RI SHRM upcoming events

Employment Law Summit (12 Nov 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Presented in partnership with the Employers Association of the Northeast (EANE)

Stay ahead of the workplace issues that matter most.

Join HR professionals, business leaders, attorneys, and workplace experts for a full day focused on the employment law issues shaping today's workplace.

You'll leave with practical insights, timely legal updates, and strategies you can put to work right away.

Want to see what's in store?

VIEW THE SUMMIT AGENDA & SPEAKERS

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Thursday, November 12th

Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location:

Crowne Plaza
801 Greenwich Ave
Warwick, RI 02886

Cost:

Early Bird: $219
May 19 - July 3, 2026
Regular: $269
July 4 - Oct 20, 2026
Late Registration: $299
Oct 21 - Nov 9, 2026

Cancellation, Refund & Registration Transfer Policy

Attendees may cancel their registration and receive a full refund if the request is submitted on or before November 6, 2026. Cancellations received after this date are non-refundable.

If an attendee is unable to attend, they may transfer their registration to another individual. Transfer requests must be submitted to RI SHRM no later than November 10, 2026.

For assistance, please contact ri.shrm.projects@gmail.com.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Annual and Event Sponsorship Opportunities are available. Contact Pam Thornton at Pthornton@eane.org.

When the Board and the C-Suite Collide: Mediating at the Top (8 Dec 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 17:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

At the senior level, HR leaders are often called upon to navigate some of an organization’s most complex dynamics, particularly when priorities, personalities, and perspectives between the board and C-suite collide.

This session explores how HR leaders can effectively navigate executive-level tension, facilitate difficult conversations, and help move leaders toward productive resolution without compromising trust, credibility, or their own strategic position.

Designed with CHROs and senior HR leaders in mind, the conversation will offer practical negotiation and mediation approaches for leading through high-stakes situations with greater confidence and clarity.

Learning Objectives

Read the dynamics at play when tension develops between the board and executive leadership.
Determine when HR should step in, when to influence behind the scenes, and when to stay out of the middle.
Approach difficult conversations without losing credibility or damaging key relationships.
Use negotiation and mediation techniques to help leaders move from conflict toward a productive path forward.

This program has been submitted for HRCI and SHRM credits.

OUR SPEAKER:

Penny Tremblay
Founder of the Sandbox System™, Mediator, Trainer, Author, and Speaker

Penny Tremblay is a renowned expert in workplace relationships, conflict resolution, and leadership development, with over two decades of experience helping organizations build more collaborative and productive cultures. As an Advanced Mediation certificate holder from Harvard and founder of the Tremblay Leadership Center, Penny has trained thousands of leaders and teams to resolve conflict constructively and foster psychological safety. She is the author of “Sandbox Strategies for the New Workplace” and a regular contributor to industry publications. Penny’s engaging presentations and practical insights empower leaders to tackle challenges head-on, making her a trusted resource for conflict resolution services and training. Rhode Island SHRM members will gain actionable strategies and memorable takeaways to transform the way they approach and resolve workplace conflict, ensuring they are prepared to lead with confidence and empathy.

Keep learning and connecting with us at an upcoming RI SHRM program.

EXPLORE UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Looking ahead to 2027? Explore opportunities to partner with RI SHRM and connect with Rhode Island’s HR community through sponsorship.
Contact Pam Thornton at ri.shrmsponsorship@gmail.com to learn more.

I Thought I Was Clear: Why Workplace Messages Miss the Mark and How to Make Them Land (12 Jan 2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 17:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Most workplace conflict doesn't start with bad intentions. It often starts when people process information differently, interpret the same message in different ways, and walk away believing they've been perfectly clear.

In this interactive webinar, Jeremy Doran explores why the same words can lead to very different understandings and how differences in thinking and communication styles influence workplace conversations.

HR professionals will gain practical tools to close the gap between what was said and what was heard, reduce misunderstandings, deliver clearer feedback and instructions, and move challenging conversations forward.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify four common differences in how people process information and approach decision-making.
Apply practical communication techniques to reduce misunderstandings when giving instructions, delivering feedback, and facilitating meetings.
Use purposeful questioning strategies to uncover the underlying reasons behind different perspectives and move stalled conversations toward understanding and resolution.

This program has been submitted for HRCI and SHRM credits.

OUR SPEAKER:

Jeremy Doran
NeuroConversant Leadership

Jeremy Doran helps people lead and connect across different ways of thinking. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Psychology and has spent more than 19 years helping organizations like General Dynamics Electric Boat and RISE Engineering build stronger leaders and better communication.

He is the founder and lead facilitator of NeuroConversant Leadership, host of the NeuroConversant Leadership podcast, a professional speaker, and the author of two books.

Keep learning and connecting with us at an upcoming RI SHRM program.

EXPLORE UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Pam Thornton at ri.shrmsponsorship@gmail.com.

2027 Tri-State SHRM Annual Conference (19 Apr 2027)

Mon, 19 Apr 2027 04:00:00 GMT

Every great workplace needs a great playlist. In 2027, HR professionals from across New England are coming together to learn, connect, and explore what it takes to build stronger, more collaborative workplaces.

The 2027 Tri-State SHRM Annual Conference returns to Mohegan Sun, bringing together hundreds of HR professionals, business leaders, thought leaders, and industry partners for a multi-day experience filled with fresh ideas, practical learning, and meaningful connections.

This year’s theme, HR: Don’t Stop Believin’ | Building Strong, Collaborative Workplaces, puts the focus on people working better together.

Throughout the conference, attendees will have opportunities to:

Learn from HR experts and thought leaders on the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s workplaces, including leadership, compliance, talent, culture, technology, employee engagement, and more.
Connect with hundreds of HR and business professionals from across the region to exchange ideas, build relationships, and expand your network.
Explore the Exhibition Hall and discover tools, resources, technology, and services to support your people and your organization.
Earn 25+ hours of SHRM and HRCI recertification credits, with 90-day on-demand access to session recordings.
Attend in person or virtually, with options designed to make the conference experience work for you.

And it all happens at Mohegan Sun, with plenty of opportunities to connect, recharge, and enjoy everything the resort has to offer.

Whether you’re an experienced HR leader, growing your career, or supporting people and culture in your organization, come ready to learn, connect, and leave with ideas you can put into action.

The stage is set. Don’t stop believin’. Join us in 2027.

For more information, contact Lori McCombs, Conference Planner, lori@tristateshrm.com or 816.832.7815.

Click Here to Register