I was asked to attend the 11th Annual Talent Management Summit in Las Vegas (at my own expense) and to live blog from the conference — much like I did from the SHRM convention.
I didn’t jump at the opportunity. I like the idea of hanging out with HR Wench and HR Minion, but I am not excited about spending my own time and money on conferences or conventions — especially after my craptacular experiences not interviewing Sidney Poitier at the SHRM 2008 Convention.
I sat on the email request for a few days and decided to accept based on the agenda presented on the website. I also accepted the invitation because it will be yet another opportunity for HR Wench and I to plan our world domination (using laser cats, of course).
Here’s the kind of cool part: I’ll be attending the Zappos facility tour, which is interesting because I blogged about Zappos and their pay-to-quit program. I’m going to find Tony Hsieh, who is the CEO of Zappos, and ask if I can be put on the fast-track program so I can be paid to quit, too. (I’m sure people ask him this all of the time.) I’d like the program to be fast enough so I can use the money on the Wheel of Fortune slots before the Talent Management Summit ends. Hey, maybe they can pay me not to apply?
Seriously, punk rockers, I want you to know that I will not be paid to write about this endeavor. (I know, I know. We’re all disappointed — especially the punk rock husband.) The coordinator from IQPC will put a link to my blog on the event website, which is the extent of my compensation.
I am attending this summit because of my meta-interest in the business behind the business of HR. I will bring you the behind-the-scenes gossip from the Talent Management Summit, and I promise it will be more interesting than a 90 second video about swag!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Admit it- you’re going because it’s in Vegas.
There’s a good chance I’ll be there too. Can I hang with you and HR Wench and eavesdrop on your plan for world domination?
OMG, I am over Vegas. I was married there!!
Now I’m all paranoid that people will think I’m being paid to go (I’M NOT).
I’ve only been to Vegas once. I’m not over it, yet. I mean, I just can’t get over the fact that you can go into any casino, sit at a penny slot machine and get a free drink. I mean, that is just the best thing ever invented.
Funny, when I went to Vegas what I really wanted to see were all the animal exhibits. Screw the Bellagio fountain and all that jazz – where are those darn white tigers?!! RAWR!
I think you found your niche! You can just travel the country, attend and blog about HR trade shows. You can be like that kung-fu guy from the 70s that just walks around the country and gets into adventures.
There is absolutely no logical reason for me to attend – the workshops aren’t exactly designed for lowly HR assistant types – but one of the most revered Thai restaurants in the country is in Vegas (Lotus of Siam). Slots, meh. Kick-ass Thai food, that rocks! I’d love to do the Zappos.com tour, too. Sigh. Oh well.
Must live vicariously through the Punkatrarian/Wenchian/Minionesque reports.
(wish we gotten married in Vegas – it would have been more romantic than the lurking beige concrete monolith of a county courthouse, complete with criminal trials and metal detectors and a wedding room with a huge picture window overlooking the building’s air conditioning system)
@hrwench I don’t think anyone really thinks we’re getting paid. We’re in HR. We are the last to advocate for our own compensation. (PS – I’m not over Vegas, either. The jittery compulsive gambling will kick in once I land.)
@Bryan What a glamorous life, right?
@perrik My wedding video is from a security camera and shows my BFF, A.Lo, with her legs spread wide open — while wearing a skirt. If that’s not classy, you don’t know class!
Love to hear how it compares to the SHRM conference… be honest, it’s not all about Sidney, right?
I look foward to attending. Topic of interest to me is deliberate practice. This is new area that expouses that practice-not experience-leads to expertise. I think it is fasinating as it applies to the concept of great leadership.