Wisconsin Association of Colleges and Employers
WI-ACE Fall 2024 Conference
Wednesday 12/4 (4pm) - Friday 12/6 (12pm)
Stevens Point, WI
Thank you to our event sponsor:
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more here!
For questions about this conference, please contact our Conference Planning Committee at conference-planning@wiace.org.
Hotel Information:
Holiday Inn Stevens Point Convention Center
1001 Amber Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54482
Room Reservation Details:
$98/night rate for a standard room,
- Guests can book their reservations online 24 hours a day by using the following link: WACE
- By phone, please call 715-344-0200 and press #1. When making reservations, we ask that you please reference the group name for WACE or the Group Block Code: CEM
Conference Registration:
- WI-ACE Member Rate: $230 (Not a member yet? Join WI-ACE first and receive the member discount)
- Non-Member Rate: $280
- Student Rate (Full-time undergraduate or Graduate Student): $100
- Single Day Rate: $175 (attend Thursday only; same price for members & non-members)
Registration closes Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Conference Agenda:
Download a PDF copy of the agenda >>
Employer Site Visit:
Keynote Speakers:
Thursday Keynote:
Unlocking the Power of AI: How to Foster Human Connection and Eliminate Bias in Recruitment
Everyone is talking about using AI in recruiting, but how do you use the same tools as everyone else and still stand out? How can you add a human touch in the age of AI? What bias should you be looking for in the process of embracing technology in the hiring process?
If embracing AI ethically in your recruiting and HR process has been on your to-do list, this session is for you. Learn from job post writing expert Katrina Kibben how to use AI to humanize recruiting while eliminating bias to create a future of work your team can be proud of.
What’s In It For You
● See why AI won’t be taking your job any time soon,
● Understand why it’s harder than ever to stand out to candidates,
● Measure success and get the results you actually want
● Learn to address bias with hiring managers and technology,
● And more!
Attendees will leave this session knowing how to query AI, measure results, and address biases with hiring managers.
Kat Kibben, Three Ears Media
Kat Kibben (they/them) is a keynote speaker and recruiting expert specializing in skills-based hiring and inclusive leadership. As founder of Three Ears Media, they train teams to deliver human-centered hiring solutions that reduce time-to-fill and improve quality of hire. Named a LinkedIn Top Voice on Hiring, Kat has been featured in major outlets like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. They bring experience working with companies from Fortune 100s to small businesses. Based in Rockford, Illinois, Kat is also the author of This Was All an Accident, a collection of lessons from a year of van life.
Friday Keynote:
Will the “Sansdemic” Ever End?
Sorry, the answer is no! The demographics in the Midwest are working against the employer, and that has changed the recruiting and retention game for decades to come. Only through bold and creative innovations will companies survive.
Having studied the talent shortage for the past 30 years, and with access to the collective innovation of 4,000-plus quality employers, we have the answers to survive the Great Sansdemic (sans = without / demic = people).
This event will enlighten you on:
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The numbers behind the talent shortage: What are the underlying factors causing the great sansdemic?
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Effective approaches to a positive Candidate Experience: How have employers changed their candidate experience to be faster, on brand, and candidate friendly?
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A Winning Onboarding Experience: What are companies doing to re-engineer their onboarding process to ensure positive first, second and third impressions?
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An Engaging Employee Experiences: Having secured people, how are they changing the employee experience to keep them engaged and motivated at work?
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Top Ten Talent Attraction Strategies: Where in the world are they going to find talent?
Join us for this engaging, lively, and entertaining presentation . . . we promise solutions to the talent shortage!
Jim Morgan, MRA
Talent attraction is like the weather...everyone is talking about it but no one can do anything about it...or can they? All over the upper Midwest, employers and human resources professionals are grappling with attracting, developing, and retaining talent. Jim has been working on that issue for 30 years. He helps employers understand that demographics are driving their troubles and provides solutions for talent acquisition based on best practices. Jim has facilitated strategic planning sessions for businesses, chambers of commerce, and economic development groups, primarily around developing a talent pipeline for employers. He has provided keynote presentations for groups from 50 to over 1000. CEOs, policymakers, educators, and students have enjoyed his mix of data, experiences, research, stories, and humor.
Additional Sessions:
Thursday Hot Topic Panel:
From Classroom to Cubicle: Gen Z's Mental Health Revolution
Join us for a panel discussion regarding the unique mental health challenges facing Gen Z as they transition from the classroom to the workplace. We'll discuss current trends related to Gen Z students' mental health, and also share strategies for supporting student mental health throughout the job search and onboarding process.
Moderator: Kim Apel, UW-Whitewater
Panelists:
- Lee Burke, Career Coach at UW-Stevens Point
- Matt Gordy, Career Development Coordinator at UW-La Crosse
- Toni Stangohr, Campus Recruiter at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
- Callie Keranen, Corporate Recruiter at Direct Supply
Thursday Concurrent Sessions:
How to Read Between the Lines of a Job Post
Kat Kibben, Three Ears Media
You're ready to look for a new job. You open up the internet, enter your job title, and click search. What you'll find next are job posts that have laundry lists of meaningless skills, buzzwords that say a lot without saying anything at all, and very few details that actually tell you if you're qualified or not. How are you supposed to use this intel to select the job that's best for you?
Industry job post writing expert Katrina Kibben will teach you how to read between the lines of that job posting to know if you really want to make time to apply. They’ve taught everyone from Fortune 100’s to Mom and Pop shops how to write job postings and they know the most common mistakes. Let Kat teach you how to translate that job post into something that helps you find your next job faster.
In this session, you'll learn:
● How to write your skills in a way that makes recruiters understand what you do,
● What job titles to search for and how to find alternate options if you're coming up short,
● Tips for answering common questions like "tell me about yourself" during the interview,
● And more!
Attendees will leave this session feeling more confident about applying for jobs online.
Employment Barriers and the Importance of Neuro-Inclusive Career Advising
Jim Morgan, MRA
- Learn about the educational and employment barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals and the accompanying mental health problems that persist.
- Advocate for neuro-inclusive practices in career services, education, and employment.
- Discuss how neuro-inclusion might look in your profession and exchange ideas with others.
Friday Concurrent Sessions:
Reimagining Workplace Dynamics: The Evolving Employer-Employee Relationship
Jim Morgan, MRA
The presentation aims to explore the evolving landscape of workplace dynamics, focusing on the difficult issues surrounding remote work, flexibility, DEI, role of the hiring manager, generations in the workplace, artificial intelligence, traditional business practices, and more. Looking at it from both the employer and employee perspectives, we will delve into the varying viewpoints, challenges, and potential solutions to bridging the gaps between companies and their talent. The future of work looks very different.
Learning Objectives
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Understand the value of different perspectives
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Examine the impact of workforce challenges on productivity, team dynamics, organizational culture, and employee engagement.
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Develop strategies to navigate the changing landscape.
Best Practices for Forming Beneficial Employer & Career Services Partnerships
Juan Ramirez (Fastenal) & Liz Julian (UW-Eau Claire)
In this session, we’ll discuss benefits and common issues with employer sponsorship programs, and a few steps to help you get started at your own institution.