Human resources leaders, attorneys, hiring managers, and business professionals gathered in Harrisburg last week for the PA Chamber’s 2026 HR Conference, a premier annual educational event examining the evolving landscape of employment policy, talent development, and HR compliance. The conference delivered timely insights and practical strategies to help employers navigate regulatory change while strengthening their workforce pipelines.
Following welcoming remarks from Alex Halper, PA Chamber Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, the opening session featured updates on federal labor and employment law. Andrew Rogers, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, led the discussion, moderated by Glenn Spencer, Senior Vice President of the Employment Policy Division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Together, they explored recent and emerging federal labor issues, clarified compliance expectations, and outlined how these changes directly impact Pennsylvania employers.
Building on the policy discussion, the conference shifted to solutions‑focused conversations around workforce development and talent retention. A panel on upskilling case studies highlighted how organizations are investing in their people to close skills gaps, retain talent, and build sustainable workforce pipelines. Moderated by Halper, the panel featured Meg Handley, PhD, BCC, Associate Director of Engineering Leadership and Co‑Director of the College of Engineering Certified Microcredential Program at Penn State University; Lauren Holubec, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association; and Alex Tarleton, Director of Talent Acquisition at Eurofins. Panelists shared real‑world examples of employer‑led training, credentialing, and partnership models delivering measurable results for both businesses and workers.
The afternoon agenda included targeted breakout sessions. Rick Grimaldi, author and partner at Fisher Phillips, led a session on leveraging generational diversity as a strategic advantage, offering practical guidance for engaging and retaining a multigenerational workforce. In a separate breakout, Jonathan Segal, partner at Duane Morris Institute and the conference’s Exclusive Presenting Sponsor, addressed wage and hour compliance, pay equity, and pay transparency, helping attendees navigate increasingly complex compensation regulations.
An interactive “Spin the Wheel” session added energy and engagement to the program, as Halper and Segal explored tactics and messaging for constructively and respectfully discussing sensitive, politically charged legislative issues.
The agenda then turned to one of the most pressing workplace topics today: artificial intelligence. Denise Turley, Vice President of Corporate Systems at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Alexandra Farone, Shareholder at Babst Calland, led a session on operationalizing AI in the workplace. They provided guidance on developing clear AI policies, governance frameworks, and employee guidance that encourage innovation while managing legal, ethical, and compliance risks.
The conference concluded with an exclusive fireside chat featuring Nancy Walker, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Moderated by Halper, the conversation explored the Commonwealth’s workforce priorities, the challenges facing employers, and opportunities for collaboration between government and business to strengthen talent development and job growth across Pennsylvania.
A photo album highlighting the conference is available here. The event was also covered by Fox43 – you can read that story here.
The PA Chamber thanks Exclusive Presenting Sponsor Duane Morris Institute, Silver Sponsors PA Chamber Insurance and PSECU, and Break Sponsor Highmark for their generous support of this premier educational event for HR leaders.