The HR Summit is back, better than ever, and with a new name and logo!
The 2026 People at Work Summit (formerly the HR Summit) will be held on Thursday, October 15th, 2026 on the Appalachian State University Campus in Boone, NC and live via Zoom!
The 2026 edition will once again feature hands-on, in-person master class workshops on the morning of Friday, October 16.
Why Change the Name?
The new name and logo are an evolution of the HR Summit, reflecting that this event has been and is relevant to more than just HR professionals. You will still find all the good HR stuff you have become accustomed to, but the new name is intended to invite all professionals and business leaders into the conversation.
The 2026 Appalachian People at Work Summit brings together all phases of work:
- how all people collaborate in the workplace;
- how all leaders direct and inspire others in their organizations; and
- how all teams and individuals grow and adapt to maximize their capabilities.
Make plans to join us, along with your fellow HR professionals, business professionals, and leaders, to learn from one another and explore best practices for translating complex changes and challenges into actionable strategies.
Registration Will Open in August!!
Early registration ends on October 1.
Registration includes breakfast and lunch, as well as plenary and breakout sessions.
Discounts are available for groups of 4 or more. See HR Summit registration page for more details.
"Into the Great Unknown with Purpose"
The theme of the 2026 Appalachian People at Work Summit is "Into the Great Unknown with Purpose". This theme reflects that the future of work is uncertain, but that uncertainty also creates opportunity. As emerging technologies, shifting workforce expectations, legal and regulatory changes, and new skill demands continue to reshape the workplace, HR and business leaders are called to lead with confidence and purpose.
This year’s summit will bring together HR professionals, practitioners, business leaders, and industry experts to explore how organizations can navigate change while keeping people and purpose at the center of their strategy. Sessions will highlight pressing topics such as artificial intelligence, legal updates, workforce and succession planning, leadership accountability, coaching, upskilling and reskilling, early career employment, and organizational change and readiness.
Join us as we examine how to translate uncertainty into action, strengthen our organizations for the future, and lead with purpose through the unknown!
Past Partners and Corporate Attendees
Certification Credits
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)-
The IOHRM program is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. The IOHRM program has applied to offer 6.0 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® for attending the HR Summit (Thursday, October 9) and 3.0 credits for attending a Master Class (Friday, October 10).
HR Certification Institute (HRCI) -
The IOHRM program has consistently been approved to provide HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) recertification credits. Credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HRCI® are expected to be offered. The IOHRM program has applied to offer 6.0 credits for attending the HR Summit (Thursday, October 9) and 3.0 credits for attending a Master Class (Friday, October 10).
HR Summit and IOHRM Master's Program
All proceeds from the HR Summit, and all IOHRM professional development activities, go to enhance our IOHRM students' educational and research experiences.
To learn more about the activities in which the IOHRM students are engaged, please visit our IOHRM newsfeed or the HR Science Research Team page.