"The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be." — Oprah Winfrey (We're just here to help your benefits strategy do the same.)

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The perfect quote to kick off a blog about the 2026 SHRM Annual Conference in sunny Orlando, Florida.

What does Oprah Winfrey, Orlando, and SHRM all have in common? They're all showing up in a big way in 2026. That's right, the one and only Oprah Winfrey is taking the main stage at this year's SHRM Annual Conference, bringing her legendary insights on vision, culture, and transformation. Whether you're coming for the HR expertise, the chance to network, or just hoping to have an Oprah moment ("You get PDCs! You get PDCs!"), SHRM26 is not a conference you want to miss!

Welcome to SHRM 2026: Orlando Edition 🎡

We're trading in the Pacific breeze for Florida sunshine at the 2026 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Annual Conference, June 16–19 in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center. With powerhouse keynotes, 375+ educational sessions, and a world-class expo, SHRM26 is shaping up to be the most inspiring professional development experience of the year for HR leaders everywhere.

Here's your guide to getting the most out of SHRM26 — including why to attend, what sessions to see, and, of course, where to find Your Money Line while you're there.

Why Attend SHRM 2026?

Let’s talk highlights:

Star-Studded Keynotes

This year’s speaker lineup is no joke:

• Oprah Winfrey — Global media leader and philanthropist. Oprah takes the main stage on Friday, June 19, for a moderated conversation on Leading with Vision: Building Cultures That Inspire, Include, and Transform.
• John Maxwell — Bestselling author, coach, and speaker, internationally recognized as one of the top leadership experts in the world, bringing decades of insight on building people-first cultures.
• Simon Sinek — Celebrated for his influential books Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, and The Infinite Game, and his acclaimed TED Talk "How Great Leaders Inspire Action," which has garnered over 60 million views. His Golden Circle framework has reshaped how organizations think about purpose and leadership.
• Betty Thompson — Chair of the SHRM Board of Directors and former Chief People Officer at Booz Allen, bringing a grounded, practitioner's perspective on the future of HR.

Must-See Sessions at SHRM 2026 (June 16-19)

With more than 375 sessions spanning every major HR focus, SHRM26 is the perfect place to gain insight, strategies, and tools that elevate your organization and your career. Below is a curated guide to key sessions you won’t want to miss:

Tuesday, June 16

From Stigma to Support: How HR Shapes Employee Mental Health

• Time: 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
• Presenter: Chad Sorenson, President, Adaptive HR Solutions
• Overview: Learn how HR professionals can foster open dialogue, connect employees with critical mental health resources, and equip managers to lead with empathy and confidence.

Lead Where It Matters Most: How HR Shapes Leaders, Culture, and Trust

• Time: 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
• Presenter: John Maxwell, Bestselling Author, Coach and Speaker
• Overview: John Maxwell challenges HR leaders to rethink influence, accountability, and trust — and to recognize the unique role they play in strengthening culture and steady leadership through moments of organizational change and uncertainty.

Wednesday, June 17

The Hidden ROI of Mental Health: Building Recovery-Ready Workplaces That Retain and Revitalize Talent

• Time: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
• Presenter: Pamela McGee, CEO, Genuine Executive Management Solutions, LLC
• Overview: Using real case studies and veteran workforce initiatives, this session equips HR leaders with a practical framework for embedding mental health strategies into policies, performance conversations, and leadership development — and connecting employee resilience directly to measurable business outcomes.

The Science of Human Happiness – Boost Engagement, Banish Burnout

• Time: 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
• Presenter: Rob Dublin, Keynote Speaker, RD Creative LLC
• Overview: This session reframes happiness as a teachable, practical skill — and shows HR leaders how small daily behavioral shifts can reverse burnout, reignite engagement, and create a healthier emotional climate across the entire organization.

The Global Employee Experience: What's Shaping Attraction, Engagement, and Retention Worldwide

• Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Presenter: Ashley Miller, Director of Operations and Partnerships SHRM, Darroon Jalil, Senior Researcher SHRM
• Overview: Drawing on fresh 2026 data from SHRM's Global Employee Monitor, this session translates worldwide trends in engagement, job satisfaction, and workforce expectations into actionable insights HR leaders can apply immediately to strengthen their employee value proposition across borders

Global Pay Strategies: How to Compensate Your International Employees Effectively and Equitably

• Time: 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
• Presenter: John Rubino, President, Rubino Consulting Services
• Overview: This session equips HR leaders with a real-world global compensation framework, covering total rewards, mobility decisions, and country-specific nuances, so organizations can attract, retain, and engage top talent equitably across every market they operate in.

Return on Intelligence: Move AI ROI Beyond Cost to Competitive Advantage

• Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Presenter: Paul Carney, Founder, Ishtot, Inc.
• Overview: Learn how to shift the C-suite conversation from what AI saves to what intelligence it creates, and leave with a practical framework for turning AI investment into lasting competitive advantage.

