HR Conference Sparks Dialogue Across Divides

SHRM's live debate between ideological opposites demonstrates how conferences are the ideal platform for dialogue

View in browser Unsubscribe Thursday October 30, 2025 Diversity and Inclusion   Andrea Doyle Executive Editor Envato Event Cancellations Mount as Government Shutdown Continues The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is disrupting conferences and trade shows nationwide. Attendance is dropping, travel is delayed, and events, especially those involving government participation, are being canceled or scaled back. Diversity and Inclusion   Andrea Doyle Executive Editor SHRM HR Conference Sparks Dialogue Across Divides At a time when DEI is increasingly politicized, HR association SHRM's live debate between ideological opposites demonstrates how conferences are the ideal platform for essential, and sometimes uncomfortable, dialogue that digital platforms cannot replicate.   Webinar       Sustainability Insights from TED Join Shawna McKinley, principal at Clear Current Consulting and Kyle Shearer, director of event operations at TED, at 11am ET on November 13 as we explore how TED has transformed sustainability into a core operational value, rethinking food systems, materials, travel, and community partnerships, while setting new industry benchmarks. This live webinar is sponsored by Caesars Entertainment. Register Now Meetings Innovators   Miguel Neves Editor-in-Chief Ruud Janssen Turns Complexity Into Clarity Through Collaborative Event Design Ruud Janssen wants the tool he co-created to be so impactful it becomes anonymous, and synonyms with encoding great event design. He believes true innovation is about simplifying complexity and getting people to work together and urges all event designers to leave their ego at the door. Budgeting & Cost Savings   Barbara Scofidio Editor Charles Falsetti @chuck_fuu_ New Marriott Event Space Opens in Detroit, But Without the Hotel This boutique event venue in Detroit is a unique arrangement for Marriott which, until now, has focused on combined convention space-hotel room bookings.   Upcoming Industry Events | Oct–Nov 2025 • FICP Annual Conference [November 2-5, Washington, D.C.] • ICCA Congress [November 9–12, Porto, Portugal] • Event Tech Live [November 12–13, London, UK] View Full Calendar Popular Content Ground Transportation Planners Rethink Rideshares for Groups As attendees skew younger, companies are finding increasing value and time savings in grouping rideshares for attendees. But there are still some snags. - Barbara Scofidio   Technology Blending AI With Human Insight for Strategic Gains AI is everywhere in events, but the smart move is human-led. Use AI to automate the admin, not the judgment — and stay well clear of the creepy line. - Miguel Neves   Budgeting & Cost Savings 33 Cost-Cutting Tips from the Pros Planners are searching for solutions to combat rising costs on F&B, transportation, labor, and other aspects of their events. - Barbara Scofidio   News Demolition of White House's East Wing Paves Way for Trump's New Ballroom The new ballroom being constructed at the White House has ignited widespread controversy over historical preservation, private funding, and the project's escalating costs amid a government shutdown. - Andrea Doyle Defining the future of events. Skift. 35 W 31st St., New York, NY, 10001, USA Follow Us: LinkedIn   |  X   |  Facebook   |  Instagram   |  YouTube You received this because you are subscribed to Newsletter | Skift Meetings Stand-Up from Skift. For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab.