Tired of losing great candidates because your recruiters are buried in busy work? Slow recruitment processes can hinder business growth, but artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions are changing the game.

ASA past chair Susan Dietrich of TOPS Staffing, and Ashwarya Poddar of ASA corporate partner ConverzAI, will explore ways you can use AI to make placements faster, improve candidate engagement, and scale recruitment workflows during the ASA webinar “Unlocking Scalable Recruitment With Artificial Intelligence Agents.” It takes place Tuesday, April 29, 2–3 p.m. Eastern time. Sponsored by ConverzAI.

All ASA webinars are free for ASA members, and most qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.

Invest in your career and expand your expertise by taking advantage of the ASA professional development sale—starting right now and continuing through the end of this month.

You’ll get a 25% discount on education and certification products (except certification renewal fees)—including certification packages, exams, and study materials; Staffing Pro Stacks credentialing programs; staffing industry onboarding courses; and more.

Why should you earn an ASA credential? Visit americanstaffing.net/certification to learn the answer—then place your order in the ASA store, using the discount code SPRINGCERT25, by April 30.

Staffing employment edged up during the week of April 7–13, with the ASA Staffing Index increasing 0.7% to a rounded value of 84. Staffing companies cited no primary factor that hindered further growth. Staffing jobs were 6.2% lower relative to the same period last year, narrowing the gap by half a point from 6.7% observed the previous week.

New starts increased marginally in the 15th week of the year, inching up 0.8% from the prior week. Almost half of all staffing companies (47%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week, slightly above the average of 44% so far in 2025.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average increased from the previous week but held at a rounded value of 83. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending April 13 was 7.0% below the same period in 2024.

“The ASA Staffing Index has shown consistent growth in the first two weeks of April, with the year-to-year gap steadily narrowing as well,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA. “However, the staffing industry’s progress remains fragile, as low turnover and creeping unemployment push against its future momentum.”

This week will be used in the April monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2.

Today is the first day of National Volunteer Week, and ASA is honoring its volunteers—the driving force behind the association’s success—whose time, expertise, and leadership make an incredible impact at ASA and across the industry.

Help ASA celebrate the change makers, leaders, and people who go above and beyond to strengthen the staffing community. Share your story on ASA Central and the ASA LinkedIn page to show why you give your time to the industry and let your association peers know about the impact you’re making.

Earn recognition for your firm’s outstanding social responsibility initiatives—and leverage that recognition to differentiate your firm in your most competitive markets. Submit an entry for the ASA Care Awards program. Entries are due May 2.

The program recognizes outstanding social responsibility efforts by staffing firms and industry suppliers. Honorees will be highlighted at Staffing World^® 2025, Oct. 6–8 in Orlando; featured in ASA publications; and spotlighted on the ASA website, in national news media outreach, and in social media campaigns.

For complete instructions and an entry form, visit americanstaffing.net.

In the staffing industry—and in business generally—women face barriers that can hold them back from advancing in their careers. THRIVE virtual is an empowering event designed exclusively for women in the staffing industry.

This year’s virtual event will feature opening keynote speaker Michelle P. King, Ph.D., a globally recognized expert in workplace culture. The closing keynote speaker will be Nika White, Ph.D., a management and leadership consultant and founder of Nika White Consulting. Plus you’ll get inspiration from other powerful women in staffing, such as Lauren Beane of the “Ready Enough” podcast and Erika Bantz of Butler Street, explore breakout sessions tailored for you, and network with like-minded and supportive peers.

The half-day online event, presented by the ASA women in leadership interest group, takes place Tuesday, May 20, 1–6 p.m. Eastern time. Visit americanstaffing.net/thrive to learn more and register. The ASA women in leadership interest group is sponsored by ASA corporate partners Advance Partners, Bullhorn, and ClearlyRated, and by Avionté, Marsh McLennan Agency, Mee Derby, Sense, and T2 Insurance Solutions.

Katie Ledecky isn’t just an Olympic legend—she’s a master of turning the impossible into the inevitable. As America’s most decorated female Olympian, she’s shattered records by setting bold, seemingly unfeasible goals. And she will be the keynote speaker at Staffing World 2025, the ASA annual convention and expo, Oct. 6–8 in Orlando.

In her keynote presentation, “Going for Gold,” she’ll deliver inspirational examples and strategies for setting “impossible” goals to achieve growth and success, adapting your strategy to grow and win in hypercompetitive environments, and motivating and leading a team toward high-performance outcomes.

In a rapidly changing environment, where market uncertainty and fierce competition are around every turn, true leaders know that success belongs to those who adapt and compete. Don’t miss the chance to connect with your peers and tackle challenges facing the industry—including economic volatility, emerging technology, and evolving talent expectations. Register for Staffing World Today—visit staffingworld.net for more information.

Earn recognition for your firm’s best temporary or contract employees—and leverage that recognition to differentiate your firm in your most competitive markets. Nominate outstanding performers for the National Staffing Employee of the Year program. Entries are due May 2.

The program celebrates temporary and contract employees who exemplify one or more of the industry’s key messages of bridging, flexibility, and access to a new career. Finalists, called “All-Stars,” are also recognized—if merited—in five industry sectors: engineering, information technology, and scientific; health care; industrial; office–clerical and administrative; and professional–managerial. The National Staffing Employee of the Year will be celebrated during Staffing World^® 2025, Oct. 6–8 in Orlando; featured in ASA publications; and spotlighted on the ASA website, in national news media outreach, and in social media campaigns.

For complete instructions and an entry form, visit americanstaffing.net/nsey. The National Staffing Employee of the Year and Sector All-Stars program is sponsored by StaffPRO³, a division of PMC Insurance Group.

The ASA Staffing Law & Compliance Conference takes place May 8–9 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC, and a special block of rooms is available for conference attendees—but reservations must be made by tomorrow.

The event was renamed last year to better reflect its focus on compliance and related human resource content. You’ll get the answers you need on topics such as Form I-9 compliance, using artificial intelligence in recruiting, fraud protection, and much more. Get the information you need to stay ahead of legal changes, gain confidence in compliance issues, and navigate upcoming policy shifts.

Visit staffinglawconference.net for details and to register.

THRIVE virtual 2025 has been designed for women staffing leaders of all experience levels and backgrounds. The half-day event takes place online—Tuesday, May 20, from 1 to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Don’t miss the opening keynote presentation “How Women Can Overcome the Invisible Barriers to Their Career Success,” presented by author Michelle P. King, Ph.D.; the closing keynote presentation “The Power of Storytelling—Building Bridges of Connection,” presented by management and leadership consultant Nika White, Ph.D., founder of Nika White Consulting; speed talks crafted exclusively for staffing professionals; interactive breakout sessions; dynamic networking opportunities; and more.

Join women staffing leaders who are refining their strategies for success through insights and connections. Secure your spot before April 13 to receive the early registration discount.