Welcome HR Gumbo! Take this time to check into the conference and get acquainted with the beautiful Higgins Hotel. 

Kick off HR Gumbo 2024 in style at our Welcome Reception! We invite you to join us and our exhibitors and sponsors for an unforgettable evening that encapsulates the spirit of New Orleans, setting the tone for an inspiring conference.

This reception is not just an event; it's your gateway to forging new connections, savoring local flavors, and experiencing the best of New Orleans' hospitality.

The Opening Jamboree sets the stage for the days ahead with an explosion of local flavor and flair. As you step into what HR Gumbo is about, you'll learn why we chose New Orleans as the perfect backdrop to discuss how HR, AAP, Pay Equity, and DEI are the ingredients for a high performing work culture. 

In the ever-evolving landscape of human resources, this Super Session is designed to equip attendees with the data insights needed to navigate the complex interplay of factors impacting affirmative action, pay equity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As we stand at the crossroads of societal shifts and regulatory changes, understanding these 'headwinds' and 'tailwinds' is more important than ever.

Government contractors have a legal obligation to engage in affirmative action in addition to ensuring equal opportunity in all facets of employment decision making, including hiring, promoting, terminating, and compensating. If we are committed to equity and inclusion, where do we go from here?

As organizations worldwide face scaled-down laws, shifting attitudes, and decreased investment in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), it becomes imperative to adapt and strengthen DEI initiatives. This session, "Resilient DEI Strategies: Navigating Pushback in a Changing Landscape," is designed to equip HR professionals, DEI officers, and organizational leaders with the knowledge and tools to sustain and advance DEI efforts under these challenging circumstances.

Step into the kitchen of OutSolve’s flavorful session, “The Roux: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.” Just as a well-prepared roux is essential for crafting the perfect gumbo, a carefully developed DEI strategy provides the foundational flavor and structure for a thriving organizational culture. This session invites attendees to explore the essential elements of DEI, much like the careful selection of ingredients and techniques in gumbo-making.

This session will guide participants through the process of conducting comprehensive annual pay equity audits, identifying disparities, and implementing corrective measures to ensure compliance with legal standards and best practices.

Learn to FLY in the altitude-raising presentation by former Army Black Hawk Pilot Elizabeth McCormick, #5 on the list of leadership experts to follow online, as she simplifies leadership principles into an immediately implementable business strategy. Elevate your workplace with a mission of excellence.

Through real world case studies and interactive workshopping this session will equip you with the fundamental knowledge and actionable steps to establish consistent pay practices that promote fairness, attract top talent, and boost your company's bottom line. 1) Grasp the core principles of pay equity and its importance in the workplace. 2) Identify common pay disparities and potential biases in compensation practices. 3) Gain practical guidance on developing and implementing sustainable pay equity practices.

Achieving strategic synergy between Affirmative Action Programs (AAP) and standard business operations is crucial for enhanced audit preparedness. This session explores the essential question, “What happens after the affirmative action plan is completed?” by delving into real-world scenarios that highlight the complexities of weaving compliance seamlessly into the daily fabric of business activities. Attendees will leave equipped with a toolkit of actions to enhance your audit preparedness and streamline the Affirmative Action Program (AAP) process from year to year. Led by experts, this session promises an engaging platform for learning and discussion. The presenters bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, offering insights into best practices and overcoming common AAP challenges.

Join John Fox, a seasoned connoisseur of employment law and OFCCP compliance, along with a select panel of legal professionals and HR sommeliers, for a cozy panel discussion. Attendees will enjoy a tasting menu of curated local wines as we pour through the nuances of regulations, sifting the sediment from the sublime, to reveal a clear, matured understanding of the future landscape. Our experts will uncork the complexities of OFCCP compliance, providing attendees with a refined understanding of how to navigate these changes effectively.

Cap off a day of insights and inspiration at Rosie's on the Roof, a favorite bar atop the roof of the Higgins Hotel. Enjoy food, cocktails and networking with your fellow attendees while enjoying breathtaking views of New Orleans.

This session will explore the transformative potential of AI to revolutionize hiring processes, alongside critical discussions on its limitations, inherent biases, and the ethical dilemmas it poses. AI promises efficiency and precision in identifying top talent but also brings challenges that organizations must navigate carefully. Stefan will provide a balanced view, illustrating how AI can lead to more informed decision-making and broader talent pools while also highlighting the risks of perpetuating biases and ethical concerns that can arise with unsupervised AI systems.

This session provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from companies that have successfully navigated the challenges of creating and implementing comprehensive OFCCP compliance, pay equity, and DEI efforts. Featuring leaders from the healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing sectors, each panelist will share their journey—from the initial recognition of need, through the development and implementation to the sustainable management of these initiatives, and at times, on a global scale.

This spicy session is directly related to the demands of the new OFCCP scheduling letter. Attendees will learn how to put their best ingredients forward without getting into hot water. This lab serves up recipes for making compliance gumbo that delivers without giving the auditor and you indigestion.

Unlock the power of data in driving your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives forward. Join us for an immersive activation lab, "HR Data Lab: Charting DEI Progress with Key Performance Indicators," where HR professionals will learn to identify, track, and analyze the right metrics to ensure their DEI efforts are not just meaningful but measurably impactful. This hands-on session is designed to transform your approach to DEI from aspirational to actionable, using data as your guide.

Flow Beyond Compliance with your Applicant Tracking for Talent Acquisition team members. Applicant flow log best practices, common pitfalls & mitigating risk. Attendees/Recruiters will have the opportunity to share their applicant tracking struggles and wins.

Fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace is critical to building a culture of inclusion, especially given the challenges of the current tight talent market. Yet research on belonging at work shows that underrepresented populations have a significantly lower feeling of belonging.

The go-to expert for networks including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and CBS on emergency and disaster preparedness, hurricanes, supply chain and crisis management, Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré helps organizations develop a culture of preparedness and initiates a mindset of problem-solving using strategies that create take-charge leaders.

In a two-part conference session, part one includes presenters walking attendees through applicant tracking requirements and common pitfalls. Part two entails practical advice on how contractors can integrate their OFCCP compliance through a focus on record retention; combined with systematic evaluations of contractor equal employment opportunity efforts.

Join us for an interactive and informative session aimed at shedding light on the complexities of pay equity through an engaging trivia format.

Happy Hour mixer honoring Veterans in the workplace.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the prestigious WWII Museum in New Orleans, proudly presented as a highlight of OutSolve’s HR Gumbo Conference. This exclusive event, dedicated to "Celebrating Veterans in the Workplace," promises an enriching experience that combines networking, entertainment, and heartfelt tributes to our veterans. Highlighting the night will be a special performance by the Victory Belles, bringing nostalgic tunes from the 1940s. This event is a unique opportunity to honor the contributions of veterans in our workplaces and communities.

Join K&L Gates partner and former OFCCP Director Craig Leen for an engaging and wide-ranging discussion on how to build inclusive workplaces that are welcoming to employees of all backgrounds, and that adhere to fundamental principles of disability inclusion and accessibility.