After working at DirectEmployers for six years, I’ve been to my fair share of industry conferences. While I’m always blown away by each event’s unique attributes, I remain positive that our Annual Meeting & Conference has hands-down the best mix of education, networking and fun! I might be slightly biased, but don’t just take my word for it. Hear it directly from from one of our repeat attendees, Immucor’s Talent Acquisition Manager, Scarlet Pettit.
I’m lucky to have a hand in the DEAM planning every year, so I love hearing our Members’ most memorable experiences and what aspects of the conference stand out to them.
Q: How many times have you attended DirectEmployers Annual Conference (DEAM)?
A: Six! And DEAM18 will be number seven.
Q: Explain how your experience at DEAM is different from other conferences?
A: The network of people in attendance are much more welcoming and open about sharing best practices. It is a more intimate experience verses feeling like a number in a sea of thousands of attendees.
Q: If you were to choose three words that described DEAM, what would they be and why?
A: Amazing – Information, People, and Companies; Creative – lots of out of the box thinking/thinkers; Energizing – I always have a long list of items to implement or improve on.
Q: How have you used information that you’ve discovered at DEAM and incorporated it into your company’s strategy?
A: I’ve been able to become Immucor’s compliance subject matter expert (SME); leverage relationships with state workforce agency representatives; expand Immucor’s SEO presence, network with other SMEs, leaders and other professionals to help improve Immucor’s practices.
Q: What is your favorite memory from DEAM?
A: Too many fun memories to name, but one of my favorites has to be Chris Liakos and his karaoke abilities from the offsite event at DEAM17!
Q: What have you gained as a repeat attendee of DEAM?
A: As a repeat attendee, I’ve been able to build my knowledge base and stay current with regulations and best practices.
Q: How has DEAM expanded your peer-to-peer networking?
A: It has lead me to be selected to serve on DirectEmployers Board of Directors and become an active member on the NLx Steering Committee. It is a great honor to give back to an organization that has helped me grow in my career.
Q: With budgets being cut for HR travel, how do you justify your travel to DEAM?
A: My executive leadership has found and experienced real value from my attendance. By implementing new processes and programs, as well as leveraging my network to help Immucor follow best practices.
Q: We love seeing your favorite photos from past DEAMs. Do you have one you’d like to share?
A: This is hard, because I have two! One from DEAM14 & one from DEAM16. The DEAM16 has one of my recruiters, Anne Sheffield with me and it also has Jen Polcer in it!
Q: Any other additional comments you’d like to share about DEAM or DirectEmployers?
A: I love connecting with extremely talented, engaged professionals that want to make a difference and encourage everyone to find a way to give back and support DirectEmployers for what they do as a leader in the industry.
With hundreds of attendees each year, Scarlet’s experience is just one of many we have to share. Want a bird’s eye view to the amazing OFCCP compliance, recruitment marketing and sourcing sessions at this year’s conference? Register to attend today! The conference program is live and ready for you to peruse. If you have questions feel free to reach out to us by emailing deam@directemployers.org for more information! We’re looking forward to helping you ‘Create‘ your own DEAM memories to share!
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GO, GIRL, GO!!!! I am so proud of you, Scarlet. You have proven over and over that there are no limits or barriers to whatever you set out to do.
So much fun we had at DEAM14 and since then! I’m so happy to have met you my very first DEAM and look forward to so many great things ahead!