The Manufacturer & Business Association (The MBA) will host its 14th annual HR Conference on Wednesday, November 4, at the Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. The daylong event will feature interactive learning experiences, dynamic speakers, a variety of exhibitors, networking opportunities and the highly anticipated announcement of The MBA’s 2026 HR Person of the Year. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Program ends at 4 p.m. All media are invited to attend.
“The MBA is proud to be the premier HR resource for employers in the region, and we are excited to host a day designed for HR professionals by HR professionals,” said MBA Vice President and Employment Counsel Tammy Toman, JD, PHR, SHRM-CP. “Our goal is for attendees to gain practical insights and actionable takeaways on today’s most important workplace topics and emerging HR trends.”
The 2026 conference kicks off with the morning keynote address by Steve Gilliland, a master storyteller, comedian, bestselling author and businessman, on “It is What You Make It,” a timely keynote speech that will unveil the tools to cultivate a specific mindset to impact your success positively.
Next, attorneys from the Pittsburgh-area law firm Steptoe & Johnson PLLC will present “Legal Brief: Navigating the EEOC Shift: What Employers Need to Know Now” followed by a presentation by Brandon Wiley of OpenedEyes on “Inclusive Leadership: Building Sustainable, High-Performing Workplace Cultures.”
After a Financial Wellness Spotlight by KeyBank representatives and lunch, attorneys from Knox Law Firm will share “Legal Brief: Navigating the 2026 Employment Landscape” and examine recent case law, litigation shifts and emerging workplace trends. Then, Casie Lucas-Szumigala of Click Pragmatics will discuss “ ‘We Told Them… Didn’t We?’ Why Onboarding Fails Even When You Think You’ve Covered Everything.”
The MBA will then announce the 2026 HR Person of the Year. Nominees include: Stacey Bruce, Marquette Savings Bank; Gayle Haresign, Harmony Castings LLC and AccuForm Precision LLC; Scott McNabb, Wm. T. Spaeder; Marie Kuhn, Community Blood Bank; and, Jessica Thompson, Channellock.
To close out the day, Steve Gilliland will return to the stage for a final breakout session, “Hide Your Goat,” which focuses on how to avoid being robbed of the opportunity to perform at peak performance because of negativity.
Premier sponsor of this year’s HR Conference is ECCA Payroll+. Event sponsors include: C.H. Reams & Associates, KeyBank, Knox Law, LifeForce Wellness, MetLife, MPC Insurance, PSECU, Steptoe & Johnson, United Concordia Dental, VBA, Widget Financial, and Gerlach’s.
Cost is $400 for Members, $550 for Nonmembers. To register, visit mbausa.org or contact Laura Stalmach at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or lstalmach@mbausa.org.
For more information about the 14th annual HR Conference, visit mbausa.org.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations reflect the views and opinions of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The MBA or any of its officers and directors.