This morning, Tara Berger (@TaraAtBeyond) posted her Top 10 Reasons to Attend SHRM09 on Twitter. In was in that spirit that this post was born…
I’ve been crying myself to sleep every night for the past few weeks, because SHRM09 is coming, and it’s coming on fast. I’m not the only one not able to attend the party, but I am the only one who will be posting a list of excuses for not attending.
- The judge said I can’t cross state lines.
- My boss won’t let me.
- I haven’t paid that much money for a car, much less a trip.
- They didn’t invite me to speak. Like I’m not up to Jack Welch-level or something. Whatever.
- Networking? Pfft. Who needs it?
- I am quite confident that I know everything already.
- Going to NOLA and having time off work? Where’s the fun in that?
- I’m terrified of the scary people who will be there.
- It’s SO much more fun to Twitter than actually DO anything.
- I have more time to look forward to SHRM 2010. (Woohoo! Anticipation, baby!)
In all seriousness, I hope everyone stays safe, learns a lot, drops great tweets (with the #SHRM09 hashtag), and remembers all of us “left behind” on the battlefield. Have fun!
June 16th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Ben – I love the list and hopefully you’ll make it in ‘10! I’m personally really looking forward to seeing the scary person you mention above and hope that my blogs and tweets from #SHRM09 will be useful to folks unable to attend.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
@Kari Thanks for the kind words! I really would LOVE to go this year, but it’s not in the cards. Hopefully next year can be twice as fun! We’re all waiting with bated breath for the SHRM09 tweets to come rolling in!
June 16th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Ben, love the list. I’m right there with you; won’t be attending this year, but would love to. Sounds like fun though. I was able to attend a couple of years ago in Las Vegas & it was GREAT! Maybe 2010
June 16th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I think you and I should team up to give all the #SHRM09 attendees the scoop on what they are missing back here in the field. We need a hashtag! lol
I’m in in ‘10 w/ya!
June 16th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
@Trish You are in charge of hashtags… I need a shirt.
“Enjoy SHRM09. I’ll be stealing your DVD player.” 
June 16th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Nice list Ben. Shauna (the HR Minion) and I are planning a special #HRHappyHour and hoping to line up some guests to call in from SHRM and give a live report. Details are forthcoming, but I am sure it will be a good time.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Ben, we HAVE to get to SHRM 2010.
Maybe we should drive cross-country and pick-up the cool HR folks who can’t afford to go. Then we could all camp outside the convention center. It’ll be awesome!
Or we could just figure out a way to pay for it like normal people do
June 17th, 2009 at 2:44 am
@CCC Swing by and pick me up! I’m going to SHRM09 but I have my sights set on SHRM10 too, never been to California.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:46 am
That’s an excellent idea! Can’t wait to see what you and Shauna have in store.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:46 am
That’s always an option…
The hippie HR crowd.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:47 am
You’re a traitor. Move along.
I haven’t either, and it sounds like FUN.