Thursday, June 18

‍The Recovery Friendly Workplace: A People-First Approach to Workforce Well-Being & Inclusive Culture

• Time: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
• Presenter: Cheryl Brown Merriwether, Founder - Principal Consultant
• Overview: Learn how the evidence-based Recovery Friendly Workplace framework reduces stigma, strengthens morale, and shifts organizations from reactive policies to a proactive culture that drives engagement, belonging, and retention.

Creating Resilient Leaders Who Thrive in Turbulent Times

• Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Presenter: Rob Dubin, Keynote Speaker, RD Creative LLC
• Overview: Drawing on extraordinary real-life experiences and decades of interviewing top performers, Rob Dubin shares his Purpose–Mindset–Action framework to help leaders transform disruption into opportunity and guide their teams with clarity and confidence.

‍Mental Health Isn't a Perk — It's a Workplace Priority

• Time: 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
• Presenter: April Simpkins, Workplace Strategist & Mental Health Advocate, April Simpkins Enterprise
• Overview: April Simpkins challenges HR leaders to move beyond mental health awareness and into proactive, sustainable strategies — embedding mental wellbeing into leadership, policy, and daily workplace practices as a core business priority.

Future Forward: Insights from the WorkplaceTech Accelerator on What's Next in HR Tech

• Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Presenter: WorkplaceTech Accelerator Founders Panel
• Overview: A dynamic panel of HR tech founders share firsthand insights on the trends, tools, and innovations reshaping the employee lifecycle, and what HR leaders should be doing now to stay ahead of the next wave of digital transformation.

Friday, June 19

Leading with Vision: Building Cultures That Inspire, Include, and Transform

• Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
• Presenter: Oprah Winfrey, Global Media Leader and Philanthropist, Betty Thompson, Chair, SHRM Board of Directors
• Overview: In this landmark Main Stage conversation, Oprah Winfrey explores what it truly means to lead through change and complexity — and how HR leaders can build workplace cultures where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to do their best work.

AI, Automation, and Job Transformation in U.S. Employment

• Time: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
• Presenter: Justin Ladner, Senior Labor Economist, SHRM
• Overview: Cutting through the noise with new SHRM survey data, this session offers HR leaders an objective, nuanced look at how AI and automation are actually reshaping individual occupations and work activities, and what that means for building a future-ready workforce.

Evening Entertainment & Networking

After long days of learning, the fun doesn't stop when the sessions do. On Thursday, June 18, SHRM26 After Hours takes over Disney's Hollywood Studios from 8–11 PM, included with all paid in-person registrations.

Think shorter wait times on popular attractions, food, drinks, and networking with HR professionals from around the world in one of the most iconic venues on the planet. Shuttle service is provided from all SHRM26 hotel block hotels, courtesy of Paycom. Want to bring a guest? Add-on passes are available for $195 per person.

Maximize Your SHRM 2026 Experience

Plan Your Visit

Here are a few tips for making the most of your time in San Diego:

• Get to sessions early for good seats
• Take good notes so you can put info into action when you return
• Schedule expo visits during quieter times
• Bookmark your must-see booths (like ours 👀)
• Wear comfy shoes — trust us
• Bring business cards or a digital QR code for networking
• Download handouts in advance
• Stay hydrated and pack that refillable water bottle
• Make dinner reservations — we recommend the dining at Disney Springs or exploring the local spots along International Drive
• Book your Disney's Hollywood Studios shuttle early for SHRM26 After Hours — you won't want to miss it

Visit Your Money Line at Booth 1437

Interested in making financial wellness more than just a buzzword at your workplace? Come chat with us! At Your Money Line, we believe in bringing clarity, support, and confidence to your employees’ financial lives.

Visit us to:

• Learn how financial wellness benefits can help employees feel less lost about their money
• Explore how our coaching and tools fit seamlessly into your benefits strategy
• Pick up some free tote bags and HR stickers
• Enter to win a Barefoot Dreams Blanket

We’ll be at Booth 1347 — stop by and say hello!

Enjoy Orlando 🌞

Orlando in June? There's more to explore than you might think. If you can swing it, extend your stay and take in some Florida magic:

• Disney Springs — world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment without a park ticket required
• Winter Park — charming brick streets, boutique shops, and some of the best brunch spots in the city, just 20 minutes away
• Lake Eola Park — a peaceful downtown escape with beautiful fountain views, perfect for a morning walk
• Universal's CityWalk — dining, live music, and entertainment right at the gates of Universal Studios
• The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — a stunning venue worth checking for shows during your stay

Why Your Money Line?

We know HR leaders are always looking for ways to meaningfully support employee well-being — especially around money. At Your Money Line, we partner with employers to deliver empathetic financial coaching, easy-to-use tools, and real results.

We're excited to help you bring financial clarity to your workforce.

Looking Ahead

As we get ready for SHRM26, let's bring the same energy Oprah brings to every room she walks into — but with more HR data and a few more PDCs. Whether you're coming to grow your knowledge, network like a pro, or be moved by world-class speakers, SHRM26 in Orlando is where HR leaders will gather to shape the future of work.

So pack your sunscreen, bring your curiosity, and don't forget to swing by our booth. We can't wait to see you there! 🌴

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