Dispatch from SHRM 24: Packed expo offered attendees a look at new HR products and services

The Society for Human Resource Management’s annual conference wrapped up in Chicago this week. More than 26,000 HR professionals, vendors, and industry analysts attended SHRM 24 in person. Of those, 2,200 attended virtually.

One perk of visiting the massive HR gathering in the flesh is exposure to the more than 175,000-square-foot expo hall, where vendors lure in HR pros with games and raffles, candy and cookies, and custom swag—lots of custom swag. The expo hall offered attendees the opportunity to learn more about the latest products and services in the HR space.

SHRM 24’s expo featured nearly 700 exhibitors and sponsors, including notable names in the HR space like UKG, ADP, and Dayforce, as well as smaller vendors. Attendees explored vendors across a myriad of unique offerings: Meats by Linz for employee gift ideas and Human Touch massage chairs were among the more curious vendors.

BambooHR drew crowds by hawking customized apparel. Vendors’ customized shirts, socks, and tote bags gently reminded attendees of their products’ bespoke offerings.

Nationwide returned for another round this year, wooing onlookers with pet insurance products.

We know sometimes it’s easy to be cynical, especially in spaces like this, but the only troll we spotted at this year’s HR conference and expo was Poppy…and she was just there for a photo opp.

Poppy wasn’t the only celeb who made an appearance at the expo hall. Actor Shemar Moore greeted fans at the Paycom booth as the company’s new spokesperson.

After a long day of conference sessions, attendees were also able to imbibe while learning about retirement and financial wellness planning offerings at Betterment.

With the “polycrisis” that SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor predicted in his opening remarks, referring to multiple challenges facing HR, people leaders are going to need the right tech and tools to prepare their teams for the work in the coming months and years.