It’s a Small World After All: My Magical Ride at SHRM 26 in Orlando
While we were only about ten miles from the “Happiest Place on Earth” (Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom), I managed to find my own personal HR magic right inside the massive Orange County Convention Center in Orlando for this year’s SHRM Annual Conference. For me, the SHRM Annual Conference is the ultimate mashup of Christmas morning and Disney World, engineered specifically for HR pros!
This was my eighth time trekking to the big show, so I thought I knew exactly what to expect. But if HR teaches us anything, it’s that every year brings its own unique plot twists. The one guarantee? A massive, vibrant gathering of over 25,000 HR professionals, talent leaders, and executives all converging for a week of world-class learning, innovative tech, and transformative networking.
I always head out with anticipation, eager to see friends and colleagues I might only cross paths with at this very event. And true to form, I returned home physically exhausted but mentally, spiritually, and professionally recharged. This year was absolutely no exception.
Here are some of my favorite, pixie-dusted highlights from SHRM26:
Main Stage Keynotes: Robots, Realism, and Ultimate Royalty
SHRM always pulls out the big stops for the main stage, and this year’s lineup outmatched any previous conference I’ve attended, though it wasn't without a few surprises!
- The Pivot of the Week: On Day One, I was primed to hear from leadership legend John C. Maxwell. But in a true masterclass in flexibility, SHRM President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. made an unscheduled stage appearance to let us know Mr. Maxwell’s plane was grounded. Proving that the show must go on, Johnny called him up right on his phone for some FaceTime! What followed was a spontaneous and raw lesson in patience, humility, and grace, capped off by a fantastic, impromptu fireside chat with SHRM Board President Betty Thompson and Incoming President Sean N. Woodroffe. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons!
- Finding the "Why": Simon Sinek brought his signature Infinite Game and Start With Why frameworks to the stage. He reminded us that the best organizations don't just build rigid policies, they cultivate an enduring organizational purpose. Having followed his work for years, seeing him on the SHRM main stage was a massive personal highlight.
- A Roaring Wake-Up Call: Johnny C. Taylor Jr. delivered a blunt keynote titled "Take Back HR," flanked by massive screens of humanoid robots. He warned that HR faces an "extinction-level" threat unless we radically shift our focus to business survival. (He also shared the stage with an AI-generated lion. Johnny later confessed to me he wanted a live lion on stage, but the lawyers probably had a few thoughts on that!)
- The Queen of Inspiration: Oprah Winfrey closed out the conference on Friday with a deeply moving conversation on "Leading with Vision: Building Cultures That Inspire, Include, and Transform." I’ll admit I was initially skeptical about another "celebrity" keynote, but Ms. Winfrey was incredibly authentic, joyful, and gave us the perfect, positive message to take back to our teams. There was even a callout to her first public school experience in Milwaukee.
Making Connections & Making Memories
Beyond the mega-sessions and the sprawling Exhibit Hall, the absolute best part of any annual conference is the human connection. It was a whirlwind of meetups that made the week truly unforgettable.
- A Sneak Peek for WI SHRM: I had the pleasure of catching up with two of our fantastic upcoming WI SHRM State Conference keynote speakers: John Bernatovicz and Jennifer McClure! I caught John at his "HR Like a Boss" booth, recorded a quick teaser video, and then sat in on Jennifer’s amazing session, "The Chief Disruption Officer." Naturally, I thanked her afterward with a cold bottle of Diet Coke (she’s famously its #1 fan!). They both can’t wait to take the stage at the Kalahari in October.
- Regional Collaboration: Before the main event, representatives from all 51 SHRM State Councils gathered to discuss and align strategy and membership initiatives at our Regional Council Business Meeting. It’s always an exciting time to reconnect with fellow volunteer leaders from across the country.
- HR After Hours at SHRM 26-Midwest Style: The Wisconsin State Council SHRM teamed up with our friends from Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota to host a first-day reception. Even though we competed with a torrential Florida rainstorm and a live Christina Aguilera concert later that evening, we still had a blast networking with our North Central Region peers.
Closing with a Thrill Ride
Of course, it isn’t a conference without a little celebration! The pinnacle of the networking events was the SHRM 26 After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Sponsored by Paycom, attendees took over the entire park for an evening of short ride lines, great food, and casual networking under the stars. Aside from surviving my very first Uber car accident on the way there (Florida drivers, do better!), it was a magical way to wrap up the week.
Looking Ahead to the Great Unknown
So, what’s next? I returned from Orlando completely refueled, armed with a toolkit of strategic insights and an expanded professional circle. I know our fellow Wisconsin attendees are feeling the exact same spark to bring back to their local chapters and workplaces.
As for next year? SHRM 27 is wrapped in a bit of mystery. We know it’s heading to Chicago from June 27–30, but SHRM has teased that the event is being completely "reimagined." Word on the street is we can expect a highly refreshed, curated experience. Stay tuned for updates. With the conference right in our backyard in Chicago, I suspect we will have a strong Wisconsin contingent showing up in 2027!
Jeff Palkowski, MHRM, SHRM-SCP, PHR, PMQ
WI SHRM State Director 2025/2026
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