American Staffing Association
Staffing World Conference 2026
October 12–14, 2026
Gaylord Rockies Resort
Denver, Colorado
Staffing World Conference 2026: Driven by People, Powered by Tech
The staffing industry is being rewritten. Staffing World Conference 2026 is the industry’s premier event where the community comes together to drive change. Attendees gain actionable strategies from leading experts, turn challenges into opportunities, and build connections that move careers and companies forward.
The American Staffing Association brings its premier learning and networking event to the world-class Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, CO, October 12–14, 2026, with THRIVE Live on October 11–12.
Keynotes at Staffing World Conference 2026
Opening Keynote by Oz Pearlman
Monday, October 12 | 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Oz Pearlman is taking the main stage at ASA Staffing World to teach a skill that directly impacts your results: how to assess people more accurately. In his keynote, you’ll learn how to recognize hesitation before it costs you a placement, identify communication styles quickly, and adjust your approach in real time to build trust with clients and candidates.
Sponsored by World Wide Specialty, a Division of Philadelphia Insurance Cos.
Closing Keynote: The Fault Lines Shaping the Workforce
Wednesday, October 14 | 1:00–2:00 p.m.
In this timely and unfiltered Staffing World Conference 2026 closing keynote, Ron Hetrick, with Lightcast, brings the data, context, and blunt perspective staffing leaders need to understand what’s really happening beneath the surface of today’s labor market.
Ron will be joined on stage by Noah Yosif, Chief Economist at the American Staffing Association, for a live, moderated conversation shaped by real questions from the audience.
Five Learning Pathways at Staffing World Conference 2026
The staffing industry is evolving quickly, and Staffing World Conference 2026 is designed to keep you informed on changes that turn challenges into opportunities. Five learning pathways are being offered—each built around core roles in staffing. Choose your pathway. Fuel growth for your company.
C-Suite
For owners and executive leaders
Growth strategy, M&A, organizational intelligence—the decisions shaping the future of your company.
Leadership
For VPs, directors, and managers
Team alignment, motivation, and success starts with the leader. Learn how successful leaders lead teams, delegate, and get the most productivity from their people.
Sales
For sales and business development professionals
Social selling, winning business, and being viewed as a trusted adviser. Learn what is working in today’s environment to create a playbook for growth.
Recruiting
For recruiters and talent leaders
Candidate supply is tight and AI is changing the recruiter role. These sessions are built to hone recruiter skills in today’s digital transformation.
Tech and AI
For technology and AI leaders
Perfecting AI workflows. Human connection in a tech-driven world. What effective AI adoption looks like in practice.
Staffing World Conference 2026 Agenda Highlights
All Staffing World Conference 2026 sessions and events take place at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, unless indicated otherwise. All times reflect the Mountain Daylight time zone.
Staffing World Conference 2026 Agenda: Sunday, Oct. 11
| Time (MDT) | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00–5:00 p.m. | Registration Open | |
| 12:30–6:00 p.m. | THRIVE Live–Day 1 Note: This is a two-part event that takes place Oct. 11–12; separate registration required. A boxed lunch is included on Monday, Oct. 12. | |
| 6:00–7:30 p.m. | THRIVE Live Networking Reception |
Staffing World Conference 2026 Agenda: Monday, Oct. 12
| Time (MDT) | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. | Registration Open | |
| 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | THRIVE Live–Day 2 Note: This is a two-part event that takes place Oct. 11–12; separate registration required. A boxed lunch is included on Monday, Oct. 12. | |
| 3:15–4:15 p.m. | Staffing World Welcome Mixer | |
| 4:30–6:00 p.m. | Keynote: Opening Keynote Performance by Oz Pearlman Sponsored by World Wide Specialty, a Division of Philadelphia Insurance Cos. | |
