CultureCon West 2024 was our largest West Coast event yet, bringing together over 350 attendees from five countries and 33 U.S. states to Las Vegas for two days of inspiration, connection, and innovation. Hosted at Planet Hollywood, the conference featured thought-provoking sessions, actionable insights, and experiential connection activities designed to shape the future of work.
Attendees made the most of the networking opportunities, logging a record setting 2,269 connections using the Covve app. These connections also helped power our Giving Back Fund, raising over $5,100 for our nonprofit partners.
From exploring AI’s role in workplace culture to reimagining mental wellness initiatives, CultureCon West 2024 delivered a transformative experience for all who attended. Here are the top takeaways from this year’s event:
1. Shaping the Future Through Purpose and Values
Speaker: Eric Hutcherson, EVP Chief People and Inclusion Officer, Universal Music Group
As Chief People and Inclusion Officer at Universal Music Group (UMG), Eric Hutcherson leads a global team dedicated to aligning talent strategies with the company’s entrepreneurial culture and accelerating diversity and inclusion efforts. Drawing on his extensive experience in leadership roles across industries, including the NBA and global financial services, Eric has become a trailblazer in creating values-driven cultures that foster innovation, attract top talent, and promote equity at every level.
In his session, "The New EVP: Building a Values-Driven Company," Eric provided a masterclass on how organizations can leverage purpose and values to drive employee engagement and organizational performance. He broke down the components of an effective employee value proposition (EVP), explaining how to craft an EVP that resonates with employees and reflects the company’s mission authentically.
Eric also shared practical strategies for embedding values into daily operations, from recruitment and retention to leadership decision-making. Using real-world examples from his career, he illustrated how aligning corporate culture with a strong sense of purpose can foster trust, amplify employee satisfaction, and ultimately, create a lasting competitive advantage.
Key takeaway: Perceptions matter. By building a purpose-driven culture that authentically aligns with company values, organizations can attract and retain top talent while driving meaningful business outcomes.
2. Talent Branding: The Secret to Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent
Speaker: Charlie Saffro, CEO and Founder, CS Recruiting
Charlie Saffro’s session, "Unveiling Your Competitive Edge: The Power of a Strong Talent Brand for Recruitment and Retention," explored the critical role of a well-defined talent brand in today’s competitive job market. From identifying company values and selling points to creating a comprehensive talent brand marketing strategy, attendees learned actionable techniques for building a brand that resonates with both current employees and prospective talent.
Charlie shared the importance of leveraging a strong talent brand to boost employee engagement, enhance reputation, and reduce recruiting costs—all while positioning the company as an employer of choice.
Key takeaway: A strong talent brand isn’t just about recruitment; it’s a powerful tool for retention, engagement, and long-term success. By aligning company values with a compelling talent brand strategy, organizations can create a lasting competitive edge.
3. Bridging the Gap Between DEIB and HR for Meaningful Impact
Speaker: Nancy Moricette, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice, World Education Services
Nancy Moricette’s session, "Investing in Acorns to Develop Oak Trees," tackled the disconnect between DEIB initiatives led by HR or DEI departments and the actual employee experience of equity and belonging. She explored how an intentional partnership between HR and DEIB teams can align organizational strategy with employees' lived experiences.
Through two internal case studies—a Learning and Development roadmap and an Employee Relations approach—Nancy shared actionable steps for driving long-term DEIB success. Attendees left with tools like a DEIB/HR Strategic Overview template and a framework to evaluate their organization’s maturity in integrating DEIB initiatives.
Key takeaway: Organizations can unlock cultural transformation by creating integrated DEIB/HR strategies that foster individual responsibility and collective action while ensuring leadership and employee buy-in.
