SHRM25 Welcomes Over 20,000 Attendees to Shape the Future of Work

SHRM25 in San Diego brought together more than 20,000 HR professionals, business leaders, students, and policymakers from across the globe. This year’s gathering drew participants from over 80 countries, including more than 800 global attendees.

The conference served as a global platform to explore the evolving world of work. Attendees engaged in discussions on leadership, education-to-employment pathways, legal developments, and international HR collaboration, reflecting the profession’s growing impact across economies and sectors.

A key moment of SHRM25 came during a Main Stage address from former President Joe Biden, who underscored the central role of HR professionals in driving organizational resilience and workforce transformation.

“You shape the workplace. You build the culture. You set the tone,” Biden said. “Change is constant. It creates new opportunities while also presenting challenges to jobs and industries. What you do matters, because people are the most important asset.”

Following Biden’s remarks, SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, held a Q&A with Biden that emphasized the dual focus of the HR profession: supporting people and advancing performance.

“It is about people and performance,” Taylor said. “HR professionals must remain committed to creating environments where talent can thrive and organizations can grow.”

During her Main Stage address, Emily M. Dickens, J.D., SHRM chief of staff, head of government affairs, and corporate secretary, announced the launch of SHRM’s Education-to-Employment (E²) Initiative — a framework designed to close the gap between academic preparation and workplace readiness.

E² is built on three pillars:

• Awareness: Identifying and highlighting disconnects between education systems and workforce needs, while also promoting people and programs getting git right
• Advocacy: Advancing policy changes that promote aligned learning and career pathways.
• Action: Supporting scalable, cross-sector partnerships that prepare individuals for evolving job demands.

Dickens also mentioned the expansion of SHRM’s A-Team advocacy benefits to include all SHRM members, empowering HR professionals at every level to influence workforce policy.

As part of SHRM25’s international programming, SHRM hosted the President’s Circle Luncheon, bringing together national HR association leaders to exchange ideas and share updates from their regions. The luncheon was hosted by SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, and focused on current workforce trends, policy challenges, and partnership opportunities.

The following leaders participated:

• Bahamas: Lashanta Smith, SHRM-SCP
• Canada: Jodi Kovitz
• Ghana: Francis Eduku
• Nigeria: Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir
• Ukraine: Kateryna Kovalevska

Attendees discussed the mission and structure of their associations, the impact of political and economic trends on HR, and emerging areas for global collaboration. The luncheon set the foundation for continued engagement and knowledge sharing across the global HR profession.

SHRM25 featured several breakout sessions addressing timely issues for the HR profession.

Navigating Legal Shifts

In “Supreme Shifts: How Landmark Court Decisions Are Reshaping Workplace Discrimination Policies,” panelists examined recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings, including Muldrow v. St. Louis and Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services. Speakers provided guidance on how HR professionals can adapt policies to reflect updated interpretations of Title VII and other workplace laws.

Key takeaways included the importance of:

• Conducting internal compliance reviews.
• Updating training to reflect new standards.
• Reassessing job transfers and workplace policies in light of legal precedent.

In “Strengthening the Education to Employment Pipeline: Together, We Can Align Education, Skills, and Workforce Needs,” experts discussed how HR can lead efforts to align education with workforce needs. Topics included:

• Integrating skills-based learning into academic programs,
• Expanding access to apprenticeships, certifications, and career and technical education.
• The power for HR and advocacy in future-proofing America’s workforce.

Attendees received actionable strategies for advancing skills-based hiring and supporting policies that expand career access.

SHRM25 reaffirmed the HR profession’s commitment to advancing practical, forward-looking workforce strategies across borders and industries. HR professionals are encouraged to stay involved in SHRM’s initiatives, including the E² campaign and the A-Team advocacy network.

Please take our survery to share a program or policy in your community that supports workforce development, complete the E² interest form, or explore advocacy opportunities.

Registration Opens for SHRM’s August In-District Advocacy Campaign

Registration is now open for SHRM’s annual August In-District Advocacy Campaign, an opportunity to connect with lawmakers in their home districts while Congress is in recess. From July 28 to Sept. 5, SHRM members will meet with their U.S. representatives and senators to advocate for workplace policies that reflect the real-world needs of employers and employees.

This year’s campaign will focus on timely and forward-looking workforce policy priorities — particularly those aimed at strengthening the pipeline between learning and earning, caregiving, artificial intelligence displacement, and other critical issues.

Contact SHRM Government Affairs directly at governmentaffairs@shrm.org with any questions or for additional information about this campaign.