Recognised as one of the most important people management events in Asia, the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management’s (HKIHRM) two-day annual conference and exhibition 2018 is intended to help multigenerational HR practitioners remain at the forefront of industry change in the digital age.
With the theme “Human AR: Agility x Resilience – Connecting with the Future Workforce”, the conference and exhibition 2018 will take place on 27 and 28 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
Featuring a line-up of exceptional speakers including talent leaders and influencers, as well as highlighting successful initiatives that are on the cutting edge of leading innovative HR practices, the conference and exhibition will include stimulating panel discussions and extensive networking opportunities. There will also be a diverse mix of speakers and professionals from outside the HR profession. These include entrepreneurs and founders from start-up firms to established enterprises to share their different talent management experiences.
Alice Wong and Aileen Yu, co-chairpersons of the HKIHRM annual conference and exhibition 2018 organising committee, note that the fast-changing world of work and the fluctuating demands it places on employers and employees, the conference and exhibition will enable participants to pick up insights on how to adapt to a complex environment, and learn how to become more responsive, nimble and versatile – core strengths that can also be defined as being agile and resilient. “Participants will be able to meet face-to-face with academics, entrepreneurs and seasoned HR experts, and pose questions and learn about the latest best practices from high-profile speakers and thought leaders,” says Wong.
In addition to networking opportunities and concurrent sessions, which will examine cutting-edge issues as well as people management challenges in a changing world-of-work landscape, HR solution providers will showcase a wide range of frontline HR products and services including virtual reality and augmented reality in the exhibition area.
This year’s event builds on the success of and positive feedback from last year’s conference and exhibition, which focused on the impact of digitalisation and technology on the HR profession. The co-chairpersons explain that this year’s event will delve deeper into similar topics with increased emphasis on the most challenging aspects that HR professionals frequently encounter. For example, issues including technological disruption, digitally driven workplace transformation and ways to engage the workforce of a younger generation.
Wong and Yu believe the conference’s blend of innovative thinking and pragmatic advice about trends and real experiences will provide much for HR practitioners to tap into. Panel members representing a combination of traditional organisations and new enterprises, including technology and fintech firms, which in some cases are rewriting the talent management script, will outline their innovative approaches to employee management strategies, which enable quicker decision-making, accurate predictions and which equip professionals with the necessary tools to meet specific needs and goals.
With technology-driven change occurring at a faster pace and with greater intensity, the conference and exhibition will provide a prime opportunity for participants to interact with their peers to gain insights from those who face similar challenges and opportunities.
“The conference and exhibition is an excellent platform to learn from each other while the high quality of the speakers will further enhance the international perspectives of HR professionals,” says Wong. She also points out that the diverse range of speakers are recognised authorities in their different areas of business and HR expertise and distinguished for their inspiring ideas and practical approaches to delivering business and employee-centric insights and solutions.
Meanwhile, representing the HR leaders of tomorrow, young HR professionals will also share their experiences, values and career motivators. “From a generational perspective, we want to ensure the conference and exhibition meets the needs and expectations of multigenerational HR practitioners,” says Yu, who explains that the full organising committee members have contributed valuable suggestions to ensure the conference and exhibition is tailored to meet multigenerational interests and different levels of experience.
To highlight the increasing importance of corporate social responsibility for the HR community, as part of the HKIHRM’s Talent Development Scheme, corporate entities have been invited for the first time to sponsor HR and business students at local educational institutions to attend the conference, to broaden students’ horizons and enhance their professional development.
With employee career goals and work-life balance expectations playing a more prominent role in the employer-employee relationship, speakers will set out case studies and provide examples, ranging from gamification to corporate social responsibility initiatives, for boosting employee engagement. For instance, Dr Andy Chun, associate professor and former chief information officer at City University will outline the benefits and opportunities, as well as challenges and threats AI can bring to an organisation, particularly from a HR perspective.
As the co-chairpersons see it, when it comes to growing the capacity for resilience in the workplace, fostering good resilience skills provides employees with the tools and techniques to manage work and daily life pressures more effectively.
To address this significant issue, Guru Plenary session speaker, Dr Leonard Lane, board member, Fung Academy and adviser to the group chairman at Li & Fung, will provide useful insights into various ways to build and apply resilience skills among employees and HR professionals at the conference.
HKIHRM ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2018