4. Respectful Leadership: The Key to Thriving Cultures
Speaker: Gregg Ward, Executive Director, The Center for Respectful Leadership
Gregg Ward’s session, "Respect for All: How a Nice-to-Have Has Turned Into an Absolute Organizational Imperative," highlighted the growing importance of respect in today’s workplace. With Millennials and Gen Z making up a significant portion of the workforce, organizations must shift away from traditional leadership styles and embrace Respectful Leadership™ to meet the expectations of this socially conscious and culturally savvy demographic.
Gregg revealed the profound impact of creating Actively Respectful Cultures™ (ARCs) on employee engagement, retention, and performance. His data-driven insights provided a compelling business case for why respect is no longer a nice-to-have but a vital business imperative.
Key takeaway: Respectful Leadership™ is the future of effective leadership. Cultivating active respect drives loyalty, inspires teams to exceed expectations, and builds a thriving organizational culture.
5. Revolutionizing Culture Through Mental Wellness Programs
Speaker: Azizi Marshall, Founder and CEO, Center for Creative Arts Therapy
In an interactive session featuring professional actors, Azizi Marshall spotlighted the growing emphasis on mental health in the workplace. Her session, "Strengthening Mental Wellness in the Workplace: Strategies for Empowering Organizations, Reducing Stigma and Increasing Engagement," highlighted the transition from traditional wellness programs to comprehensive mental and behavioral wellness initiatives that prioritize psychological safety and workplace violence prevention.
Attendees gained practical tools, including a nine-step guide to designing personalized mental health plans and insights into the critical role of mental wellness champions and third-party specialists for effective implementation. Azizi’s roadmap for creating customized wellness programs offered a clear path to reducing stress, enhancing productivity, and decreasing burnout within organizations.
Key takeaway: Personalized mental health programs aren’t just a wellness strategy—they’re a business imperative. By integrating tailored mental wellness initiatives, organizations can foster engagement, improve retention, and drive measurable business outcomes.
BONUS: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Workplace Culture
Panel: Navigating the New Frontier: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Workplace Culture
As AI continues to revolutionize the workplace, CultureCon West 2024 convened an expert panel to explore the dynamic interplay between technological advancement and human-centric work environments. Moderated by Gianna Drive, Chief People Officer at Lattice, this engaging discussion featured insights from thought leaders such as Dr. Julia Wiener, CEO at JW Strategies and Sarita Parikh, SVP Product Strategy, Workplace at Augeo, offering practical strategies for navigating the AI-driven future of work.
Key Themes from the Panel Discussion:
AI-Enhanced Collaboration: Dr. Wiener highlighted how AI can streamline routine tasks like email management, note-taking, and scheduling, allowing employees to focus on their "zones of genius." Sarita emphasized that while AI enhances asynchronous work, it cannot replicate the magic of in-person human connection.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The panelists explored AI’s potential to personalize learning experiences. Sarita shared how AI tools can help employees specialize deeply or build adaptability across diverse skills. Dr. Wiener added the importance of cultivating critical thinking and agility to stay ahead in rapidly evolving industries.
Ethical AI Integration: Addressing fears of job displacement, Sarita stressed the importance of transparency and trust. Leaders must communicate decision-making processes clearly, prioritizing fairness and accountability.
Key takeaway: As AI continues to reshape workplace dynamics, organizations must balance technological innovation with human connection, ensuring inclusivity, ethical practices, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
CultureCon West 2024 was more than just a conference—it was a movement, driving the evolution of workplace culture with actionable insights and deep connections. As the conference demonstrated, the future of work hinges on our ability to foster inclusive, engaging and purpose-driven workplaces. By embracing these takeaways, individuals and organizations can lead the way in creating environments where every employee can thrive.
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About CultureCon:
As a Certified B Corporation®, CultureCon is on a mission to inspire positive change around organizational culture. Through large conferences, online courses, consulting services and certification programs, we deliver experiences that provide practical tools and motivation for our customers to become cultural change agents within their organization. Our customers include business owners, CxOs, HR leaders, managers, individuals and anyone who wants to build more uplifting, inspiring and productive workplaces.
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