2025 GRHRA Ignite HR Conference

GRHRA’s Ignite HR Conference 2025 Agenda

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Rhythm City Casino, 7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807

6:30 am-7:30 am

Exhibitor Set up

7:00 am-8:00 am

Breakfast/Registration | Continental Breakfast - selection of fresh fruit, yogurt, granola and pastries, along with grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches. Coffee, juice and tea will be available.

8:00 am-8:30 am

Opening – President/Ice-Breaker | Bobbi Jo, Lauri Flanagan - IA SHRM, board member intros

8:30 am-9:30 am

Opening Keynote - Heather Merrick, Members & Community Director, SHRM 

Session - The Future of Work: Our world continues to move forward very fast. Stay up to date with key strategies about how the future of work looks and what HR needs to do to lead our business forward.

Learning Objectives:

• Considerations for the future of work
• Workplace and workforce priorities
• Leading and managing change
• HR practice implications

Speaker Bio: Heather Merrick

9:30 am-10:00 am

Break/Exhibit Hall

10:00 am-11:30 am

Session – Presented by: Amanda Mosteller – MRA | Mastering Retention: Building Loyalty in a Shifting Workforce - Workforce Planning (Succession Planning, Retention, Recognition, Compensation Structures)

This 90-minute interactive session will focus on providing practical insights into all stages of the employee experience, from pre-boarding to exit, with actionable takeaways for creating a more engaged and loyal workforce.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand why employee retention is important in a tumultuous talent market

2. Learn best practices for pre-boarding and onboarding to give new employees the best experience

3.Utilize Pulse Surveys, Engagement Conversations, and Exit Interviews to Monitor Engagement and Satisfaction

4. Identify and develop your talent pipeline through key succession planning elements at all levels

5. Understand the role of leadership in employee retention

Speaker Bio: Amanda Mosteller

11:30 am-12:00 pm

Break/begin buffet line

12:00 pm-12:30 pm

Lunch/Exhibit hall

12:30 pm-1:15 pm

Session – Presented by: State and Federal Legal Updates Representatives of Lane & Waterman | State/Federal Legal Update - Iowa, Illinois, and federal legal updates

1:15 pm-1:30 pm

50/50 Drawing & Giveaways

1:30 pm-2:15 pm

Session – Presented by: Bri Jacque| Game Plan for Success: Applying Sports Coaching Techniques to HR Strategies | HR + AI concerns - employee experience, cyber security.

Speaker Bio: Brianna Jacque

2:15 pm-2:30 pm

Break/Exhibit Hall - SNACKS

2:30 pm-3:15 pm

Session - Presented by: Jackie Celske  | “AI with a Human Touch: How HR Can Lead the Future of AI Adoption”

Brief Overview:
As organizations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, HR professionals are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in AI adoption. This session explores the intersection of AI and human-centered leadership, providing HR leaders with strategies to assess readiness, navigate attitudes and resistance, and ensure AI implementation enhances—not replaces—the human experience at work. By focusing on strategic planning, change management, and ethical considerations, HR professionals can shape an AI-powered future that prioritizes people, culture, and organizational success.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, attendees will:

• Assess AI Readiness: Learn how to evaluate organizational and workforce readiness for AI adoption, identifying key drivers and barriers.
• Navigate Change Management: Understand the psychology of AI adoption and how to address concerns, resistance, and misconceptions among employees.
• Ensure Ethical & Human-Centered AI Implementation: Explore strategies to integrate AI while preserving company culture, ethics, and employee well-being.
• Measure Impact & Success: Discover practical methods for tracking AI adoption success, from productivity gains to employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Position HR as AI Champions: Gain insights into how HR can drive AI strategy and implementation while ensuring the workforce remains at the heart of innovation.

Speaker Bio: Jackie Celske

3:15 pm-3:45 pm

Session – Presented by: Panel Discussion with QC CEO's and Business Leaders | When Titans Clash: Managing Conflict for Organizational Success - Executive Conflict Resolution, managing conflict organizationally, change management, mediation, strengthening your organization

3:45 pm-4:00 pm

Event Conclusion & Giveaways