OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Human resources specialists will gather in Oklahoma City for an annual conference that spotlights invigorating approaches to HR while throwing in fun activities and excursions.
The FunHR! 2023 OKHR Conference will be held from Tuesday, April 25 through Thursday, April 27 at the new Oklahoma City Convention Center. It will feature an array of sessions and presentations designed to illuminate the significance and versatility of the human resources role in the workplace.
Human resources professionals receive continuing education to stay informed on the latest HR practices and earn certification credits. The OKHR Conference will provide that continuing education to attendees, according to Kelly Smithee, a human resources manager and conference organizer.
“You need about 60 credits to recertify every three years, and this conference alone has over 30,” Smithee said. “So, we want Oklahoma HR professionals to be one of the best, and in order to do that, we have to provide top notch education and keep those skills up.”
An HR professional’s role in a company transcends the outdated perception of hiring, firing and giving raises, it also involves budgeting, succession planning, training and assisting with business flow, Smithee said.
“We have been very purposeful on making ourselves needed in a company and showing our worth, improving our work, and there’s been so much more education behind these credits,” she said.
The conference also gives HR professionals a chance to network.
“You’re networking with other HR professionals, which just expands your networking to when you’re looking for a job or when you have a question,” Smithee said.
Each day of the conference will feature multiple breakout sessions for continuing education, guest speakers and a keynote presentation with a featured speaker.
Keynote speakers include Steve Browne, chief people officer for LaRosa’s, Inc., a regional Pizzeria restaurant chain in Southwest Ohio; Jenn Lim, founder and bestselling author of Beyond Happiness and CEO of Delivering Happiness; and Betsy Allen-Manning, an author and renowned leadership and corporate culture speaker.
The keynote presentations will be dynamic and energetic, discussing fresh, outside-the-box approaches to HR that emphasize the “human” in human resources, Smithee said.
The conference’s fun energy will extend into the afterhours. Attendees can join conference-hosted excursions into Oklahoma City’s nightlife, with a Club FunHR 80s-themed retro neon party from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 and PubFunHR from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26. Smithee described PubFunHR as similar to a pub crawl but utilizing EMBARK downtown transportation.
Click here to register for the OKHR Conference. Individuals who cannot attend in-person can attend virtually.
The conference’s full schedule is featured below:
Tuesday, April 25
- Registration: 11 a.m.
- Opening Session, Keynote Presentation with Steve Browne: 12:45-2:15 p.m.
- Vendor Hall & Bookstore Break: 2:15-2:45 p.m.
- Breakout Sessions: 2:45-3:45 p.m.
- Vendor Hall & Bookstore Break: 3:45-4 p.m.
- Breakout Sessions: 4-5 p.m.
- Vendor Reception: 5-6:30 p.m.
- Club FunHR: 6:30-9 p.m.
Wednesday, April 26
- Sunrise Jazzercise: 6:30-7:15 a.m.
- Sunrise Breakout Session: 7-8 a.m.
- Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
- The Fun Police Session with Crowe & Dunlevy: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Break: 9:30-10 a.m.
- Breakout Sessions: 10-11 a.m.
- Vendor Hall & Bookstore Break: 11-11:30 a.m.
- Keynote Session with Jenn Lim + Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Break: 1:30-2 p.m.
- Breakout Sessions: 2-3 p.m.
- Vendor Hall & Giveaways: 3-4 p.m.
- Breakout Sessions: 4-5 p.m.
- Pub FunHR: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 27
- Sunrise Walk or Run: 6:30-7:15 a.m.
- Sunrise Breakout Sessions: 7-8 a.m.
- Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
- Break: 8-8:30 a.m.
- Closing Keynote with Betsy Allen Manning: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Break: 9:30-9:45 a.m.
- Breakout Sessions: 9:45-10:45 a.m.
- Break: 10:45-11 a.m.
- Breakout Sessions: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
