Welcome to the inaugural TempWorks and Lone Oak Payroll tradeshow log! In this ongoing series, we’ll be reflecting on some of the tradeshows we’ve recently attended; discuss some of the presentations or keynotes we took in, highlight some of the meetings or connections we made, and provide a general state of the industry through our eyes.
During the month of March, we were fortunate to attend the SIA Executive Forum in Miami Beach, the Minnesota Recruiting and Staffing (MNRSA) Symposium right here in Minnesota, and the TempNet Annual Conference in Tuscon, Ariz.
The prevailing narrative that we’ve noticed throughout all of these events is that we as an industry are going through challenging times; anyone with a pulse can see that. We’re also seeing, however, that in spite of the difficulties many in our industry are facing, there is a grit and determination to weather the storm and persevere.
Let’s take a look at the events we attended, what we learned, and then highlight the shows we’ll be attending in the coming weeks.
SIA Executive Forum
Earlier in the month, we came together with industry leaders at the SIA Executive Forum from March 10-13 in Miami Beach, Fla. With keynote addresses on the future of the staffing industry and the labor market at large, in addition to multiple panels and breakouts, SIA reinforced its position as one of the premier staffing organizations in the country.
TempWorks and Lone Oak Payroll team members Roman Sanchez, John Mayer, and Bryce Poulton at the SIA Executive Forum
SIA was impactful for our team in a number of ways:
Partner Engagement
We were able to meet with a variety of current, upcoming, and prospective integration partners to explore opportunities for enhancing and expanding our integration marketplace. In our conversations we discussed roadmap alignment, new capabilities, and ways to better support shared customers through tighter, more strategic integrations. It was also great getting to spend time with the teams from Whippy and Ringover to discuss our plans for the future.
Customer Connections
Not only was it a pleasure seeing our partners, but we were also able to reconnect with several current customers and catch up on their business progress, gather feedback, and strengthen relationships. We shared updates on our latest platform enhancements and heard firsthand how our solutions are supporting their growth.
Industry Insights
Lastly, the conference was full of insightful content sessions focused on industry forecasts, emerging trends, and the role of technology in shaping the future of staffing. These sessions gave us valuable perspectives on where the industry is headed and how our platform can continue to meet evolving needs.
TempWorks and Lone Oak Payroll team members Tony Kennetz and Zac Roach at the MNRSA Symposium
MNRSA Symposium
On March 20th, we were glad to attend the MNRSA Symposium right in our backyard in Edina, Minn. It was a pleasure seeing many familiar faces from our industry and to hear some of the state-specific changes that could impact staffing in Minnesota in the coming year.
Specifically, we heard from Minnesota State Economist Anthony Becker who gave us a rundown on some of the labor headlines we can expect to see soon, notably:
- There was projected to be sub-2% growth through 2028, which is suboptimal and the ideal target was closer to 3%. This was a substantial downward revision from November 2024.
- The US Dollar has gotten stronger, which ironically lowers growth potential for the economy.
- Inflation is projected to reach 3.2% this year, and goes down over time to a projected level of 2% in 2024. This downward trajectory is expected to make interest rate cuts more likely which could provide the economy some juice.
- Purchasing power has outpaced inflation, though not as much as in the recent past. This means our clients and their employees still have more effective money in their pockets than they did at the same time last year.
- Wages are likely to rise in Minnesota more than in other areas of the US in the short-to-medium term.
We were also given some legislative updates:
- Minnesota has a $450 million surplus projection for FY 2026-27, but that is down from a projection of $450 million. We have a $6 billion dollar projected deficit for FY 28-29.
- Paid Family Medical Leave, which will have a substantial impact on agencies in Minnesota, is likely to have its implementation pushed back in the state.
But it wasn’t all just numbers and laws. Our team was able to take in important sessions on leadership and team building. One keynote from Jack Stahlman highlighted the “IT” factor, looking at three key ways to help build connections with people and prospects. His three-step process goes from making people feel important, to seamlessly shifting the conversation to something relevant to business, and finally creating a memory that will make a lasting impression on that person.
We were also able to attend a leadership breakout that provided incredible information about how different staffing professionals lead their teams. Some of the most lasting advice we heard was:
- Challenge people who aren’t in leadership roles!: Everyone can be a leader without having a special title.
- Acknowledge the hard times, don’t be afraid to tell your team that things aren’t great but make sure you have information to share on how you will get through the tough times.
Connecting with local staffing professionals really highlighted the importance of community during challenging times. We are all in this together, and once the tides turn in our favor, we will all be in a better place.
TempNet 2025 Annual Conference
To round out the month, our team was on site in Tuscon, Ariz. for TempNet’s Annual Conference. The two-day event from March 26-28 was well-attended, energetic, and full of valuable insights.
Some highlights from our time there include:
- Hearing from economic and labor expert Ron Hetrick, who broke down the demographic drought and what it means for the future of staffing—we found his presentation eye-opening and incredibly relevant.
- Getting a firsthand look at the latest innovations from Whippy, our texting partner—it’s exciting to see how their new features are pushing communication forward.
- Spending quality time with Hiring Hub, Lone Oak Payroll’s newest client—we’re excited to support their journey and thrilled to have them on board!
- Connecting with fellow staffing professionals and gaining fresh perspectives during networking events.
We’re looking forward to applying what we learned and continuing the conversations we started. Thanks to everyone who made the event a success!
TempWorks and Lone Oak Payroll team members Dalton DeLeon and Taylor Ruehling at TempNet’s Annual Conference
Upcoming Shows
Join us in April as we attend the following events and conferences!
- April 8 & 9: Legislative Day at the State Capitol and the Texas Association of Staffing Executive Retreat in Austin, Tex.
- April 23 & 24: ISSA’s 2025 Midwest Staffing Conference in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
Follow us on LinkedIn for more information!