2024 marked the 61^st year of CPHR BC & Yukon’s annual HR Conference and Expo. Appropriately themed “Flourish”, this year’s event lived up it its moniker and then some.

With nearly 1500 people in attendance on site, another 200 registered for on-demand access, and 81 different exhibitors and sponsors, 22 of which were new exhibitors who decided to be a part of our 2024 Conference & Expo, this year’s event recorded the highest engagement levels ever.

One of the most striking takeaways from this year’s event was the realization that organizations are waking up to the fact that as they grow and scale, they need to have HR experts as part of their business and operational teams.

We kicked off the conference with an emotional keynote by Carolyn Stern, who talked about the value and importance of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and the significant value of EQ over IQ, highlighting the fact that EQ is 4 times more powerful than IQ. She busted some common myths and ended by taking us through the 5 R’s – recognizing the emotional state you are in, reflecting on it, regulating it, undertaking a reset, and finally responding when you are in a better state emotionally.

A variety of diverse concurrent sessions took place during the two-day conference, covering a range of topics impacting workplaces today. From the importance, value, and benefits of emotional vulnerability, to tools for embracing and applying the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, to how to prepare for and address unionization, to being agile and nimble as we gear up for the significant impacts of generative AI – one of the most significant disruptions to society in a very long time – there was something for everybody at this year’s Conference and Expo.

In a very open and transparent fireside chat, award-winning author Mohsin Zaidi shared the challenges he had to undergo as a gay, Pakistani-Muslim boy growing up in the UK – everything from bullying to how his mental health was impacted, to overcoming shame, to feeling at peace. He talked with CPHR BC & Yukon Chair, Naz Kullar, CPHR, about what intersectionality means to him, about living up to being who he is, being at one with that persona, and realizing that compartmentalization was not sustainable.

Lital Marom led off day two with a keynote session on the explosion of innovation in the last decade. She left us with some astounding insights such as ten years from now, 40% of Fortune 500 companies will no longer be operating. She talked at length about unicorns, and the fact that we are in the age of exponential growth where data is the new currency, and the future of work is about exponential and big thinking as opposed to linear thinking.

Kevin Rempel led the closing keynote with an inspiring personal story about overcoming adversity. He taught us to think about not only what our mindset is as we navigate change, but also who inspires us and who can we inspire. He reinforced the importance of mindsets not just for us, but for those around us. He emphasized resilience and its importance in helping one address the challenges one faces, as well as asking us to ask ourselves – when change happens, what will our mindsets be?

Being able to retain and engage employees and help them grow and develop, attract new talent, as well as thinking about the impact of technology, and striving to create an equitable workplace is a daunting task. However, events such as our Conference & Expo provide attendees with the opportunity to learn from each other, see that they are not alone, and come away with practical tips and tools they can use and apply in their respective organizations.

So, if you have been sitting on the sidelines about whether to attend, we urge you to act and sign-up for next year’s event when registration opens later this year in December. If this year’s event is anything to go by, you will benefit immensely – both for yourself and the organization you pour your heart and soul into!

View the Photos Here

Thank You

As the saying goes, “it takes a village”. Accordingly, CPHR BC & Yukon would first like to thank you, our delegates, for attending and participating in this year’s conference.

We hope you continue to nurture your new and renewed connections made during the two-day conference, and of course to maximize your CPD hours by taking in all parts of the conference by watching the recorded content on-demand.

Thank you to Kevin Lim, who entertained us as emcee throughout the event. Our deepest gratitude to all the speakers for the keynote and concurrent sessions for sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Thank you to Naz Kullar, CPHR, Chair, and the CPHR BC & Yukon Board of Directors for their dedication and commitment to ensuring we executed yet another successful conference.

Thank you also to Conference Chair, Michelle Precourt, CPHR, and the rest of the Conference Advisory Committee and Track Sub-Committee members for the countless hours of the time they contributed to building the program.

Thank you to our volunteers and entertainment providers for their outstanding work over the two-day in-person conference. Your support to us is invaluable!  

Thank you to our valued sponsors and exhibitors for your support of the event and the HR profession.

Thank you to our incredible suppliers that helped make this event possible: iilo Creative Alliance, Encore Canada, Vancouver Convention Centre, Levy Show Services, and PheedLoop. Thank you also to our other service providers and entertainers: Butter Studios, Rintzylee Designs, Soulful Indulgence, Blue Monkey Photobooth, Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, BBW International, John Gilliat, Francis Henson, Esther Hwang, DJ Barron S, and percussionist Pher, Dueling Pianos, Corporate Green, 4imprint, Promo Plus, HomePlates, The Printing House, and Wordly.

And last but certainly not least, thank you to the entire CPHR BC & Yukon team, particularly to Conference Manager Jessica Ng, and to Annie Wong, Events Specialist, for all their hard work and efforts to put together our conference and creating an event experience that delegates really appreciated.

The 2025 HR Conference & Expo will take place on April 29 & 30, 2025. We hope to see you there!

Please feel free to check out the CPHR BC & Yukon Facebook Page for photos from this year’s HR Conference & Expo.

Reminder, access to all the recorded sessions of the conference will be available to registered delegates between May 9 and July 8, 2024.  

Sponsors

For more information on our sponsors, we encourage you to visit their websites.

Platinum Sponsors

• Chartered Professional Accountants of BC
• HUB International
• UKG
• Western Compensation & Benefits Consultants Ltd.

Gold Sponsors

• BCIT School of Business + Media
• Dayforce
• Desjardins Insurance
• Harris & Company LLP
• Perkopolis
• Roper Greyell LLP
• Talent Harbour
• WELL Health Medical & Longevity Centres
• Workday

Silver Sponsors

• ADP Canada
• Envoy Global
• Equitable
• HRWize
• Humi
• Lindsay Kenney LLP

Bronze Sponsors

• AMJ Campbell International
• British Columbia Chiropractic Association
• FSEAP Vancouver
• Gameplan HR
• Homewood Health
• Royal Roads University
• Service Now
• TeksMed Services Inc.
• UBC Sauder School of Business
• University Canada West
• University of Calgary Continuing Education