ASA is looking for experts in the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry to share their experience and expertise with industry professionals at Staffing World, the ASA annual convention and expo. Staffing World^® 2024 takes place Oct. 22–24 in Nashville, TN.

Share your experience and expertise during a breakout session (interactive presentation; between 60 and 75 minutes long), knowledge hub tech talk (presentation on technology topics important to the industry; 10 minutes long), or knowledge hub speed talk (presentation on a general topic important to the industry; 10 minutes long).

For more information and to start your submission, visit americanstaffing.net/presenters. The deadline for Staffing World breakout session proposals is Jan. 31, and the deadline for Staffing World knowledge hub speed talks or tech talks is May 31.

Investing in the career development of your internal team sends a powerful message about your company. Before the year ends, purchase ASA certification packages for your employees to show them you value their future with your firm. Through Dec. 31, you’ll get a 30% discount on certification products—including certification packages, a la carte study materials, exams, lapel pins, certificate frames, and travel mugs and tumblers.

Learn more about the value of earning an ASA credential, then place your order in the ASA store—using the discount code HOLIDAY23-E—by Dec. 31.

Don’t miss the ASA webinar “Key Accounting and Tax Issues in Staffing Mergers and Acquisitions: What Every Buyer and Seller Needs to Know.” It takes place today from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern time. If you’re considering buying or selling a staffing firm, Paul Pincus of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP, with Michael Napolitano, CPA, and Marilyn Garcia of Citrin Cooperman, will review the financial data you need to assess, tax implications you need to consider, and information you need to empower you on your buying or selling journey. Sponsored by Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP, and presented by Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP and Citrin Cooperman.

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.

Start planning today to ensure your company’s success in 2024. Renew your ASA membership and you’ll continue to receive access to professional development, legal and legislative advocacy, industry-specific research and economic data, and more.

Visit americanstaffing.net/renew or call the membership department at 703-253-2020.

ASA is currently seeking dedicated members to serve on volunteer committees and councils—but today is the last day to submit an application. Apply for a volunteer opportunity to work directly with other members, learn about workforce trends and best practices, and build on your experience to become a thought leader with the association.

ASA needs your skills, insight, and unique perspective so it can continue to provide timely, valuable resources to members. Log in to ASA Central and visit the volunteer page to find an opportunity that fits your interests.

The ASA Mentor Match program allows members to make valuable industry connections, define career goals, and gain insight from staffing peers by establishing a mentoring relationship for a six-month period. The program is designed to help both mentors and mentees grow professionally and network with fellow ASA members.

Applications for the six-month cycle that begins in January are due tomorrow. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started as a mentor or mentee.

The association’s quarterly Staffing Employment and Sales Survey for the third quarter of 2023 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. 29—visit americanstaffing.net/quarterly-survey. There are no fees to participate.

Staffing employment edged down in the week of Oct. 9–15, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing by 0.1% to a rounded value of 100. Staffing companies listed no one primary factor that limited further growth. Staffing jobs were 7.2% below the same week last year.

New starts in the 41st week of the year inched up 0.9% from the prior week. Close to half of all staffing companies (45%) reported gains in new assignments week to week.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average decreased from the prior week to hold at a rounded value of 101, and temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Oct. 15 was 6.4% lower than the same period in 2022.

“Staffing employment has eased in October, though it remains above the lows we saw in the second quarter of the year,” said Tim Hulley, assistant research director at ASA.

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the October monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Nov. 3.

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.