A suggested gift for a fifth anniversary is wood.  It represents strength and a solidified relationship; its strong and long-lasting.  One recommended way to celebrate a fifth anniversary is to purchase tickets to a show, movie, sports event, concert, theatre, etc.

Well, HRevolution will be celebrating its fifth iteration October 7th with a return engagement to Chicago (home of the 2nd HRevolution unconference).  Like wood, the HRevolution event has grown from a small kernel of an idea to become one of the must attend HR conferences of the year; one whose branches extend far beyond the one day happening.   Its the little acorn that became the oak.   It is not only a great way to be on the cutting edge of HR knowledge, but it also provides an excellent opportunity to grow your professional network.  

In addition, as with the previous incarnation, the HRevolution crew are once again partnering with the HR Technology Conference.   By purchasing a ticket to HREvolution, you can get a $600 discount to attend HR Tech, which begins October 8.

So, come celebrate our 5th anniversary by joining us on October 7.  Details can be found here.  And, for the first 25 attendees who sign up, you can get a $50 discount off the already small registration fee.

Hope to see you in Chicago!

In the Fall of 2009, I went to the first HREvolution in Louisville, KY not sure of what to expect.  I had met only one attendee in person prior to the event.   I had read many of the attendees blogs or seen them on Twitter, but my interaction was minimal.   However, as an educator, I wanted to be sure that the information my students were receiving was as current and cutting edge as possible before they entered the workplace.

In the months and years since the 1st HREvolution, the dividends I've earned from attending would make an Apple investor green with envy.  I could wax poetic about the content that has been provided year in and year out.   But, its the people and the connections made that have been the real payoff, both professionally and personally.  Since attending the 1st HREvolution:

• I've been asked to contribute to an e-book on training
• I've collaborated on the first of a hoped-to-be annual volume on the intersection of sports and HR called "The 8 Man Rotation"
• I've appeared on both the HR Happy Hour and Drive Thru HR several times
• I've collaborated with an attendee on an incentive compensation research project
• I've been invited to attend the NBA Summer League (which both family considerations, and the NBA lockout have prevented me from going)
• I've been asked to help organize HREvolution - Las Vegas

In addition, I have shared many meals, laughs, and conversation both on and offline with many of the attendees.  I know that if I had a HR question, I could pick up the phone and any number of the people I have met would be more than willing to provide the advice and guidance  I needed.

The cost of registration was (and is) small and I would gladly pay three times its listed cost as the results have been priceless.

If the above hasn't convinced you to attend, please note the special deal that is being offered in conjunction with the HR Technology Conference.  While there are a lot of $500 discounts being floated out in the Twitterverse, by registering for BOTH  HR Tech AND HREvolution, you get the biggest discount available...$600 off the registration for HR Tech.   That means attending HREvolution will only cost you an additional $50.  I am so confident that you will find HREvolution worthwhile, that if you register for both events and find yourself dissatisfied with HREvolution, I will personally refund you that extra $50.  So, register for HREvolution here and I hope to see you in Las Vegas