Welcome!
You are invited to attend the 2025 Ohio HR Conference - Animate HR: From Concept to Creation!
Join us on September 24-26, 2025 for the 53rd annual Ohio HR Conference. Sponsored by the Ohio SHRM State Council, the conference provides robust programming, a great line up of speakers, opportunities for networking with other HR professionals from around the state, and time with exhibitors and sponsors in the exhibit hall.
Our conference theme is ANIMATE HR: From Concept to Creation and our hope is that you'll get your creative juices flowing as we create numerous learning opportunities to expand your knowledge and expertise in human resources from numerous keynote speakers and over 30 concurrent sessions from which to choose!
Although not confirmed, we expect over 30 hours of recertification credit from both SHRM and HRCI. In addition, attendees will have the ON DEMAND option to view any missed sessions.
All of this for a conference registration price of just $ 749 (until June 30, 2025.
Thank you and I can't wait to see you in September!
Robert Palmer
2025 Ohio HR Conference Chair
Speaker Announcements!
Austin J. Franklin
More About Austin J. Franklin
Austin J. Franklin is a renowned keynote speaker, author, and leadership expert. He is also the CEO and Co-founder of Good-Natured Life. The company was established in 2015 when he was 20 years old and a junior at Hampden-Sydney College. The mission of the company is to spread kindness, friendliness, and patience (KFP) and to uplift minds across the world.
Drawing on his insights from consulting with many leaders, extensive research, and an exceptional educational background, Austin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the stage. He completed Harvard Business School's prestigious pre-MBA program and earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Rollins College's Crummer Graduate School of Business.
Austin is committed to empowering leaders to unlock their team's potential and to cultivating a thriving, future-ready workplace. His transformative keynote speeches have inspired thousands of leaders across the globe. At just 29, Austin was the keynote speaker for the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR) Summit Induction Ceremony. This is a prestigious group that includes many of the biggest Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies in the world. Also, he has been invited to conduct leadership trainings for numerous executives and leadership teams including those in healthcare, education, transportation, hospitality, law, construction, and government. ??
Recognized as a beacon of inspiration and a thought leader in his field, Austin J. Franklin has served as a three-time commencement speaker, named one of Florida Black Expo's Top 20 Under 40, and was named as a "Leader Under 40 Changing Lives" as a Community Pearls Award recipient. Franklin is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Leadership Jacksonville - Next Generation, and he actively contributes to his community by serving as an Advisory Board Member for the Johnson Family YMCA in Jacksonville, Florida.
Val Grubb
The Ohio HR Conference is thrilled to announce that Val Grubb will be both a KEYNOTE SPEAKER and an EXECUTIVE TRACK SPEAKER.
Val shared a welcome video for our attendees. Click HERE to learn more about VAL GRUBB.
Val's Keynote Address is "Leading the Future of Work: HR's Playbook for Staying Ahead." The future of work is evolving at lightning speed, reshaping how organizations operate and thrive. As HR leaders, it's no longer enough to adapt—you must lead the charge, driving innovation and shaping the workforce of tomorrow. In this dynamic program, you'll gain actionable insights and practical strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
"Think Big, Speak Bold: 8 Steps to Communicate at the Executive Level," is Val Grubb's Executive Track Session.
To lead at the highest levels, you must think and communicate like an executive. Yet, many professionals get stuck in the details, missing opportunities to showcase their strategic value. Transitioning from tactical execution to big-picture leadership is essential for earning trust, influencing decisions, and driving organizational success.
Benjamin McCall
The Ohio HR Conference is ready to announce that Benjamin McCall as a PRE-CONFERENCE Workshop Speaker as well as a Concurrent Speaker
Benjamin's Pre-Conference session is "Mapping Your Blueprint: Moving from Current to Future State in HR." This short but dynamic workshop will work to equip HR and Operational professionals with needed insights to navigate the evolving landscape of HR for 2026. We'll delve into the current state of the HR function, exploring key challenges, and identifying emerging trends. Through interaction, exercises, and discussion, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how to reimagine your talent efforts, develop talent effectively, and influence leadership to drive meaningful change. You will start to outline your roadmap for moving your HR strategies into actionable plans that empower your organization to thrive in the future of work.
"Evaluating Your Blueprint: What's at Stake to be Future Ready for HR in 2026," is Benjamin McCall's concurrent session. This session is where we will ask you to consolidate key takeaways from the week and look ahead to 2026. In this interactive workshop, HR and operational pros will engage in discussions about the evolving landscape of HR. We will attempt to critique anticipated challenges and initiatives to navigate what comes next. Attendees can expect to translate their learnings into practical steps and gain a clear understanding of how the current landscape will impact their HR future state.
Our Call for Speakers is open!
Our call for speakers is open and please consider submitting your presentation materials for the 2025 Ohio HR Conference.
Submitting your information is easy by using our online form. All presentations submitted will be considered by our programming committee, and we'll keep you informed about the decision process along the way.
2025 Conference Registration Prices
Conference Registration rates
Membership has its perks!
| Rate/Type | SHRM AND/OR Local Chapter Members** | No Afilliation | Retired | In-transition | Undergraduate Students | Graduate Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/1/2025 to 6/30/2025 | $749 | $799 | $225 | $225 | $200 | $225 |
| 7/1/2025 TO 8/31/2025 | $839 | $899 | $225 | $225 | $200 | $225 |
| 9/1/2025 until the conference | $869 | $929 | $225 | $225 | $200 | $225 |
** SHRM Membership number and/or local chapter affiliation is required for discounted pricing.