| 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Expo Hall Opening Reception | |
| 6:15–7:55 p.m. | The Exchange | |
| 6:15–6:25 p.m. | The Collaboration Catalyst: Is Your Network Accelerating or Distracting You? | Kendra Cato, Mark Winter |
| 6:30–6:40 p.m. | Implementing AI for High-Performance Recruiting and Staffing Teams | Mike Perrone |
| 6:45–6:55 p.m. | A 5% Leakage in a 3% Margin Industry: The Average Firm Leaks More Than It Earns | Mike McKerns |
| 7:00–7:10 p.m. | Stop the Bleed: What Percentage of Your Hiring Actually Needs a Human? | Katelyn Melan |
| 7:15–7:25 p.m. | A Lawyer Walks Into a Cocktail Reception… | Lia Elliott |
| 7:30–7:40 p.m. | The Agentic Recruiting Edge: Scaling High-Volume Staffing With Autonomous AI | Pankaj Jindal |
| 7:45–7:55 p.m. | Maximize Employee Value While Reducing Year-End Costs | Raphael Thurber |
Staffing World Conference 2026 Agenda: Tuesday, Oct. 13
| Time (MDT) | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30–8:30 a.m. | Women of Color in Staffing: Coffee & Connection | |
| 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Registration Open | |
| 8:30–10:00 a.m. | Networking Breakfast Sessions | |
| 8:30–10:00 a.m. | C-Suite-Focused Breakfast Networking Session: Are You Ready for What’s Coming? A C-Suite Conversation on Leadership Readiness | Chris Weiss |
| 8:30–10:00 a.m. | Leadership-Focused Breakfast Networking Session: High-Impact Sales Management | Claudette Cunitz |
| 8:30–10:00 a.m. | Sales-Focused Breakfast Networking Session: The Curiosity Gap: Aligning Your Brand With Buyer Reality | Casey Jacox, Chris Mader |
| 8:30–10:00 a.m. | Recruiting-Focused Breakfast Networking Session: The Recruiter’s Competitive Edge: Think Faster, Listen Better, Connect Deeper | Erika Bantz, Robert Reid |
| 8:30–10:00 a.m. | Tech and AI-Focused Breakfast Networking Session | Lauren B. Jones |
| 8:30–10:00 a.m. | Networking Breakfast With Exhibitors | |
| 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Expo Hall Open | |
| 10:00–11:30 a.m. | Refreshment Break With Exhibitors | |
| 10:15 a.m.–3:55 p.m. | The Exchange | |
| 10:15–10:30 a.m. | State of the Labor Market: What to Expect for Staffing in 2027 | Noah Yosif |
| 10:35–10:55 a.m. | Solving For Team Dynamics in Staffing—The War Between Sales and Recruiting | Chris Mader |
| 11:00–11:15 a.m. | Building the Bench: Pipeline Strategies That Win Government Staffing Contracts | Constance Jones |
| 12:30–1:15 p.m. | Staffing Firm Owners Peer Groups Lunch and Discussion: Connect, Collaborate, Grow | |
| 1:30–1:40 p.m. | Push or Pause? Managing Burnout and Performance in Today’s Staffing Industry | Kathy George |
| 3:10–3:30 p.m. | Your Next Client Is Asking AI About You. Is It Recommending You or Your Competitor? | Nicole Clarke |
| 3:35–3:55 p.m. | Product Demo With Benefits in a Card: Participation Is a Profit Lever—Not a Line Item | Carl Stecker |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | AI You Can Defend: Building Smarter Staffing Workflows Without Risk | Kristine Olson, Odell Tuttle, Pragnesh Dave |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Clarity Beats Chaos: How High-Performing Staffing Teams Stay Focused Under Pressure | Beth Garvey, Jaime Donnelly, Rhona Driggs, Ericka Hyson |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Building Enterprise Value in Staffing: Market Trends, Valuation Drivers, and Transaction Readiness | Matt Rupprecht |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Engineering, IT, and Scientific Section: Differentiating Your Firm: From Staffing Provider to Strategic Workforce Partner | Eliza Hetrick, Frank Auriemma, Barry Vince |
| 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | |
| 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | LinkedIn Isn’t the Problem—Your Approach Is: A Smarter Way to Sell | Matt Williams |
| 12:15–1:45 p.m. | ASA Cares Live: Assembly Kits to Help Families in Need Join your fellow Staffing World attendees and assemble essential care kits for families experiencing homelessness in the local Aurora community. Benefitting the Comitis Crisis Center. Sponsored by Avionté | |
| 12:15–1:45 p.m. | Networking Lunch With Exhibitors | |
