"Tapping Into Talent" will be held at the Hickory Metro Convention Center on Tuesday, May 22nd.. The goal is to bring together business leaders and human resources professionals to share ideas and best practices, while showcasing local resources and new ways of recruiting and developing talent in the Greater Hickory Metro.
Tapping Into Talent Symposium: Think Outside the Box
8:30-9:00AM - Registration & Breakfast
Sponsored by: Labor Connections, LLC
9:00-10:00AM - General Session
Skills That Pay The Bills...and Redefine Success
Peyton Holland, Executive Director, SkillsUSA North Carolina
10:05-10:20AM - Networking Break
10:25-11:15AM - Breakout Sessions
Catawba Room 1: Tapping Into Your Current Employees
Sponsored by: Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A.
Come hear from three companies how they are reaching out to their existing employees with new opportunities that both address open positions and improve employee retention.
Panelists: Charlie Trefzger, President & CEO of Affinity Living Group; John Bray, Chairman/CEO of Vanguard Furniture; Tammy Smith, VP, Human Resources of Vanguard Furniture; David Hartsoe, Strategic Learning Consultant
Catawba Room 2: Tapping the Next Generation Through Work Experience
Sponsored by: Lenoir Rhyne University
Come learn how work experiences can attract the next generation of employees through apprenticeship, internship, and work based learning.
Panelists: Peter Rumswinkel, President and CEO Sarstedt Inc., Jim Studdard, Director of Operations Tenowo, Inc., Mark Story, CEO K-64, Jean Lane, Coordinator of Work Based Learning Catawba Valley Community College, Keisha Ramseur, Camp and Retreat Director at Camp Dogwood School for the Blind, and Lindsey Koch, apprentice with Tenowo, Inc.
11:25AM-12:15PM - Breakout Sessions
Catawba Room 1: Tapping into Transitioning Veterans
Sponsored by: Woodmen Life
Between 2015 and 2018, 78,000 service members will transition out of the military through NC?s DoD installations, adding strength to the 778,000 veterans already living in North Carolina. Hear from several North Carolina businesses effectively identifying and hiring qualified military candidates to fill critical talent requirements.
Presented by: Paul Bill, Veteran Employment Director, Veterans Bridge Home
Catawba Room 2: Best Practice Sharing - 50 Ideas in 50 Minutes
Sponsored by: The Par Group
Spend valuable time with peers comparing notes, uncovering untapped resources, and brainstorming innovative ideas around attracting, retaining and developing your organization's workforce. |
Moderated by: Lindsay Keisler, President/CEO, Catawba County Chamber of Commerce
12:30-1:30PM - Lunch & General Session
Sponsored by Western Carolina University
Kevin A. Trapani, Chairman, NCWorks Commission
1:40-2:30PM - Breakout Sessions
Catawba Room 1: Diversifying Your Talent Pipeline
What does it mean to attract, engage, develop and retain diverse talent? Attend this session to learn how you can best leverage the diverse talents, skills and perspectives of all employee groups for advanced business achievement.
Presented by: Dedra Flournoy, Vice President of Human Resources; Merchants Distributors, Inc.
Catawba Room 2: Forgotten Pipelines of Talent
Sponsored by: Your Work Choice
Featuring companies who have successfully found talent in groups typically underrepresented in the manufacturing labor force - including recent retirees, part-time/working mothers, or individuals with disabilities.
Panelists: Kevin Little, Project ReEntry Coordinator, Goodwill NWNC; Rick Murphy, Business Relations Representative of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
2:35-2:50PM - Networking Break
2:55-3:25PM - General Session
Tapping Into Your Partners: One of the most important sessions of the day. Make sure you're fully utilizing your community partners - the Catawba Chamber, Catawba EDC and Catawba Valley Community College to support and augment your efforts in recruiting, retaining and developing talent. Allow us to share some upcoming opportunities and share with us your insight.
3:30PM - Closing Remarks & Adjourn
Thank you to our sponsors:
Lunch Sponsor: Western Carolina University
Breakfast Sponsor: Labor Connections, LLC
Break-Out Sponsor: Lenoir-Rhyne University, Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A., The Par Group, Woodmen Life and The Work Choice