Paid Attendance Up By 20% at IHRIMís 25th Annual HR Systems and Technology Conference

Burlington, MA - Even before IHRIMís 25th Annual Conference officially began on Sunday, May 2 in Reno, it was clear from the attendance at the Professional Development Seminars on Saturday that overall attendance would be significantly up from last year. Post-conference tallies indicated that much of the increase came from practitioners employed by Fortune 1000 companies. Unlike like some HR events, IHRIMís conference has always been a strong attraction for HR technology practitioners and systems decision-makers.

From the keynote addresses by former Southwest Airlines CEO Howard Putnam and international speaker, author and entertainer, Bob Garner to the excitement and new technology featured on the exposition floor, attendees had no problem finding plenty of activities to fill the three-day event. Many of the educational sessions (more than 50 to choose from) were ìstanding room onlyî and covered such timely topics as: Strategy and Service Delivery, Selection and Implementation, Post-Implementation and Lifecycle Maintenance, Innovative Uses of Technology, Professional Development, and Outsourcing.

In the exposition hall, there was a 12% increase in vendor booths this year and attendee traffic was consistent throughout each day, plus there was an 86% increase in vendor sponsorships. Looking forward to IHRIMís 2006 conference and expo, more than 20% of this yearís exhibitors have already signed up.

A particular highlight of this 25th annual conference was the presentation of the IHRIM Chairmanís Award to Dave Duffield, founder and former CEO of PeopleSoft. It was significant that Mr. Duffield used the occasion to announce that he is in the process of starting a new venture. While the full details of his companyís plans are yet to come, he acknowledged that ìtoday feels very much like the early days of PeopleSoft ñ we feel the world is ready for something new. Itís time to deliver on promises that werenít fulfilled in previous systems.î

Many of IHRIMís long-time members attended the 25-year celebration, but for many attendees this was their first IHRIM conference. IHRIM co-founder and past board chairman Bob Stambaugh remarked, ìThere was a genuine excitement at this conference ñ a feeling that there were many new and revolutionary HR technology solutions right around the corner. And, it was wonderful to see all the new members. Thereís no doubt that the IHRIM Conference is the HR technology íboot campí and a ëmustí to attend.î

Distributed by HR Marketer.com