Worldwide ERC® Global Workforce Symposium gets underway

Around 2,000 delegates are expected to check-in today to one of the world’s largest global mobility gatherings, in Seattle, Washington, for three days of discussion on developments in the sector.

Seattle Washington skyline at dawn
Relocate Global’s managing editor, Fiona Murchie, will be attending the Worldwide ERC® Global Workforce Symposium interviewing speakers and talking to delegates throughout the event for their views on the latest trends in global mobility, domestic and international relocation.Delegates will hear from a wide range of panellists and organisations on topics ranging from global compensation best practice to benchmarking, tax, immigration and legal updates, technology and communication.  
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Connecting successful mobility with effective practices

Mary Beth Nitz, vice president of global consulting services at Altair Global, is leading one of the first sessions of the 2018 Worldwide ERC® Global Workforce Symposium.Linking excellence in mobility practices with productivity, Mary Beth Nitz will discuss the findings from Altair Global’s Momentum International Productivity Study.Talking to Relocate ahead of the 2018 Worldwide ERC® Global Workforce Symposium, Ms Nitz said "I am excited to present the Momentum International Productivity Study, which examines, identifies and validates international mobility-related events determined to have a significant impact on employees’ focus at work.“My session will focus on identifying solutions and program enhancements to address productivity loss and to show the real value of a mobility programme focused on the employee's experience."

What role for data analytics in mobility?

Straight after, Jack Craven, Cartus vice president, and Greg Bonnette, enterprise data & analytics leader, VP strategy & innovation at Ironside Group Inc, will be discussing the burning issue of how data analytics applies to global mobility.With disruption front of relocation and global mobility managers’ minds, the session on “What's Up, Mobility? Disruptors and Change Agents Answer” also promises to offer insight into today’s ever-changing environments.

The disruptors’ view

Peggy Smith, Worldwide ERC® CEO, will host this panel talk with speakers Susan Benevides, CEO of Plus Relocation, Erik Eccles, co-founder and CEO of Urbandoor, Brynne Kennedy, CEO and founder of Topia, and Rajiv Parikh, chief marketing officer of Shyft.Later during Thursday, Shannon Sweeney, senior manager of relocation and corporate services
 at CSX Transportation will moderate the conversation between Jack Jampel, senior manager of global mobility at Stryker, and Marc Rogers, CEO and president of UniGroup Inc, and around the question “The New Debate...Change the Household Goods Model?”Speaking to Relocate before the session, Mr Rogers explained: “Our industry is at a critical point where companies need to decide whether to develop solutions to overcome industry challenges or ignore them and suffer the consequences. A record number of drivers are retiring in the next few years."Qualified labor is becoming more scarce. The cost of doing business in the transportation industry continues to increase. UniGroup, as a leader in the industry, is focused on finding solutions for our customers and partners.”  

People practices and global mobility

Alongside GDPR, security and housing trend updates, the 2018 Worldwide ERC® Global Workforce Symposium’s schedule also has a keen people and HR focus.Global mobility leaders from Nike and Microsoft will answer the vital question of “Do You Know Who You Are Moving?”, while diversity and inspiring the next generation of leaders are also under discussion during the event.Panellist Debbie Convery, Director, Global Programs & Operations and Mobility Practice Lead at Nike, explained: "The mobile workforce continues to change and as we better understand what is changing and why, we need to evolve our programs and practices to better service our customers and support our employees. Nike will share key learnings about what is changing with our mobile workforce, and how we are evolving to meet the needs."To keep up to date with all the latest from the 2018 Worldwide ERC® Global Workforce Symposium, follow the hashtag #ERCGWS.Head to the international assignments section for more news and insight. 
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