2026 Jayhawk SHRM Business Leadership Conference
Learn. Connect. Lead.
Join Jayhawk SHRM for the 2026 Business Leadership Conference, a full day of professional development designed for HR professionals, business leaders, supervisors, managers, and anyone responsible for supporting people in the workplace.
This year's conference will feature engaging speakers, practical strategies, and meaningful conversations focused on leadership, compensation, professional growth, workplace effectiveness, and taking action. Attendees will leave with new ideas, valuable resources, and tools they can begin applying within their organizations immediately.
Whether you are an experienced HR leader, new to the profession, or responsible for managing people as part of your role, the Business Leadership Conference offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow alongside professionals from throughout the region.
Conference Details
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration includes:
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Full-day educational sessions
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Breakfast refreshments
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Lunch
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Conference materials
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Networking opportunities
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Access to local HR professionals and business leaders
Who Should Attend?
This conference is ideal for:
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HR professionals at every career stage
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Business owners and executives
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Supervisors and managers
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Emerging leaders
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Operations and office professionals
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Anyone responsible for hiring, employee relations, compliance, compensation, or organizational culture
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Students pursuing a career in Human Resources
Registration Pricing
Early Bird Registration
July 15 – August 31, 2026
| Registration Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Jayhawk SHRM Member | $80 |
| Nonmember | $90 |
| Small Business | $40 |
| Student | $20 |
Regular Registration
| Registration Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Jayhawk SHRM Member | $90 |
| Nonmember | $100 |
| Small Business | $50 |
| Student | $30 |
Organizations registering three or more attendees receive a 20% team discount.
On-site registration, if available, will include an additional $10 registration fee.
Why Attend?
The Business Leadership Conference is designed to provide practical ideas you can immediately take back to your workplace.
During the conference, you'll:
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Learn from respected HR and business leaders.
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Stay current on emerging workplace trends and best practices.
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Gain practical strategies you can implement immediately.
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Expand your professional network with HR colleagues from across Kansas and the surrounding region.
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Earn SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs), pending approval.
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Leave energized with fresh ideas and new perspectives.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Showcase your organization to HR professionals, executives, and decision-makers from across the region by becoming a Business Leadership Conference sponsor.
Sponsorship opportunities provide valuable visibility while supporting professional development and strengthening the HR community.
For sponsorship information, please contact Jayhawk SHRM or visit the Sponsorship page.
Register Today
Invest in your professional growth and join us for one of the region's premier HR and leadership events.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Maceli's | Lawrence, Kansas
We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Jayhawk SHRM Business Leadership Conference!
Joe Hamilton III
SHRM Update and Emerging HR Topics
As SHRM's Member Advisory Council (MAC) representative, Joe Hamilton III will provide attendees with updates, insights, and resources from SHRM. Additional information regarding Joe's presentation topic will be announced soon.
Matt Jones
HR Is a Marathon
A career in HR requires endurance, preparation, flexibility, and the ability to continue moving forward through changing conditions. In HR Is a Marathon, Matt Jones will explore the challenges HR professionals face, the importance of maintaining perspective, and strategies for sustaining yourself throughout the long race of your career.
Bruce Waller, SHRM-SCP
Choosing Your Own Path
Careers and leadership journeys rarely follow a perfectly straight line. In Choosing Your Own Path, Bruce Waller, SHRM-SCP, will share insights on making intentional career decisions, embracing change, recognizing opportunities, and building a path that aligns with both professional aspirations and personal values.
Jeff Palkowski, SHRM-SCP
Be a Doer
Ideas and plans only create change when someone is willing to take action. In Be a Doer, Jeff Palkowski, SHRM-SCP, will inspire attendees to move beyond discussion, overcome hesitation, and intentionally take the steps necessary to create meaningful results—for themselves, their teams, and their organizations.
Date and Time
Tuesday Oct 20, 2026
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM CDT
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Location
Maceli's
1031 New Hampshire Street
Lawrence, Kansas
Fees/Admission
July 15 – August 31, 2026 Organizations registering three or more attendees receive a 20% team discount. On-site registration, if available, will include an additional $10 registration fee.Registration Pricing
Early Bird Registration
Registration Type
Price
Jayhawk SHRM Member
$80
Nonmember
$90
Small Business
$40
Student
$20
Regular Registration
Registration Type
Price
Jayhawk SHRM Member
$90
Nonmember
$100
Small Business
$50
Student
$30
Contact Information
Brook Donovan
Send Email
