Continuous Learning Underway

All Aboard the HR Conference Cruise! 

Continuous learning will always be my drumbeat, but that learning doesn’t have to come in the same old packaging. A few years ago, SHRM Florida (formerly the HR Florida State Council) partnered with other state councils and Aspect Marketing to offer a thrilling new way to grow in our profession with the HR Conference Cruise. 

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of speaking on my third HR Conference Cruise as we sailed on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida, down to central and southern Mexico. Before the naysayers pour cold water on the idea of a "conference at sea," let me explain how it works. 

Surf and Turf Learning 

Most cruise ships have a dedicated conference center. Unless you’re looking for it,  you’ll probably miss it. After all, a conference isn't exactly the first thing on your mind when boarding a ship. Often tucked away on Deck 2, these spaces offer attendees a fantastic venue to gather, listen to top-tier speakers, and engage with sponsors. Just as people don't think of conferences when they cruise, they rarely think of cruising when they conference. That’s exactly what makes this setup brilliant. 

To ensure we don't miss out on the vacation aspect, sessions are held during the mornings and early afternoons on our "days at sea." This schedule allows attendees to fully experience the ship’s amenities and explore the ports of call. Better yet, the organizers offer four weekly "turf" sessions (webinars) prior to setting sail. These pre-cruise sessions allow attendees to get to know the speakers and dive into four more topics, maximizing the conference value. 

One of the greatest joys I experience professionally is speaking to a live audience. Whether I'm presenting at an HR conference, a trade association, or to a cohort of job seekers, there’s something truly special about helping people discover a little more about a topic they care about. Presenting sessions on board gives me a chance to connect with an audience that is relaxed, eager to learn, and also in vacation mode. This cruise, I presented on “Dealing with Employee Mental Health Struggles: The Role of HR.” 

HR Connections

During the trip, I caught up with Julie Develin, a good friend, regular conference speaker, author of "The Weekly Prompt," and phenomenal resource from UKG. We talked about how different this experience is from any other educational events in our industry. 

HR learning, which often involves reading books, clicking through pre-recorded webinars, or sitting in yet another windowless hotel ballroom for days on end, can eventually lose its luster. Don’t get me wrong; I value each of these methods and usually walk away with new insights. However, the sheer monotony of doing things the exact same way, year after year, sometimes makes me feel like I’m an extra in Apple’s famous “1984” commercial. 

In the HR profession, we spend a massive amount of energy preaching "Work/Life Balance," trying to ensure our jobs don't consume our lives. For a long time, I’ve felt this framing is backward. We should really be striving for Life/Work Balance. Our work should support our lives, not the other way around. 

Life/Work Balance

The HR Conference Cruise provides the perfect arena to put that philosophy into practice. Alongside the high-level learning and networking, we get 5 to 7 days of genuine relaxation and downtime with family and friends. On this recent voyage, I was lucky enough to bring my son, Jonathan. He even sat in on a couple of sessions and walked away with ideas to implement in his role as a manager for Discount Tire! 

A quick side note: For all the parents out there, if you ever get the chance to take a vacation with your adult kids, take it! The bonding, the laughs, and the stories shared over adult beverages create memories that will truly last a lifetime. 

I genuinely don’t think there is a better way to blend our lives with our work. While returning to the "real world" after a cruise is always a harsh dose of reality, we get to look back with gratitude for the professional growth we gained, the experiences we shared, and the new friends we made.

To Alaska We go 

For those wondering if my wife gets to join in on the fun... of course she does! In fact, she’s coming with me this May as we take the conference to Alaska! We are gearing up for another trip of a lifetime and another incredible opportunity to speak on board. 

I am, and always have been, a huge advocate for continuous learning. By incrementally improving ourselves, we become more confident in our work and offer greater value to the organizations and clients we support. 

Don’t miss your chance to look at learning through a whole new lens. Check out the upcoming itineraries at hrcruise.com. I hope to see you aboard! 

Now, if I could just get a breakfast buffet magically prepared for me at home every morning. Where is the Windjammer when you need it?