| 12:30–1:00 p.m. | Author Talk: Meet & Greet with Kat Kibben | |
| 1:05–1:35 p.m. | Author Talk: Meet & Greet with David Searns | |
| 1:45–3:00 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | |
| 1:45–3:00 p.m. | The Compensation ROI Workshop: How Executives Engineer High‑Performing Plans | Thomas Kosnik, Mary Macherzak |
| 1:45–3:00 p.m. | Health Care Section Session: Tech + Touch: Balancing Human Connection With Technology in Health Care Workforce Solutions | Kerry Sirkka |
| 1:45–3:00 p.m. | Direct Hire Section Session: Be Better Than Your Competition: An Interactive Workshop on How to Differentiate Yourself in Today’s Market | John Ruffini, Jason Banks, CSP, Sue Jagan, Margot McDonald, Judith Ojo, John Morgan |
| 1:45–3:00 p.m. | No One Wants to Talk to You; Here’s How to Get the Sale Anyway | Tom Erb, Dan Mori, David Searns, Mark Winter |
| 1:45–3:00 p.m. | The Power of the Operational Feedback Loop: Unlocking Clarity, Alignment, and Results | Erin MacKenzie, Jeff Pelliccio |
| 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Refreshment Break With Exhibitors | |
| 3:20–3:50 p.m. | Author Talk: Meet & Greet with Tom Erb | |
| 4:00–5:00 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | |
| 4:00–5:00 p.m. | Insurance Strategy: A New Source of Competitive Advantage | Neal Gagen, Joanna Monroe, Robert Thompson |
| 4:00–5:00 p.m. | AI in Staffing: The Real Barrier to ROI and How to Break Through It | Joey Frampus |
| 4:00–5:00 p.m. | Strategic Intelligence Panel: Unlocking Action Across Your Organization | Jeff Pelliccio, Wendy Kennah, Erin MacKenzie, DeLibra Wesley |
| 4:00–5:00 p.m. | A Billion Dollar Mistake: Why You Can’t Ignore Job Descriptions in an AI World | Kat Kibben |
| 4:00–5:00 p.m. | Show Up and Stand Out: How Women in Leadership Create Authentic Impact Sponsored by ASA Women in Leadership interest group | Ashley Andersen |
Staffing World Conference 2026 Agenda: Wednesday, Oct. 14
| Time (MDT) | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00–9:00 a.m. | Breakfast With Exhibitors | |
| 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Registration Open | |
| 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Expo Hall Open | |
| 9:00–10:00 a.m. | Breakout Sessions | |
| 9:00–10:00 a.m. | The Executive Playbook For The Next Era of Staffing | Kelly Boykin, Cary Dunning, Brian Hoffmeyer, Erin Moore, Barbara Simmer |
| 9:00–10:00 a.m. | Powered by People: Stories That Move Staffing Forward | Sam Arora, Robert Bouchard, Andy Jones, Carolyn Levy, Chelsea Crosier, Dawn Sutton, Leslie Vickrey |
| 9:30–11:30 a.m. | ASA Cares Live: Pawvana Puppy playtime with a purpose! Snuggle adoptable pups with a small donation that supports a great cause—and maybe meet your new best friend. Sponsored by Avionté | |
| 10:00–10:45 a.m. | Refreshment Break In Expo Hall | |
| 10:05 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | The Exchange | |
| 10:05–10:30 a.m. | Building an AI-Ready Talent Bench | Noah Yosif |
| 12:00–12:30 p.m. | From Invisible to Influential: Building Your Unique Social Media Brand | Brad Smith |
| 10:45–11:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions | |
| 10:45–11:45 a.m. | Industrial Section Session: Recruiting the 95%: How AI Changes the Game for Industrial Hiring | Patrick O’Rahilly, Larry Marion |
| 10:45–11:45 a.m. | Would You Fund This? An Executive Gameshow Where Growth Investments Actually Pay Off | Leslie Vickrey, Daphne Dolan, Lauren Bartlett, Lisa Kurz |
| 10:45–11:45 a.m. | ASA Owners Peer Group Invitation-Only Session: Revenue Starts With People: Building a Sales Organization Built to Scale | Casey Jacox |
| 10:45–11:45 a.m. | Deal or No Deal: The Recruiting Decisions That Make or Break Placements | Cody Cope, CSP, Jackie Cepicka |
| 10:45–11:45 a.m. | Stop Leaving Money on the Table: How to Engage With Your Current Clients | Shad Tidler |
| 11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch With Exhibitors | |
| 1:00–2:00 p.m. | Closing General Session | |
| 1:00–2:00 p.m. | Keynote: The Fault Lines Shaping the Workforce: What Comes Next for Staffing Leaders Sponsored by T2 Insurance Solutions | Ron Hetrick, Noah Yosif |
Please note: The Staffing World combo ticket includes THRIVE Live, otherwise you must register for this program separately.
