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Coastal Bend Society for Human Resource Management

HOLIDAY INN DOWNTOWN MARINA

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX


CONFERENCE AGENDA

September 24, 2026

 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Registration & Welcome Breakfast   
 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM Welcome
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM 

Opening Session:

           "Beyond Engagement: Building a Thriving Workplace Through Human Flourishing"

              Laural Logan-Fain, PhD

              Ladies Professional Golf Association


9:45 AM - 10:00 AM  Wellness Break & Expo Visit
10:00 AM -  10:50 AM Breakout Sessions #1 
   

     A) "Leading/Managing Employees Older Than You"

              Katherine Roberto, PhD

              Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

 

   

     B) "Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Uses in Human Resources"

              Michelle Cox, PhD

              VATX Consulting


10:50 AM -  11:10 AM Wellness Break & Expo Visit
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM  Breakout Sessions #2 
   

      A) "HEADLINE NEWS: BREAKING LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW DEVELOPMENTS"

              Shavonne Smith, JD

              Ogletree Deakins


   

      B) "The Risk of AI in Leadership "

              James Reidinger, SHRM-CP

        ReconMR


12:00 PM - 1:00 PM  Lunch & Networking Break 
 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 

Keynote Session:

             "Fueling HR Resilience"

             Michael Laidler

             Michael Laidler Unlimited


2:00 PM - 2:50 PM  Breakout Sessions #3 
   

      A) "EEOC: Navigating Recent Legal Shifts in Workplace Protections"

             Dr. Ernesto Escobedo, PhD, JD, SHRM-CP

             Texas A&M University - San Antonio

   

      B) "Employee Wellness: Talk Well, Live Well, Work Well"

             Mendy Meurer-Busby, MA

             Del Mar College


 2:50 PM - 3:10 PM  Wellness Break & Expo Visit
3:10 PM - 3:30 PM  Sponsor Recognitions 

3:30 PM -



4:30 PM




Closing Session:

"Developing Next Generation of Leaders"

       Matthew Westmoreland

             Corpus Christi Athletic Club


 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM Closing Remarks & SHRM Foundation Raffles 
     
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM  Networking Social/Reception 


September 25, 2026

7:30 AM -                      8:00 AM              Registration & Welcome Breakfast                                                                                                                        
8:00 AM -                                                           10:00 AM                                                   

Conference Workshop #1

"Stark Raving Fans: A Breakthrough Method for Massive Employee Engagement, Performance, and Retention"

             Ian Watts

             Employee Success Company

            

In today’s war for top talent, and AI integration, organizations are still spending more than ever on recruiting while struggling to properly engage and retain the people they already have for superior results. What if the solution isn’t another perk, bonus, or policy, but a fundamentally different leadership approach?

In this session, Ian Watts introduces a breakthrough framework for turning ordinary employees into “Stark Raving Fans” of their work and organization. Drawing from two decades of experience building and scaling teams across industries, Ian reveals the hidden drivers of engagement and the simple yet powerful leadership practices that create loyalty, ownership, and peak performance.

Participants will discover how to activate the core driver of behavior and implement the ACTS Method, a breakthrough model that drives massive engagement. Resulting in stronger culture, dramatically lower turnover, and a workforce that is energized, committed, and invested in the success of the organization.





10:00 AM - 

10:15 AM

Wellness & Networking Break  


10:15 AM -                              


12:15 PM


Conference Workshop #2

             AI in HR

             Teri R. Moten, MBA, CAIO

            Founder and AI Strategist, Your Business Problem Solver


In this interactive, demo-driven workshop, Teri R. Moten, MBA, CAIO will guide HR professionals through real-world ways to use AI as a strategic thought partner — not a replacement. You’ll explore how AI can boost efficiency, elevate your decision-making, and help you lead with greater impact, while also gaining clarity on how to align AI use with your organization’s evolving policies.

This session blends practical tools with mindset shifts. You’ll leave knowing exactly how to start using AI personally and professionally — all while keeping the human element at the center of it all. Since not all companies and organizations have put governance policies in place, I also want to show people a few personal use cases for AI. This way they are not behind in using the tools and there won't be such a steep learning curve when a company does decide to adopt AI. Part of AI adoption and integration are showing people safe ways they can use it for themselves/family, etc. so the stigma of "it's overwhelming tech" is removed







Coastal Bend SHRM          PO BOX 6927, Corpus Christi, TX 78466 membership@cbshrm.org


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