HR West Review: Is It Worth Attending?
Among the many conferences in the United States each year, HR West is one of the largest on the West Coast. Usually taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area, the conference has always been focused on what’s next for the world of HR.
Each year, HR professionals from across the world attend the conference to discuss the future of human resources. The idea behind the conference is not to have an extremely large conference but to have a conference big enough to interest major parties while letting people network and connect with one another.
Despite that, the conference sees a heavy presence of big names in the industry each year and a solid response.
HR West 2025
The 2025 HR West conference was held from March 11 to March 12 at the Oakland Marriott City Center in Oakland, California.
With more than 1,000 participants and over 70 speaker sessions, the conference also earns you credits for certain certifications.
About HR West Conference
The HR West conference, hosted by the Next Concept HR Association (NCHRA), has been an annual event for over 36 years. It is held in the general San Francisco area so that people from leading Silicon Valley companies can attend.
Being an HR practitioner requires you to remain current with employment law, human capital requirements, HCM software, employment screening resources, and other HR concepts.
The event is for any HR professional looking to expand their skill set and face the challenging issues in HR. These HR professionals include attendees like HR managers, HR executives, HR business partners, Vice Presidents of companies, and several others with a range of expertise.
HR West 2025 Speakers
The official list of speakers for HR West 2025 has not yet been released.
HR West 2025 will feature over 80 informative sessions led by industry experts and thought leaders, covering seven key tracks: HR Tech, HR Strategy, Talent, Legal and Compliance, Health, Wellness, Benefits, Leadership, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
What You Can Expect from HR West Conferences
The HR West conference always focuses on the biggest challenges and issues in HR, including several schools of thought, and tackles diverse approaches while empowering forward-thinking dialogue.
The presenters are there to help you gain valuable industry insights and information on new tools & resources and give you a peek into the latest workplace research & results.
As an attendee, you can also help introduce new strategies for globalization, leadership culture, workplace technologies, employee engagement, employee turnover, and more.
The entire conference is based on the following pillars.
The Human Resources ‘Un’ Conference
The idea behind HR West is not to have a big expo hall with a large stage but rather a collaborative event that focuses on individuals and participants. The event is large enough to attract HR leaders from all over while being small enough so everyone can make proper and meaningful connections.
The conference also provides food, parking, and hotel services under the same roof.
Comprehensive Learning Opportunities
The HR West conference has over 70 concurrent sessions on different topics, with many dedicated to recertification credit. There are also tracks for law and legislation, culture, employee relations, engagement and retention, talent development, strategy and leadership, talent acquisition and management, communication and related topics, and compensation and benefits.
Attending the conference can earn you up to 14 HRCI and SHRM PDCs credits, divided into Business Credits, California Credits, and Global Credits.
Furthermore, you can learn how to become certified from SPHRs and SHRM-SCP-certified professionals (even from sites like hr.com).
How Can I Register for Future HR West Conferences?
If you want to apply for the following HR West conference, you can do so at hrwest.org. The site will be updated with the 2021 conference details by August 2021.
Should I Attend Next Year’s West Conference?
Whether you should attend the next West conference or not depends on a of factors. First off, it’s wise to take a look at other conferences (such as Culture Summit or SHRM Conference) that take place throughout the year.
Aside from that, you should keep in mind that the HR West conference provides credits for certifications, so it might be a good idea to attend in that regard. Also, if you’re based on the West Coast, HR West might as well be your best choice as an HR conference.
In the end, it’s about your goals, where you live, whether you can afford it, and what you can get from the conference in deciding whether you want to attend the conference.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about HR West.
What Makes HR West Stand Out as an Event for HR Professionals?
HR West is renowned for providing amazing HR education that caters to professionals at all levels. The event offers cutting-edge insights, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities designed to elevate your knowledge and skills in human resources. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned expert, HR West delivers content that keeps you ahead in a constantly evolving industry.
How Does HR West Help Improve Employee Performance?
HR West emphasizes actionable strategies and tools to enhance workplace performance. With sessions led by industry leaders, you’ll gain insights into topics such as employee engagement, talent development, and performance management systems. These learnings can be directly applied to your organization to drive measurable improvements.
Why Should I Attend HR West for Professional Growth?
Attending HR West is an investment in your career. The event provides not only amazing HR education but also opportunities to network with top HR professionals. You’ll leave with new strategies and ideas that will enhance your performance in your role and help you achieve long-term career success.
Can HR West Benefit My Organization as a Whole?
Absolutely. By attending HR West, you gain practical knowledge that can transform your workplace dynamics and boost overall performance. From compliance updates to innovative leadership techniques, the takeaways are valuable for implementing positive change across your organization.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into a HR role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft a great HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.