Staffing World Conference 2026 Rates
If you attended Staffing World 2025, you automatically receive the special alumni rate for Staffing World Conference 2026. Bring your team and save an additional 15% starting with your second registrant.
| Staffing World Only (Oct. 12–14, 2026) | Regular Rate |
|---|---|
| Member – Alumni | $2,095 |
| Member – Non-Alumni | $2,905 |
| Nonmember | $4,995 |
| Industry Supplier – Member | $5,575 |
| Industry Supplier – Nonmember | $7,885 |
Industry Supplier rates are valid for individuals employed by companies that provide products and services to staffing firms.
THRIVE Live Only (Oct. 11–12)
Member rates: Alumni $520 | Non-Alumni $785
Nonmember rates: Alumni $720 | Non-Alumni $995
ASA Hosted Buyers Program: $975
Full conference access built for staffing firm decision-makers who have not attended Staffing World in the past 5 years and are actively evaluating solutions providers. Limited to 30 staffing firm attendees.
Available Discounts
For Teams: Save 15% on full registration packages after the first registrant pays full price.
For ASA Volunteers: $350 off a full registration package.
Cancellation policy: Email ASA by Aug. 28, 2026 to cancel or transfer your registration. After Aug. 28, 2026, no refunds will be awarded. All cancellations will be assessed a 25% administrative charge. Questions? Contact ASA at sw@americanstaffing.net.
Hotel & Travel: Staffing World Conference 2026 Heads to the Mile-High City
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
6700 North Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora, CO 80019
888-840-3143 | Check in: 4 p.m. | Check out: 11 a.m.
Room rate for Staffing World Conference 2026: $299, plus tax (includes resort fee). The resort fee includes:
- Two bottles of water, replenished daily
- Daily seasonal afternoon treat
- 24-hour fitness center access
- Use of scheduled shuttle service from commuter rail stop
- Complimentary high-speed Internet access in all guest rooms
Parking: Daily parking $35, valet parking $49, self parking $15–49 based on number of hours (plus tax).
Air travel: Denver International Airport (DEN) is 6 miles from the resort.
What Are People Saying About Staffing World?
Dottie Peterson
Owner, A Hire Power
“I cannot imagine being in the staffing industry and NOT going to Staffing World. Where else could you find all the connections to our industry right there in a one-stop-shop environment. From colleagues to vendors, this is a MUST-attend event for any staffing agency.”
Drew Anderson
VP, TalentLogistiX
“Staffing world is a fantastic opportunity to network with other incredible staffing leaders from across the country. The multiple day event allows each of us to take a step out of our traditional day to day responsibilities, and places us back in the learning seat.”
John Ruffini
Vice President, Professional Development, HealthTrust Workforce Solutions
“Great networking! Expo hall was the best ever—good group of vendors, a lot of activity. Absorbed a lot of knowledge I can take back and share/apply.”
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