Event Details

9th Annual HR SUMMIT

Date:	October 21, 2025
Organizer:	SHRM Northstate
Location:	Win-River Resort & Casino The Event Center 2100 Redding Rancheria Road Redding, CA 96001
Price:	Member $199 / Non-Member $249
Event Type:	Conference
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Get excited for our 9th Annual HR Summit!

SHRM Northstate's 9th HR Summit

ELEVATING HUMAN RESOURCES
PEOPLE FIRST. FUTURE READY.

Today’s human resources professionals are navigating more than ever before—and doing it with heart, strategy, and strength. As we support our organizations through change, growth, and uncertainty, we’re leading with what matters most -- people. And we’re preparing for what comes next -- the future.

That’s why this year’s HR Summit is built around our 2025 theme -- People First. Future Ready.

HR is more than a job—it’s a calling. It demands knowledge, resilience, creativity, and connection. This HR Summit is your chance to refuel, reconnect, and get re-energized for the important work ahead.

We’ve carefully selected speakers who will engage both your mind and your spirit. Between sessions, network with your peers and meet top-tier HR solution providers in our expo area.

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself, your organization, and the future of HR.

Join us October 21st and get ready to put People First and become Future Ready.

We are excited to have you join us this year at a NEW venue -- Win-River Resort Event Center -- where we have room to grow together!

Session Topics and Speakers

Gain valuable insights from our inspiring speakers, connect with fellow HR peers, and explore top-notch HR solutions from our supportive sponsors.

Session 1 -- Opening Keynote: Kelly Swanson, CSP, CPAE
Topic: Flip Your Script: Using the Power of Story to Reimagine What's Possible
Website: Award-Winning Funny Motivational Speaker | Kelly Swanson
Bio: Kelly Swanson Bio

In a world where self-doubt, burnout, and outside pressure shape the story we tell our-selves, it’s no wonder so many people feel stuck, unseen, or just going through the motions. Kelly Swanson believes the key to change isn’t just strategy—it’s story. And if you want to Change your life, you must start by changing the story you’re living in.

In this hysterically funny and deeply moving keynote, Kelly takes your audience on a journey through the stories we tell ourselves, the ones that hold us back, and the ones we have the power to rewrite. Through her own transformation—and a cast of unforgettable characters—she shows how humor and heart can flip the script on fear, doubt, and burnout.

Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of purpose, a new lens on their challenges, and a practical framework to rewrite their personal and professional narrative. This isn’t just motivation—it’s a mindset shift that sticks.

Because the most powerful tool you have isn’t a system—it’s your story.

Learning Objectives

Learn four steps to rewriting your inner script
Recognize that your story directly influences the life you lead
Give yourself permission to dream and allow joy into your life
Master six strategies to reshape a winning mindset
Write a new story goals and achieve through intentional action

Session 2: Christopher Alvarez, Partner, Fisher Phillips
Topic: Costly Retaliation Claims Are on the Rise – Strategies to Defend and Prevent
Bio: Christopher Alvarez Bio

Retaliation continues to rank as one of the most common—and expensive—claims in employment litigation. With government agencies and the courts sharpening their focus on retaliation protections, employers must be ready to proactively manage risk. In this engaging session, Chris will break down the latest trends in retaliation claims, highlight recent case law, and explain shifting enforcement priorities. He will also share effective defense strategies and actionable prevention tools that organizations can put into practice immediately to reduce liability and strengthen workplace culture.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize key trends in retaliation claims, including recent case law and enforcement priorities.
Understand the potential costs and damages exposure associated with retaliation litigation.
Apply practical defense strategies when facing retaliation allegations.
Implement proactive prevention measures, including policy updates, documentation practices, and manager training.
Strengthen workplace culture while minimizing the risk of costly retaliation claims.

Session 3 -- SHRM Jigsaw – Putting the Pieces Together

Join the SHRM Northstate Board for an interactive session that brings the full picture of SHRM to life. Just like a jigsaw puzzle, each piece—membership, certification, specialty credentials, the SHRM Foundation, volunteering, and more—plays an essential role in your professional growth and in advancing the HR profession. In this 30-minute session, you’ll discover how the many parts of SHRM connect to create opportunities for learning, networking, and giving back. Whether you’re a long-time member or brand new to SHRM, this is your chance to see how the pieces fit together and how you can make the most of everything SHRM has to offer.

