Optimism reigned supreme at the recent SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition, held June 23rd through the 26th at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Showcasing the best in Human Resources, SHRM attracted over 10,000 attendees and 8,000 speakers and exhibitors to this largest and most comprehensive of industry events.

The 54th annual convention held by SHRM, the event comes at a time when professionals struggle with difficult issues in the world of work. Corporate scandals, such as Enron and now Worldcom, have eroded employee confidence, leaving HR to restore trust. Privacy issues also loom large. In the wake of September 11th, issues such as e-mail monitoring and background investigations are very prominent, epitomized by sessions like E-Privacy in the Technology Workplace and Emotional Ergonomics.

Still, despite the challenges in the current environment, a great sense of optimism and hope for the future prevailed. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani delivered a well-received keynote speech addressing homeland security in the wake of 9-11. Quoting FDR, Giuliani reminded us, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself;" stressing the importance of maintaining normalcy in our everyday lives. According to Giuliani, fear and havoc are the terrorists' weapons, as long as we stand strong, terrorism can not bring us down.

As with every year, the SHRM Conference is a great place to retool and educate one's self on current events. Barbara Webber, a Human Resources Director from Chicago, visits SHRM annually to catch up on current trends, calling SHRM a "concentrated mini-university." Ms. Webber finds enduring value in the Conference's legal sessions, which she uses to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the FMLA, ADA, Employment Law, and other legislation.

Current events also made a splash at SHRM in other ways. One session, Surviving the HR Experience, produced by Seyfarth Shaw, was based on CBS's popular Survivor TV show. The firm aired a video documentary that followed ten HR managers over the course of twelve weeks, "chosen to live among their peers in a brutal fight for survival and victory." Every aspect of the participants' character and professional ability was tested, as they competed against one another, struggling to avoid legal minefields and elimination.

SHRM is also an excellent venue for vendors and buyers to connect. For many attendees, the vendor hall is as much a part of the educational experience as the break-out sessions. Though traditionally a "war of the giveaways," as one attendee commented, this year, the giveaways and accouterments were smaller and less flamboyant; a patriotic theme decorating many booths.

Kate Chambrovich, a vendor and first-time attendee, found an excellent audience for her company at SHRM. "Companies are looking for ideas," according to Ms. Chambrovich, an Account Manager with HireDiversity.com. In her niche especially, there is no room for passivity, "You have to be in it to win it." And that's exactly the kind of atmosphere SHRM 2002 delivered.

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