March 19, 2026

ASA Staffing World Keynote Announcement: Oz Pearlman Delivers a Smarter Way to Read People and Drive Results

Published March 19, 2026 ■ Announcement

Oz Pearlman is taking the main stage at ASA Staffing World^® 2026 to teach a skill that directly affects your results as a staffing professional—how to assess people more accurately. The ASA annual convention and expo takes place Oct. 12–14 in Denver.

A world-renowned mentalist, and best-selling author of Read Your Mind, Pearlman studies how individuals think, communicate, and signal intent. During this keynote presentation, you’ll learn how to recognize hesitation before it costs you a placement, identify communication styles quickly, and adjust your approach in real time to build trust with clients and candidates. Better conversations lead to fewer surprises, stronger alignment, and improved results. This opening keynote presentation is sponsored by World Wide Specialty, a Division of Philadelphia Insurance Cos., an ASA corporate partner.

Registration for Staffing World 2026 is now open—visit staffingworld.net for more information and to register.

Industrial Hiring Benchmarks Your Staffing Clients Don’t Have Yet

We analyzed 1.2 million applications and surveyed more than 80 industrial hiring leaders. The result is the most detailed benchmark report to date on manufacturing and skilled trades hiring. 97 out of 100 qualified candidates are already employed—here’s how the top teams are reaching them.

There’s a specific day in your hiring process when 75% of candidates are already gone
One skilled trade has a 3.8:1 retirement ratio—and it may be your clients’ most-posted role
88% of hiring leaders share the same No. 1 challenge, and most are solving the wrong part of it

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Become a Business Owner With the No. 1 Staffing Franchise

As an experienced staffing professional, you have the grit, expertise, and people skills to own a staffing business. And with Express Employment Professionals’ exclusive program for industry professionals, you’ll have the financing to help make business ownership a reality. You bring the skill. We’ll bring the capital. Get started today!

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ASA Helps Stop Virginia Bill Threatening International Health Care Recruitment

Published March 19, 2026 ■ ASA Advocacy Update

Legislation in Virginia that would have prohibited employers in the state from requiring workers to repay money or incur financial penalties if they leave a job within a certain period of time has been defeated. The bill sought to ban the use of “stay-or-pay” contracts, defined as employment agreements requiring employees to repay certain costs if they leave a job. As drafted, the legislation would have rendered certain agreements between international recruitment agencies and foreign-educated health care professionals unenforceable. Because these agreements are foundational to the international recruitment model, the bill threatened to effectively eliminate this pathway for bringing qualified health care professionals into Virginia.

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