By Katherine Du Fresne
Dear ASHRM Membership,
We are just three months away from the opening of the 2026 ASHRM Annual Conference in Phoenix! That may seem like a long time, but trust me, there has been a great deal of work and thoughtful planning underway for months! I find myself thinking about the conference almost daily. Mostly with excitement and anticipation, but sometimes with disbelief that it is only three months away!
As I work on conference preparations, I also cannot help thinking about the phoenix—the mythological creature, not the city (although I am excited to visit the city!). I am certainly no expert in Greek or Egyptian mythology, and since variations of the phoenix are so entrenched in pop culture, I’m not sure where exactly my understanding of the legend comes from. But I have always associated the phoenix with renewal, rebuilding oneself, and perseverance.
I found myself wondering what the phoenix, as a symbol, means to others, so I asked around. There seems to be a lot of variation on a theme. I have heard “rebirth,” “new beginning,” “transformation through fire,” and even “triumph over destruction.”
It is truly fitting that Annual Conference will be in Phoenix this year because I certainly think of this as a time of renewal and reaffirmation of my professional purpose. I hope many of you look forward to the conference as a time to gather knowledge, build strength, and fuel your fire to continue advancing safe and trusted health care.
If you have not already registered to attend, there is still time! Early-bird registration continues through August 24, and all conference registrations include access to the virtual conference sessions. That equates to 11.25 possible continuing education credits, plus countless opportunities to connect with colleagues, get to know industry leaders, and discover solutions to common obstacles we are all facing in this fast-paced environment.
I hope we will all come away with a renewed sense of purpose—and with a little luck, none of us will have to rise from fire and destruction to do so!
Other ASHRM News of Interest
- ASHRM elections are now open! All members should have received a personalized link to the ballot via email. If you did not see your ballot, please check your spam folder or log on to the ASHRM website and vote there.
- The first annual ASHRM Learning Symposium will take place in Chicago July 20–23. The symposium offers five different learning pathways ranging from HRM Essentials to CPHRM preparation, so there is truly something for everyone. Click here for more information
Have a wonderful summer, and if any of you are an expert on the mythological legend of the phoenix, I would love to learn more when I see you at the conference!
Best regards,
Katie