Join NJSA for a socially-distant, outdoor happy hour at Par 440 in Short Hills to reconnect with staffing professionals.  Attendees will meet up at the outdoor dining area at Par 440 for a pay-your-own-way happy hour.  

Par 440 is located next to the East Orange Golf Course.  Attendees may want to consider scheduling a tee time with colleagues and then join us at Par 440 after your golf game.  

There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP so NJSA can make a reservation for the group.

NJSA's Annual Conference has been converted to a virtual meeting to be held over three consecutive days.  Our low cost registration fees give attendees the option of registering as an individual for $50 ($100 for non-members) , or companies can send multiple people for a flat rate of $150 ($300 for non-members).  The registration fee includes all three webinars and the virtual happy hour!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Opening Remarks/NJSA Annual Meeting &
"Leading Through Crisis"
Presented by Kelly Merbler

If you are currently in a leadership position, it's safe to say your skills are being tested right this very moment. In particular, human resources teams have a tremendous responsibility right now to lean into the "human" element which is more important than ever. How we lead now in our organizations will show up later. Crisis is the time when real leaders show up and that requires adaptability.

In this program, Kelly Merbler will unpack ways to effectively lead through crisis. This includes learning about practical strategies to maneuver through times of difficulty and adversity, along with details of how to adopt successful habits to help in any crisis.

During this 1-hour virtual Zoom event, which includes live Q&A, you will learn hands-on tips to:

• Lead, not manage, through crisis and understand what your employees need most in a crisis.
• Turn adversity into advantage during this time.
• Learn how to shift from conformity to adaptability as a leader.
• Keep a positive spirit alive in your organization and your teams engaged.

Kelly Merbler spent twenty-one years as a regional executive with a global staffing organization where she was responsible for leading, hiring, developing and building successful sales and operations teams. She knows that the secret of success is hiring good talent, which begins with identifying what people do best and aligning them in the right role for maximum impact.

She discovered her passion in life several years ago while attending a leadership conference where her soon-to-be mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, was the keynote speaker. It was there she became keenly aware of her interest and passion in helping other leaders discover their purpose in life. Since then, she became Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and John Maxwell Certified Speaker, providing a wide variety of leadership and coaching programs to senior leaders and corporate clients, such as Converse, The Florida Staffng Association, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, New York State SHRM, Hotwire Communications and the largest hospital system in Delaware, Bay Health.

Kelly Merbler is the founding Principal of The Kelly Merbler Company, LLC, which is a leadership consulting firm based in South Florida specializing in Strengths-Based employee engagement and retention programs, culture building, keynote speaking and leadership development programs.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2020
4:00 - 5:00  p.m.
"Making the Most of the Critical First Interview"
Presented by John Ruffini

There is arguably nothing more important during a placement cycle than the initial interview/screen between the recruiter and the candidate. This is where the relationship starts (and also where it ends sometimes based on how this meeting goes!). This is a recruiter’s golden opportunity to obtain vital information from the candidate – information a recruiter must have in order to be successful. If executed thoroughly and effectively, the recruiter will be able to assert their influence over the rest of the placement process. If not, however, the recruiter will inevitably go into ‘sell’ mode, hoping for the best. And we all know that hope is not a good strategy. This session will cover how to efficiently navigate through that initial candidate interview and will touch on key pieces of information that should be obtained in that first meeting. Attendees will walk away with the ability to create and execute a structured first candidate interview as well as with the knowledge of how information – the right information – is a recruiter’s best asset.

John Ruffini is the Vice President of Professional Development for HealthTrust Workforce Solutions. Ruffini has over 25 years of experience in the recruiting and staffing industry, with responsibilities ranging from organizational management, strategic planning, staff recruitment and development, and full Profit & Loss management. As a mentor, motivator and a team builder, he has a remarkable track record of growing revenues, increasing profitability, and retaining top talent within organizations.

Prior to joining HealthTrust, Ruffini established himself as a leader in in the industry with respect to professional development at two large, national staffing firms, heading up the permanent placement side of the business. He has also run his own recruiting and career management company. Industry verticals he has served include Healthcare, Information Technology, Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Engineering, and Operations. Areas of expertise include training & development, mentorship & coaching, recruitment & retention, sales training, sales management, conflict resolution, business planning, and overall tactical and strategic leadership.

Ruffini is active within the American Staffing Association, serving as a past Chair for their Search and Placement Council, and has presented at Staffing World the past six years. He is the author of the Amazon Best Seller “Money Makers – Proven Ways to Increase Sales and Productivity in the World of Professional Recruiting.” He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from The University of Maryland at College Park.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
"Looking Into the Crystal Ball for 2021"
Panel Discussion

2020 has been a very unique year for all of us.  What does 2021 hold in store for the staffing industry? A panel of NJSA's industry partners will share their expectations for their specific niche in 2021.  Confirmed panelists include:

• Michael Cleary, TAC Benefits Group
• Vince Grillo, Access Capital
• More information to come!

Join us immediately following the October 8th session for a virtual happy hour from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.