2023 State Conference Information
October 9th and 10th | Mystic Lake Center
Join us for our annual State Conference on October 9th and 10th at Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, MN.
Our 2023 theme is "That's Minnesota" and this year's conference is focused on celebrating the unique culture and practices of our state while sharing HR insights and best practices.
The MNSHRM State Conference is presented annually by the Minnesota SHRM State Council, a state affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This is one of the largest HR conferences in the region attracting over 700 human resources professionals and vendors.
Representing virtually every industry and size of business, this is the place to be for professionals to network, grow, and learn about the human resources industry. You also have the opportunity to earn credits for both the HR Certification Institute and SHRM Competencies Certifications.
OPENING KEYNOTE DEVIN HENDERSON | AFTERNOON KEYNOTE APRIL SIMPKINS | CLOSING KEYNOTE DAN MEERS |
Devin Henderson is a multi-talented powerhouse: an experienced presenter and seasoned performer, having logged thousands of performances as an award-winning comedian and magician and an in-demand keynote speaker. His unique combination of skills and storytelling and his hilarious and engaging interaction are what make him an audience favorite. His clients have included Pepsi, Hallmark, Cerner and hundreds more. His performances have been called, "unreal," "unexpected," and "unforgettable" and he delivers the ultimate keynote experience to inspire resilience. | April Simpkins SHRM-CP, PHR - April is a dually certified HR Professional with 30 years of executive-level Human Resources experience. April is the Chief Human Resources Officer for Questco, a human resources services firm focused on supporting the HR needs of small- to mid- sized businesses. Prior to holding this role, April was a senior level HR consultant. During this time, she helped over 1000 business owners shape and develop their human capital. Her service and commitment to the HR community and the profession's advancement led to her selection as a member of the HR Advisory Board for Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. There, she works with a team of HR thought leaders charged with designing the human resources undergraduate and postgraduate degree curriculum and programs. April is also an advocate for mental health. She became a more visible advocate following the passing of her beloved daughter, Cheslie Kryst. Cheslie battled depression for many years. April, an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is committed to breaking the stigma of mental illness. April has shared Cheslie's story emphasizing the importance of mental health on programs like Red Table Talk, CBS Mornings, and ExtraTV. She has also contributed to print media, including an article in the New York Times. | Dan Meers has been KC Wolf, the mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs, for more than 30 years. In 2006 he was selected as the first NFL mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Dan travels throughout the United States and the world entertaining thousands of people both in and out of costume. He has performed in over 40 states and 12 different countries. He is in high demand not only as a mascot but also as a humorous and motivational speaker to audiences of all ages. His enthusiasm, optimism and love for life are contagious and make Dan an inspiration to all those he meets. Be it young or old, executive or blue collar, his audiences walk away with a smile and a renewed spirit to live life to the fullest. Whether you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan or not, you’ll enjoy Dan Meers as he shares his unique wit and wisdom about life. |