Recently, I enjoyed attending the NPAworldwide Global Conference in Philadelphia—a truly energizing and productive event. This annual gathering offered a chance to reconnect with long-standing members and build new relationships within our global recruitment network. It was also wonderful to see most of the NPAworldwide Staff in attendance, supporting our members and engaging so well with everyone. We are a BIG network with a small but mighty staff who is just as passionate about our network as we are!
The conference agenda was both relevant and forward-thinking. We were fortunate to hear from outstanding keynote speakers who each brought a unique perspective to the evolving world of recruiting. We were inspired by practical strategies for candidate engagement and business development. We learned powerful insights on building personal branding and sourcing top talent in competitive markets. We also learned how to leverage technology and stay ahead of industry trends.
Equally valuable were the breakout sessions organized by our Practice Group Leaders. These smaller, focused discussions created space for honest dialogue around pressing challenges and new opportunities. Hot topics included navigating increasingly complex client relationships, understanding shifting candidate expectations, and the growing importance of embracing technology and AI tools. The sessions served as a collaborative platform to exchange best practices and explore innovative solutions.
One of my favorite sessions was led by an expert panel that included members Andrew Thoseby (Australia), Melanie Johnson (EMEA), Parvathy Krishnan (Asia), and Patti Steen (Americas) and moderated by Kimberly Chesney (Canada). You can’t get much more global than that! This panel shared insights on global trends shaping industries in 2025 and offered suggestions on strategically positioning ourselves to take full advantage of these developments.
In addition to the learning and networking opportunities, we recognized several of our members for their outstanding contributions to the network and beyond. During this year’s Awards Luncheon, we were proud to celebrate several prestigious awards:
- 2025 Chairman’s Award Winner: Taufik Arief (NPA 8056, People Search International). Taufik’s leadership, innovation, and dedication have greatly enriched NPAworldwide, and his contributions will continue to benefit the organization for years to come. It was wonderful to have Taufik’s beautiful wife and lovely daughters in attendance to witness him receiving this recognition.
- Volunteer of the Year: Brian Small (NPA 7525, Prime Management Group), in recognition of his consistent and impactful engagement.
- New Volunteer of the Year: Chris Wessell (NPA 1049, People Wise), whose fresh energy and commitment have already made a meaningful difference.
- Community Service Award: Lori Laird (NPA 3666, Davidson Laird, Inc.), recognized for her years-long involvement with the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky and her dedication to making a lasting impact in the community.
Another significant milestone was when our President, Kerry Crockett, introduced the new NPAworldwide branding and marketing initiative. Newly revamped materials will be available on NPA Central very soon!
As always, one of the most significant takeaways from the conference was the reminder of the strength of the NPAworldwide network. The collaboration, shared knowledge, and mutual support among members continues to set this community apart.
I left the event reenergized and optimistic about the future. Conferences like these reaffirm the value of connection and the fact that when we work together, we grow together.