U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 2.6 million temporary and contract workers per week in the first quarter of 2023, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association—down about 310,000 from the fourth quarter of 2022.

“While labor markets remain healthy, macroeconomic concerns resulted in a slowdown in demand for temporary and contract labor in the first quarter,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “Although staffing employment is down from last year’s highs, staffing demand remains above pandemic levels and the staffing industry remains poised to meet the needs of a resilient labor market.”

On a quarter-to-quarter basis, staffing employment and sales typically decline in the first quarter, grow in subsequent quarters, and peak in the fourth quarter. That seasonal pattern was evident to start the year, however, with a slowing economy, staffing jobs contracted by more than usual—declining by 10.8% from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023—and staffing sales declined by 8.6%.

Year-to-year, staffing jobs declined 6.5% in the first quarter of 2023 from the same period in 2022, while temporary and contract staffing sales decreased 1.5% over that span to total $37.4 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

Staffing companies continue to foresee growth in 2023, as they expect their third-quarter revenue to grow 3.0% year-to-year and project full-year 2023 sales to expand 2.1% compared with 2022.

With all of today’s challenges, there’s never been a better time to connect in person with the staffing community to exchange advice, ideas, and best practices. You can do that at Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, Oct. 3–5 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC.

Reserve your spot now to ensure you’ll be able to access all the staffing-specific insights, tools, and connections for the lowest rate available. Register at americanstaffing.net by Friday, June 16. After that date, the rate increases by $200 per registration.

Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, is the industry’s most comprehensive learning and networking event. This year the staffing community will come together Oct. 3–5 in Charlotte, NC.

Last week ASA announced the closing keynote speaker: Dominique Dawes, U.S. Olympic gymnast and gold medalist—as well as a successful business owner, health and wellness advocate, and sports ambassador. She joins opening keynote speaker Mike Krzyzewski (known as “Coach K”), the former Duke University men’s basketball coach who also led Team USA to three Olympic gold medals. The opening keynote presentation is sponsored by World Wide Specialty Programs.

Staffing World takes place Oct. 3–5 at the Charlotte Convention Center, and the early registration rate has been extended through this Friday, June 16. Visit staffingworld.net for more information and to register at the best available rate. After this Friday, registration packages will increase by at least $200 per person.

The deadline to submit entries for ASA awards programs has been extended to this Friday, June 16. Submit your entries today for the ASA National Staffing Employee of the Year and Sector All-Stars (which is sponsored by StaffPRO³, a division of PMC Insurance Group), the ASA Elevate Awards, and ASA Care Awards.

The ASA National Staffing Employee of the Year is an outstanding temporary or contract employee who exemplifies the promise of staffing employment. The ASA Elevate Awards recognize outstanding, innovative, and effective work-based learning programs that train, reskill, and upskill temporary and contract employees. The ASA Care Awards honor the most outstanding social responsibility initiatives among ASA members.

Award recipients will be celebrated during Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, Oct. 3-5 in Charlotte, NC; featured in ASA publications; and spotlighted on the ASA website, in national news media outreach, and in social media campaigns. It’s free to enter.

If you have lessons to share or growth strategies to teach to your peers in the staffing industry, submit an application for the new speaker incubator program developed by the ASA women in leadership council.

Speakers selected to participate in the ASA THRIVEx Speaker Incubator Program will work with volunteers to hone their presentations and then will deliver those presentations at THRIVE Live, which takes place Oct. 2–3 in Charlotte, NC, prior to Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo (Oct. 3–5 in Charlotte).

Find out more and submit your application at americanstaffing.net. Applications are due today, June 9. The ASA women in leadership interest group is sponsored by ASA corporate partners Bullhorn, ClearlyRated, and Essential StaffCARE, and by Assurance, ClearEdge Marketing, Mee Derby, Sense, StaffingReferrals, Textkernel, and WorkN.

This morning, ASA announced three major updates about Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, which takes place Oct. 3–5 in Charlotte, NC. Here’s what you need to know to start planning your experience for yourself and your team.

Session descriptions are now live online. Check out the descriptions for more than 30 sessions in 12 major content categories and start planning your learning experience now.

Dominique Dawes will deliver the closing keynote. U.S. Olympic gymnast and gold medalist—as well as a successful business owner, health and wellness advocate, and sports ambassador—Dawes will inspire and energize as the closing keynote speaker.

The early registration rate has been extended through June 16. You have until next Friday, June 16, to take advantage of the lowest rates available for Staffing World. After that date, registration packages will increase by at least $200 per person.

And remember that this year’s Staffing World opening keynote speaker, sponsored by World Wide Specialty Programs, is legendary basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, known by fans as Coach K. You don’t want to miss this year’s Staffing World experience! Register today at staffingworld.net.

How can ASA best meet your needs? Provide invaluable feedback to the association by answering a few simple questions about your membership experience. Your participation in this brief survey is critical in helping ASA learn what is important to you and how well the association is serving you.

A link to the survey was sent to staffing firm members last week, and responses are due June 30. If you have any questions or did not receive a survey link, contact Tim Hulley at 703-253-1154 or thulley@americanstaffing.net.

With all of today’s challenges, there’s never been a better time to connect in person with the staffing community to exchange advice, ideas, and best practices. You can do that at Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, Oct. 3–5 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC.

Reserve your spot now to ensure you’ll be able to access all the staffing-specific insights, tools, and connections for the lowest rate available—including hearing from opening keynote speaker Mike Krzyzewski (known by fans as “Coach K”), the coach of Duke University’s men’s basketball team who led Team USA to three Olympic gold medals. The opening keynote presentation is sponsored by ASA corporate partner World Wide Specialty Programs.

Register at americanstaffing.net by Friday, June 9. After that date, the rate increases by $200 per registration.

If you have lessons to share or growth strategies to teach to your peers in the staffing industry, submit an application for the new speaker incubator program developed by the ASA women in leadership council.

Speakers selected to participate in the ASA THRIVEx Speaker Incubator Program will work with volunteers to hone their presentations and then will deliver those presentations at THRIVE Live, which takes place Oct. 2–3 in Charlotte, NC, prior to Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo (Oct. 3–5 in Charlotte).

Find out more and submit your application at americanstaffing.net. Applications are due next Friday, June 9. The ASA women in leadership interest group is sponsored by ASA corporate partners Bullhorn, ClearlyRated, and Essential StaffCARE, and by Assurance, ClearEdge Marketing, Mee Derby, Sense, StaffingReferrals, Textkernel, and WorkN.

Celebrate standout talent—submit your entries today for the association’s professional recognition programs. ASA will accept applications for the ASA Care Awards, ASA Elevate Awards, and National Staffing Employee of the Year through Friday, June 2.

The ASA Care Awards recognize outstanding social responsibility initiatives among ASA member companies; the ASA Elevate Awards recognize outstanding, innovative, and effective work-based learning programs that train, reskill, and upskill temporary and contract talent; and the ASA National Staffing Employee of the Year and Sector All-Stars program honors individuals nominated by ASA member companies who best exemplify one or more of the staffing industry’s key messages—bridge and flexibility. Learn more at americanstaffing.net/awards.