Session 4: Jeanine DeBacker - Employment Lawyer, Trainer & Workplace Investigator, McPharlin, Sprinkles & Thomas, LLP
Topic: Dealing with Difficult Employees - Documentation Done Right
Bio: Jeanine DeBacker Bio

Documentation is more than just paperwork – it’s a key tool in creating fairness, consistency, and credibility in the workplace. In this interactive session, Jeanine will explore the ins and outs of effective documentation when managing difficult employees. Attendees will learn practical strategies for keeping documentation compliant, clear, and actionable, while ensuring that managers treat employees consistently and fairly.

Whether it’s addressing performance issues, behavioral concerns, or disciplinary actions, good documentation can help employees understand expectations, support coaching efforts, and provide essential evidence should an employment decision be challenged. Jeanine will also discuss what documentation can be discarded, what must be preserved, and how thoughtful record-keeping contributes to an efficient and legally defensible HR program.

Learning Objectives:

Identify situations that require documentation and determine the appropriate level of detail.
Understand how to document employee performance and behavior in a fair, clear, and legally compliant manner.
Recognize when documentation can be discarded versus when it must be preserved for legal or organizational purposes.
Apply documentation best practices to support consistent management decisions and HR programs.
Utilize documentation to enhance employee accountability and defend organizational decisions if challenged.

Session 5 -- Closing Keynote: Morgan Massie
Topic: Finding Your Voice: Creating Conversations that Motivate, Inpsire and Support the People you Serve
Websites: Leadership and Training Concierge
Bio: Morgan Massie Bio

Award-winning leadership strategist and TEDx speaker Morgan Massie will close this year’s HR Summit with a grounded, yet high-energy and practical keynote focused on how to lead conversations that build trust, engagement, and performance. Drawing from her 20+ years in HR and leadership development, Morgan shares actionable tools to help you align your leadership voice with what actually motivates people. You’ll walk away with tools to use immediately and a renewed connection to your own influence as an HR professional. Through interactive table discussions, real-world examples, and action planning, participants will leave reconnected to their own voice—and better equipped to support the people they serve.

Learning Objectives:

Identify core employee motivators using the Motivational Currency™ model
Apply the Conversation Compass™ to guide coaching conversations with clarity
Practice coaching conversations to boost confidence and engagement
Create a personal action plan to initiate high-impact conversations at work

Learning Outcomes:

Learn how to design conversations that align with what drives employees
Gain tools for navigating difficult or motivating moments with greater impact
Leave with a written action plan for immediate application in their HR role

Bonus Event: The Wine in Your Future
Join us for fun-time after the Summit, meet new people, learn how to truly taste wine with our own Kelly Nickel, enjoy 5 different wines, relax and unwind. Also a great time to get to know our Board Members. This is a FREE event thanks to our sponsors!

TICKET PRICING

Good news -- We are pleased to offer same pricing as 2024!

SHRM Northstate Members - $199 (We will verify that you are on the current SHRM Northstate roster)

Non-Members - $249

FT HR Undergrad Students - $99*
HR Colleagues in Career Transition - $99*

*Fulltime HR undergrad students and HR colleagues in-between jobs/currently unemployed may qualify for 100% scholarships thanks to the support of our Sponsors! Prior to purchasing a ticket, email bsalyer@northstateshrm.org to qualify and obtain promo code.

NEW - Group Pricing Available! **
**Organizations sending 3 or more employees can now save on ticket pricing -- for 3-5 employees save $10 off ticket price, for 6-8 save $15 off ticket price, for 9 or more, save $20 off ticket price. You must email prior to purchase bsalyer@northstateshrm.org for this option; sorry but discounts cannot be given after purchase.

COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN?

Make your long daytrip from out of the area an easier overnighter! We have set up discounted hotel rates to make it easier for those of you coming from a distance. Call and use rate code Block #106 and the date of our event 10/21/25 to get your rooms at $119 per night. Luxury Hotel | Win-River Resort & Casino

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

This event is made even more successful with the support of our amazing Sponsors. We plan on having 25+ sponsors who offer HR related products and services in our Vendor Exhibit area.

Attendees will once again get a Passport to Prizes to complete to be entered into some amazing opportunity drawings worth over $1000!

If your organization has HR related products or services that our attendees would benefit from, please consider a Sponsorship. Or maybe you work with a Vendor you think should be there - share this with them!