ASA is looking for subject matter experts in the staffing industry to share their experience and expertise with the ASA community in 2026. Submit a proposal for Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, which next year takes place Oct. 12–14 in Denver, CO. Proposals for Staffing World breakout sessions—interactive presentations between 60 and 75 minutes long—are due Jan. 31. Proposals for Demo Stage talks—10-minute presentations about industry products, emerging trends, or compelling questions—are due May 31.

ASA also is accepting proposals for ASA Webinars—virtual programs, typically 60 minutes long, generally held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. Eastern time. ASA webinar proposals are accepted throughout the year.

For more information and to start your submission, visit americanstaffing.net/presenters.

The association’s quarterly Staffing Employment and Sales Survey for the third quarter of 2025 will only be open for a couple more weeks. Staffing companies that complete the brief survey by Nov. 21 will have access to an exclusive report on the results, enhanced with graphs.

The data collected by this survey enable ASA to track staffing sales and gross margin trends and provide direct hire metrics. Register to take the survey, or view the questionnaire, at americanstaffing.net/quarterly-survey. If you have questions or did not receive a survey link, send an email to research@americanstaffing.net. There are no fees to participate.

If you were thinking about submitting an application to serve on an ASA committee or council in 2026, you now have a bit more time to do so—the deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, Nov. 10.

Be a part of the team that helps develop ASA programs, resources, and events for the staffing industry. Volunteering isn’t just about giving your time, it also can help you grow your network, build new skills, and have a role in shaping the industry you care about.

No matter your schedule, there’s a committee or council that’s the right fit for you. Learn about all the available volunteer opportunities at asacentral.americanstaffing.net and apply to volunteer in 2026.

ASA provides a resource designed for staffing industry professionals interested in being part of valuable mentoring relationships—and there’s still time to get involved in improving professionalism within the industry by serving as a mentor to your colleagues. The deadline for mentor applications has been extended to this Friday, Nov. 7. The ASA Mentor Match program allows members on both sides of the mentoring relationship to make valuable industry connections and gain insight from staffing peers.

Participants are paired based on areas of expertise for a six-month period. Submit your application now for the six-month cycle that begins in January—visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to learn more and get started as a mentor.

ASA is currently seeking dedicated members to serve on volunteer committees and councils. Serve on an ASA committee or council in 2026 for your chance to shape the future of staffing while growing your own career. Volunteering takes just a small time commitment but delivers big benefits, new connections, leadership experience, and a direct role in strengthening the industry.

Applications are due this Friday, Oct. 31. Don’t miss your opportunity to join the 2026 ASA volunteer community and make a contribution to the industry. Learn about all the available volunteer opportunities at asacentral.americanstaffing.net.

Staffing employment increased during the week of Oct. 13–19, with the ASA Staffing Index growing by 1.1% to a rounded value of 92. Staffing companies cited no one primary factor that hindered growth. Staffing jobs were 2.2% higher compared with the same period last year, up slightly from 2.0% recorded the previous week.

New starts also increased in the 42nd week of the year, up by 1.0% from the prior week. Almost four in 10 staffing companies (38%) reported gains in new assignments week to week, a little below the average of 42% so far in 2025.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average increased from the previous week while holding at a rounded value of 91. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Oct. 19 was 1.4% higher than during the same period in 2024.

“The staffing industry continues to make steady progress in what is otherwise a sluggish year for the labor market, with the ASA Staffing Index marking its sixth week of positive year-to-year growth,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA. “Despite economic headwinds, the recent gains forged by staffing companies raise a higher platform to build from in 2026.”

Today is National Mentoring Day—the largest celebration of mentoring in the world, taking place each year on Oct. 27. ASA celebrates the mentors and mentees that have dedicated their time to advancing the industry and who have made ASA Mentor Match a success. Through this program, staffing professionals make valuable connections, define career goals, enhance leadership skills, and gain insights from peers. If you’d like to get involved, sign up by Friday, Oct. 31, for the six-month cycle that begins in January.

Plus, register for tomorrow’s ASA webinar “Mentoring That Works: Building Stronger Mentor–Mentee Relationships,” 2–3 p.m. Eastern time. Seth Stein of Eastridge Workforce Management will discuss how—and why—to build strong mentoring relationships and foster a culture of mentorship.

ASA is currently seeking dedicated members to serve on volunteer committees and councils. Serve on an ASA committee or council in 2026 for your chance to shape the future of staffing while growing your own career. Volunteering takes just a small time commitment but delivers big benefits, new connections, leadership experience, and a direct role in strengthening the industry.

Applications are due next Friday, Oct. 31. Don’t miss your opportunity to join the 2026 ASA volunteer community and make a contribution to the industry. Learn about all the available volunteer opportunities at asacentral.americanstaffing.net.

Last week ASA launched its new E2E Podcast: From Entry Level to Executive, a semimonthly series of in-depth interviews with executives, leaders, and trailblazers who have made an impact in the professional world.

Hear guests share their personal career stories, the decisions that shaped their path, and their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities they face on a daily basis. The first episode—featuring ASA board member Ranjini Poddar, co-founder and chief executive officer of Artech LLC—is available now. Subscribe today for strategies, insights, and inspirational stories shaping the future of staffing.

One of the best ways to grow, personally and professionally, is to step outside your comfort zone. ASA volunteers lead and contribute in so many meaningful ways—developing resources, planning webinars and networking calls, shaping sessions at ASA events, and supporting initiatives like “AI in Staffing” week.

Volunteering is your opportunity to connect with peers, build new skills, and make a lasting impact on the staffing industry. Log in to ASA Central and apply today for 2026 volunteer opportunities.