[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1655830167844{background-image: url(https://weconutah.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WECon-background-scaled.jpg?id=2972) !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1655839610775{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Welcome to the U.S.S. WECon”
WECon 2025
Our Purpose
The Work Elevated Conference (WECon) is the annual Utah SHRM event that elevates the human resources profession.
Our purpose is to create an inclusive society where human resource professionals can obtain certifications and education to advance the profession of people operations across the state of Utah.
Our mission is three-fold:
To empower Utah workplaces to elevate their workforce.
To be the leading expert in advancing the education of human resources professionals throughout the state of Utah.
To elevate individuals in their professional development and maximize human potential.
Our vision is to encourage all human resource professionals to obtain certifications and education that will allow them to be the voice and expert in their field. This will enable organizations to create a better workplace, positively impacting all communities across the state of Utah.
The Pinnacle Award
In 2022, National SHRM awarded Utah SHRM the Pinnacle Award for “Enhancing the SHRM Community.” The award honors the highest achievements in affiliate development and contributions.
Utah SHRM was recognized for its successful renaissance after COVID-19 threatened to dissolve its network and conference.
Recognizing the pandemic as a pivotal moment, the Utah SHRM Council established an organizational structure that enhanced its communication, transparency, and collaboration, including a top-ranking onboarding system that facilitated new hires and volunteers.
From these efforts, the 2022 Work Elevated Conference was a success. Honored by the Pinnacle Award, Utah SHRM continues to elevate its capacity to adapt, learn, and elevate its service to the HR community.
History of WECon
The Work Elevated Conference (WECon) has roots in 1987, when it was known as the Crossroads Conference. It was created to facilitate the crossing of paths, providing HR professionals the opportunity to exchange ideas and expertise.
The conference was founded by the Salt Lake Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), formed in 1964 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Today, Utah SHRM organizes the annual conference.
In 2020, under the direction of Elisa Garn, the conference was re-envisioned as the Work Elevated Conference. The transformation parallels Utah’s slogan: Life Elevated.
“Life Elevated” reminds Utah residents to not only elevate how they see the world, but how they see themselves in it. “Work Elevated” does the same for HR practitioners. Our aim is not just to provide solutions for today’s immediate problems, but also to encourage HR practitioners to rethink what their workplace could become — and importantly, the power they have as individuals and teams to bring that future to life.
The WECon Committee makes tremendous effort each year to provide the latest expertise, inspiration, and practical solutions. Over the years, WECon has expanded its learning tracks to Culture and Recruiting, Employment Law, Public Sector, Total Rewards, and HR Master Class.
Now drawing attendees from surrounding states, WECon continues to support National SHRM’s vision of “Better Workplaces for a Better World.”
Timeline
1964
Salt Lake SHRM founded at the height of the Civil Rights movement
1987
First Crossroads Conference facilitating the exchange of expertise among Utah professionals
2001
Utah SHRM founded to advance the interests of the HR profession, serving HR professionals, local SHRM chapters, and the community
2020
Crossroads re-envisioned as the Work Elevated Conference, aiming to elevate the HR profession and businesses across Utah
2025
Next Work Elevated Conference encourages HR professionals to “Celebrate Utah” and achieve extraordinary results