit preparedness. This session explores the essential question, “What happens after the affirmative action plan is completed?” by delving into real-world scenarios that highlight the complexities of weaving compliance seamlessly into the daily fabric of business activities. Attendees will leave equipped with a toolkit of actions to enhance your audit preparedness and streamline the Affirmative Action Program (AAP) process from year to year. Led by experts, this session promises an engaging platform for learning and discussion. The presenters bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, offering insights into best practices and overcoming common AAP challenges.

Join John Fox, a seasoned connoisseur of employment law and OFCCP compliance, will be joined by compliance consultant, Candee Chambers, for a cozy discussion. Attendees will enjoy a tasting of wines as we pour through the nuances of regulations, sifting the sediment from the sublime, to reveal a clear, matured understanding of the future landscape of HR Compliance. Our experts will uncork the complexities of OFCCP compliance along with a side of charcuterie, providing attendees with a refined understanding of how to navigate these changes effectively.

Cap off a day of insights and inspiration at Rosie's on the Roof, a favorite bar atop the roof of the Higgins Hotel. Enjoy food, cocktails and networking with your fellow attendees while enjoying breathtaking views of New Orleans.

Join Stefan Youngblood, a seasoned expert in leveraging technology for business enhancement, as he delves into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in talent acquisition. This session will explore the transformative potential of AI to revolutionize hiring processes, alongside critical discussions on its limitations, inherent biases, and the ethical dilemmas unsupervised AI systems pose.

Unlock the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to foster a more inclusive workplace for people with disabilities (PWD) at the HR Gumbo conference. Join us for "The AI Black Box," a pivotal session that explores how inclusive data sets can revolutionize AI applications in HR, breaking down barriers and opening up new opportunities for PWD inclusion

Step into the HR Gumbo Solutions Showcase Room, where we’ve cooked up a flavorful mix of innovative solutions designed to spice up your HR and compliance strategies for 2025 and beyond! 

This spicy session is directly related to the demands of the new OFCCP scheduling letter. Attendees will learn how to put their best ingredients forward without getting into hot water. This lab serves up recipes for making compliance gumbo that delivers without giving the auditor and you indigestion.

Unlock the power of data in driving your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives forward. Join us for an immersive activation lab, where HR professionals will learn to identify, track, and analyze the right metrics to ensure their DEI efforts are not just meaningful but measurably impactful. This hands-on session is designed to transform your approach to DEI from aspirational to actionable, using data as your guide.

Step into the kitchen of this flavorful session, “The Roux: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.” Just as a well-prepared roux is essential for crafting the perfect gumbo, a carefully developed DEI strategy provides the foundational flavor and structure for a thriving organizational culture. This session invites attendees to explore the essential elements of DEI, much like the careful selection of ingredients and techniques in gumbo-making.

Fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace is critical to building a culture of inclusion, especially given the challenges of the current tight talent market. Yet research on belonging at work shows that underrepresented populations have a significantly lower feeling of belonging.

The go-to expert for networks including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and CBS on emergency and disaster preparedness, hurricanes, supply chain and crisis management, Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré helps organizations develop a culture of preparedness and initiates a mindset of problem-solving using strategies that create take-charge leaders.

In a two-part conference session, part one includes presenters walking attendees through applicant tracking requirements and common pitfalls. Part two entails practical advice on how contractors can integrate their OFCCP compliance through a focus on record retention; combined with systematic evaluations of contractor equal employment opportunity efforts.

Join us for an interactive and informative session aimed at shedding light on the complexities of pay equity through an engaging trivia format.

Just as crafting the perfect gumbo requires a delicate balance of ingredients and timing, navigating the complexities of employment law demands a similar blend of precision and skill. Join Kathlyn Perez, founder of Perez Law LLC, as she stirs up a rich mix of legal insights and strategies in this unique session designed to help you avoid the common pitfalls of federal, state, and local employment laws and effectively handle workplace complaints. With a seasoned palate for legal intricacies and a flair for engaging delivery, Kathlyn will guide you through the essential components of building a compliant workplace. This session will simmer through the layers of employment law, offering you the recipes for blending statutory requirements with best practices to create a harmonious work environment.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the prestigious WWII Museum in New Orleans, proudly presented as a highlight of OutSolve’s HR Gumbo Conference. This exclusive event, dedicated to "Celebrating Veterans in the Workplace," promises an enriching experience that combines networking, entertainment, and heartfelt tributes to our veterans. Highlighting the night will be a special performance by the Victory Belles, bringing nostalgic tunes from the 1940s. This event is a unique opportunity to honor the contributions of veterans in our workplaces and communities.

Join us for a dynamic Super Session featuring former EEOC Commissioner Keith E. Sonderling, alongside HR analysts and podcasters Chad & Cheese, as they dive into how upcoming election results may influence regulatory priorities and enforcement actions. In this time of political influx, this session will equip you with valuable insights to help you stay compliant, no matter the outcome. You’ll also get the latest updates on regulatory changes and enforcement surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in all areas of human resources.

Join K&L Gates partner and former OFCCP Director Craig Leen for an engaging and wide-ranging discussion on how to build inclusive workplaces that are welcoming to employees of all backgrounds, and that adhere to fundamental principles of disability inclusion and accessibility.

This session provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from companies that have successfully navigated the challenges of creating and implementing comprehensive OFCCP compliance, pay equity, and DEI efforts. Featuring leaders from healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing sectors, each panelist will share their journey—from the initial recognition of need, through the development and implementation to the sustainable management of these initiatives, and at times, on a global scale.