Staffing World^® 2024 wraps up today at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. Keep up with what’s going on as the ASA annual convention and expo reaches its exciting finale—connect with ASA on social media and look for posts and photos under the #StaffingWorld hashtag.

Yesterday’s super session featured keynote presenter Erica Dhawan (sponsored by LinkedIn), and introduced Amanda Alexander, Ph.D., the 2025 National Staffing Employee of the Year (sponsored by PMC Insurance Group).

Breakout sessions began today at 9:15 a.m. and continue to 2:30 p.m. Central time. The expo is open until 1:30 p.m. and is the location of the Knowledge Hub (sponsored by Benefits in a Card), where you can find Speed Talks and Tech Talks, as well as ASA Cares LIVE—Pawvana, where you can destress by playing with puppies until 12 noon (sponsored by Avionté).

Staffing World then concludes with the Super Session at 2:45 p.m., featuring keynote presenter Debbie Peterson (sponsored by ConverzAI) and the presentation of the ASA Elevate Awards.

Staffing World^® 2024 continues today and tomorrow at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN, bringing together all functions, experience levels, and segments of the staffing industry for unprecedented learning, networking, and collective advancement.

Today the ASA annual convention and expo got started with the Super Session featuring keynote presenter Erica Dhawan (sponsored by LinkedIn), the ASA annual membership meeting, and presentation of the 2025 National Staffing Employee of the Year Award (sponsored by PMC Insurance Group). Breakout sessions are happening from 11:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central time, and the expo—where you can find the Knowledge Hub (sponsored by Benefits in a Card) and Author Talks at the Staffing World Bookstore—is open until 7:30 p.m.

Tomorrow, breakout sessions start at 9:15 a.m. and continue to 2:30 p.m., and the expo will be open from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Then Staffing World concludes with the Super Session, featuring keynote presenter Debbie Peterson (sponsored by ConverzAI), and the presentation of the ASA Elevate Awards.

If you aren’t able to attend the ASA annual convention and expo in person, you can connect on social media—search for the #StaffingWorld hashtag to learn about what’s happening.

Staffing employment declined during the week of Oct. 7–13, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing by 1.5% to a rounded value of 89. Staffing jobs were down 10.7% compared with the same week last year, widening the gap from 9.5% the previous week. Staffing companies listed no one primary factor that prevented further growth.

New starts inched up in the 41st week of the year, up 0.6% from the prior week. Three in 10 staffing companies (31%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week, 10 points below the average of 41% per week so far this year.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average decreased from the prior week to hold at a rounded value of 90, and temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Oct. 13 was 10.8% lower than the same period in 2023.

“September’s highs paved the way for slowing momentum in the ASA Staffing Index in October, with fluctuations staying close to a baseline of 90. Despite some erosion in last month’s gains, the fact that staffing employment typically experiences an end-of-year boost suggests that the index may not remain below 90 for long,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA.

This week will be used in the October monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Nov. 1.

The association’s quarterly Staffing Employment and Sales Survey for the third quarter of 2024 is now open. Staffing companies that complete the brief survey—including search and placement firms—will have access to an exclusive report on the results, enhanced with graphs. The report, which participants can download from the ASA website, also includes an executive summary, plus sales category and sector-level data.

The data collected by this survey enable ASA to track staffing sales and gross margin trends and provide direct hire metrics. Participate in the Staffing Employment and Sales Survey by Nov. 22 to get the staffing industry information you’re looking for.

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, email research@americanstaffing.net. There are no fees to participate.

The premier event for staffing professionals who are focused on growth is Staffing World^®—and it happens next week at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. The ASA annual convention and expo is the industry’s largest, most powerful learning and networking event.

Get ready for your chance to make strategic connections and get solutions to fuel your growth and success—review the full event agenda, get details about the more than 40 educational sessions in four focused learning areas, preview the industry’s largest expo, and more. ASA-certified professionals can earn up to 24 continuing education hours when they attend the various preconvention programs, sessions, and Knowledge Hub presentations.

There’s still time to register at staffingworld.net. Plus, save 15% on full registration packages when you bring colleagues from your staffing company.

Are you looking to support your colleagues and help advance future leaders in the staffing and recruiting industry? Enroll as a mentor in the ASA Mentor Match program. Mentor Match allows members to make valuable industry connections, define career goals, and gain insight from staffing peers. The goal of the program is to help members grow professionally and network with fellow ASA members.

Mentors are matched with a mentee based on areas of expertise for a six-month period. Applications for the six-month cycle that begins in January will be accepted through Oct. 31. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started.

The industry’s most powerful learning and networking event—Staffing World^® 2024—happens Oct. 22–24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. And before the ASA annual convention and expo kicks off on Tuesday afternoon, there are even more learning opportunities available to help you address your current challenges, capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead, and create your best future:

• THRIVE Live, presented by the ASA Women in Leadership interest group—inspiring speakers will share growth strategies that have propelled their careers and positioned them for continued success.
• Unlock Sales Potential: High-Impact Techniques for Staffing Excellence—Robert Reid of Butler Street will share techniques to help you boost your sales skills and communication strategies
• Build a Sustainable Strengths-Based Culture—industry veteran Kelly Merbler will explain how to use Gallup’s CliftonStrengths talent assessment to improve employee engagement outcomes

Visit staffingworld.net to learn more and register. Separate registration is required for these programs.

An initiative that helps military spouses enter the information technology field, a program that trains health workers to assist local communities, and a partnership with a local high school that offers pathways to careers headline the top job training programs recognized by the American Staffing Association’s 2024 Elevate Awards.

Since 2018, the Elevate Awards have recognized the most outstanding, innovative, and effective work-based learning programs that train, reskill, and upskill temporary and contract talent. According to the World Economic Forum, only half of workers are seen to have access to adequate job training opportunities, an ongoing problem in the labor market.

“Across the country, staffing agencies are stepping up to provide job training to America’s workforce,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer at the American Staffing Association. “As technology and automation are changing the required skill sets across most occupations, job seekers in need of upskilling and reskilling opportunities are finding that staffing agencies will be there to help every step of the way.”

See the full list of winners at americanstaffing.net.

Staffing World^® 2024 takes place next week. The ASA annual convention and expo, which this year happens Oct. 22–24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN, is the industry’s largest, most powerful learning and networking event. ASA-certified professionals can earn up to 24 continuing education hours when they attend the various preconvention programs, sessions, and Knowledge Hub presentations.

Get the details about the more than 40 educational sessions in four focused learning areas, the industry’s largest expo, and more—then register at staffingworld.net. Plus, save 15% on full registration packages when you bring colleagues from your staffing company.

Are you ready to create your best future alongside the industry’s brightest leaders? Get ready to experience the workforce solutions industry’s premier event in the nation’s top music destination. Staffing World^® 2024 takes place Oct. 22–24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN.

At the ASA annual convention and expo you can be part of the staffing and recruiting industry’s biggest, most comprehensive learning and networking event, plus you can explore the attractions of Music City. Whether you’re a music lover, a foodie, a history buff, or the outdoorsy type, Nashville has something for you.

Go to staffingworld.net to learn more and register for Staffing World.