The 16th HRSE (HR Summit & Expo), the region’s largest knowledge exchange and best-practise event for HR professionals, has opened in Dubai with exhibitors saying the 2019 event will mark a turning point for the Gulf’s HR industry as demands for increased workplace tolerance, wellbeing and adoption of advanced technology transform the entire sector landscape.

HRSE, which runs at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until November 6, is expected to attract upwards of 5,000 HR professionals from over 60 countries and will host top employers from regional and international organisations including Expo 2020 Dubai, NASA Space, Estee Lauder Companies, Facebook, Zandel, Etisalat, and the World Bank.

The event’s knowledge-sharing programme features over 130 educational sessions, including 70 free-to-attend seminars through which HR professionals can earn CPD points, led by over 140 local, regional and international industry speakers. The highly interactive visitor experience spans two summits, one devoted to strategy, the other to technology, as well as live product demos, speed-networking, meditation sessions, book signings, a coaching hub, a start-up pitch competition and the wellness and happiness zones.

Exhibitors are clear that workplace tolerance, well-being and technology adoption are the three key themes driving disruption throughout the sector. Paul Michael Gledhill, co-founder of digital learning, talent and performance at XpertLearning, says technology adoption will be key to ensuring organisation excellence within the HR industry. At HRSE, XpertLearning is demonstrating the latest in eLearning content development and integrated talent management software which, says Gledhill, can facilitate career mobility and keep employees happy, productive and operating to their full potential.

“HR Technology is advancing. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are the biggest subjects discussed in the industry these days. Chatbots, also a part of AI, are another major HR trend and organisations are incorporating these technologies to answer inquiries, manage the recruitment process and so on. The need for upskilling and continuous learning is increasing and so is digital learning. Software advancement is becoming an integral part of HR for big data analysis and talent management,” he explained.

Technology is also expected to play a role in advancing workplace wellness – an issue Health Insurance Provider and the event’s headline sponsor MetLife Gulf says is now a prime industry focus. “We have been witnessing increased demand for employer-sponsored wellbeing programs in today’s ever-evolving workforce,” explained Andrew Stocker, Head of Employee Benefits at MetLife Gulf. “As one of the leaders and early investors in the Gulf wellness space, we aim to entice organizations across different industries and sectors in the region to adopt wellness solutions that value the personal health and wellbeing of their employees.”

Interactive highlights mirror the ‘where wellness meets technology’ approach with a dedicated tech zone, HR tech & innovation stage, a start-up hub, a coaching hub by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a wellness zone hosted by AXA Insurance.

The HRSE 2019 speaker line-up is led by bestselling New York Times author Marcus Buckingham, whose ADP Research Institute recently published ‘The Global Study of Engagement Technical Report’ which identified the UAE as having the world’s most engaged workforce. Also taking to the speaker podium is world-renowned motivational speaker and first blind man to race to the South Pole, Mark Pollock, who is an advocate of workplace tolerance.

Other headline speakers lined up to inspire HR and business leaders to be the changemakers needed to elevate their workforce, workplace, and the global world of work include ‘Digital Evangelist’ David Shing; Kory Kogon from FranklinCovey; Michael Platt, a Professor of Neuroscience at The Wharton School; and Tammy Erickson, the McKinsey award-winning author and professor at London Business School.

“Our speakers are at the forefront of HR disruption and thought-leaders in the digital space. Together they are exploring aspects of leadership, technology and overall employee experience as they deep dive into millennial talent, tolerance, agile HR practices, and championing change in an evolving business world,” explained Alan Kelly, Commercial & Strategy Director, HR Summit & Expo.

HRSE 2019 is supported by headline sponsors: Daman, London Business School, Oracle, Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and MetLife; Headline sponsor and Exclusive Happiness Sponsor: HONO HR; Strategic Partner: FranklinCovey Middle East; Platinum Sponsors: Cornerstone, XpertLearning, Cubiks and Headspring Limited; Gold Sponsors: Emirates HR | Zurich Middle East, Cambridge Assessment English and Gallup; Silver Sponsor: Cigna Insurance Middle East and Wellness Partner: AXA. Tomorrow will see the kick-off of the Future Workplace Awards, which showcase the best HR talent in the Middle East and honours HR professionals in government and the private sector for their outstanding contributions in creating a high-performing workforce for the future.

For more information on HRSE 2019, visit: www.hrsummitexpo.com