October 7—9, 2025 | San Antonio, TX

AGENDA

Collapsible Sections with Custom Button Colors

Day 1 | Tuesday, October 7

Check in, receive your event materials, directions to the event area and answers to any questions you may have.

Join us to officially kick off SPARK TALENT 2025!

Interactive Workshops—Choose Your Session

Interactive Workshop


More information coming soon.

Interactive Workshop


More information coming soon.

Stretch your legs, chat with some of our sponsors and get a refreshment.

Interactive Workshops—Choose Your Session

Interactive Workshop


More information coming soon.

Interactive Workshop


More information coming soon.




Day 2 | Wednesday, October 8

Start your morning off right with breakfast and networking opportunities.

Kick off the day two of SPARK TALENT 2025 with speaker sessions!

General Session

More information coming.

Move your body, grab a refreshing drink and chat with some of our sponsors.

Ross Sparkman

Interactive Workshop


Speaker: Ross Sparkman

Author and Senior Director, Workforce Strategy, Walmart


More information coming soon.

Move your body and chat with some of our sponsors.

Blair Bennett

Interactive Workshop


Speaker: Blair Bennett

Senior Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition, PepsiCo


More information coming soon.

Grab a bite to eat and chat with your fellow attendees.

General Session

More information coming soon.

General Session

More information coming soon.

New room, new ideas to SPARK!

General Session

More information coming soon.

Sarah Sheffer

General Session


Speaker: Sarah Sheffer

Senior Manager, HR Datat & Analytics, ADM


More information coming.

Take a few minutes to stretch and move to a new room with us.

Jennifer Kirkwood

General Session


Speaker: Jennifer Kirkwood

Executive, HR/Talent & Data, Partner, Responsible AI, IBM Consulting


Generative AI isn’t just an evolution in talent acquisition. And this is not yesterday’s session of basics in GenAI. This session is your gateway to a new era of hiring strategies. How we find the people and skills, engage and retain talent is shifting faster than ever. Those who fail to adapt risk falling behind. In the true language of the business, the ability to impact the bottom-line numbers is critical to survival.

Join industry leader, with deep expertise in HR Tech & (Gen)AI, Jen Kirkwood, as we explore how generative AI is unlocking a new frontier in talent acquisition – from sourcing, skills and engagement to the new skills a recruiter must master, and the governance which is shaping these talent strategies. This session sizzles in excitement! Join us and step into the future of talent acquisition.


In this session, you will learn:

  • The application of generative AI and the business metrics it impacts.
  • Most effective AI governance and compliance guardrails for talent.
  • The Real-World impact leading companies have by leveraging generative AI and revolutionizing their hiring.
  • How recruiters can work smarter and faster to elevate their careers.
Peter Lynch

General Session


Speaker: Peter Lynch

Chief People Officer, Cardinal Group Companies


More information coming.

More information coming soon!




Day 3 | Thursday, October 9

Start our last day together with breakfast and networking opportunities.

Kick off the final day of SPARK TALENT 2025!

Meghan Rhatigan

General Session


Speaker: Meghan Rhatigan

Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition Experience, Marriott International


More information coming.

Move your body, grab a refreshing drink and chat with some of our sponsors.

Ross Mahaffey

General Session


Speaker: Ross Mahaffey

Head of Tech Recruiting, Vanta


More information coming soon.

Stretch and grab a little snack before the next session.

Tabitha Wright

General Session


Speaker: Tabitha Wright

Head of Talent Programs, GE HealthCare


In today’s fast-changing workforce, having the right talent ready at the right time isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Join Tabitha Wright, Head of Talent Programs at GE Healthcare as she guides you through the strategies and structures needed to build a dynamic talent pipeline that ensures your organization stays ahead. From identifying key roles and sourcing top talent to succession planning and retention, you’ll gain practical tools to future-proof your workforce.

Join us to explore proven talent pipeline strategies that drive business continuity, foster diversity and inclusion, and create a steady flow of skilled, engaged talent to meet your organization’s evolving needs.


In this session, you will learn:

  • Define and optimize your talent pipeline to support long-term business goals.
  • Identify critical roles that require a consistent, high-quality talent flow.
  • Leverage diverse sourcing strategies, including partnerships with universities, military programs, and internships.
  • Develop talent from within through structured training, mentorship, and upskilling programs.
  • Align talent pipelines with succession planning to ensure leadership continuity.
  • Build inclusive hiring practices that strengthen workforce diversity.
  • Use data and analytics to measure pipeline effectiveness and make smarter hiring decisions.
  • Engage and retain high-potential candidates, keeping them connected until the right opportunity arises.

General Session

More information coming.

New room, new ideas to SPARK!

General Session

More information coming soon.

Let's close out SPARK TALENT 2025 with a bang.


Agenda subject to change




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