Let’s talk programming. There’s something to say about peer-to-peer education. You have a depth of understanding and a connection to shared struggles, solutions and best practices. This is the reason why we stack our agenda with practitioners from a variety of industries and companies around the nation to help expand your education and professional network. One attendee that has benefited greatly from our education and networking is long-time Member, Mike Bazinet of Grifols. From championing veteran hiring strategies to sharing compliance advice, he’s always ready and willing to lend an ear and assist his peers. See his perspective on why he’s deemed our conference the best in the industry.
Q: How many times have you attended DirectEmployers Annual Conference (DEAM)?
A: I have attended five DEAM conferences and presented content at two of them.
Q: Explain how your experience at DEAM is different from other conferences?
A: DEAM focuses on the Member company’s needs. It is not a sales show for different companies competing and selling their product. Many other industry conferences are havens for companies preying on federal contractors and very little content is heard that can benefit the practitioner. Instead, we are offered products that may or may not help us. DEAM offers solutions that other Member companies have implemented and have proven successful. In addition, DEAM allows Member companies to work and partner with each other on some very demanding OFCCP regulations. Navigating these regulations has been much easier since I started attending DEAM and collaborating with other federal contractors that understand the headaches of recruiting in a compliant environment.
Q: If you were to choose three words that described DEAM, what would they be?
A: Focused, consistent and open.
Q: How have you used information that you’ve discovered at DEAM and incorporated it into your company’s strategy?
A: Yes, every year I come back with some knowledge that I have implemented into our organization. I believe it is because much of the content is being shared by Member companies who live and work under the federal contractor regulations every day.
Q: What is your favorite memory from DEAM?
A: Having the opportunity to listen to Johnny Campbell speak and get to meet him in person. He is a remarkable recruiter and businessman–that made an impression on me. Also, having the opportunity to present content with Candee Chambers and John C. Fox–that was a highlight of my career. To be on the stage with two people who have more compliance knowledge than I will ever have was very special.
Q: What have you gained as a repeat attendee of DEAM?
A: The regulations change every year so it is important to stay on top of them as much as possible. DEAM allows that to happen and it has had a positive impact on my organization.
Q: How has DEAM expanded your peer-to-peer networking?
A: Of course, I have met so many fantastic people throughout the years.
Q: With budgets being cut for HR travel, how do you justify your travel to DEAM?
A: I explain that we will gain more from DEAM than other meetings because it focuses on the federal contractor more than the OFCCP and companies selling goods and services.
Q: Any other additional comments you’d like to share about DEAM or DirectEmployers?
A: Of all the solution providers I work with, DirectEmployers is the one that I get the most from. Countless times you have assisted my organization and we have benefited from our membership. The knowledge I have gained over the years has been amazing and has helped get our organization in a better spot.
With hundreds of attendees each year, Mike’s experience is just one of many we have to share.
Thank you, Mike, for your honest input and we are so happy to have Members like you supporting us! Want to experience our conference for yourself? Register to attend today! 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!
See you in Seattle!
- DE Talk Unplugged | If It’s Not in Writing, It Never Happened: Applicant Tracking & Recordkeeping Strategies to Ensure OFCCP Compliance - October 3, 2024
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- DirectEmployers Association Announces 2024 Conference, Focusing on Aligning OFCCP Compliance & Recruitment Efforts - December 5, 2023
