The Carolinas’ top HR professionals are returning to Uptown Charlotte on October 19 for the 3rd Annual Carolina HR Summit & Awards. Hosted by Search Solution Group in partnership with Business North Carolina, this year’s Summit moves to the historic Carolina Theatre for a night of insight, recognition, and networking.
Last year’s event welcomed more than 250 attendees, making it one of the largest gatherings of HR leaders in the region.
2026 Theme: Empowering HR for What’s Next
How HR Leaders Are Driving Business Growth in a Changing World
As organizations navigate workforce transformation, evolving employee expectations, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and economic uncertainty, HR has become one of the most influential drivers of business success. This year’s Summit will explore how HR professionals are preparing their organizations for what’s next while driving growth, performance, and long-term success, covering topics like AI in the workplace, leadership development, workforce planning, organizational change, talent strategy, and the evolving role of HR as a strategic business partner.
Keynote: Speaker to be announced
Featured Educational Session: “Imposter Syndrome: A Misdiagnosis”
This session explores the misconceptions surrounding imposter syndrome and offers practical insight into building confidence, developing leaders, and supporting employee growth in today’s workplace.
Meet the Panelists
Moderator:
- Kisha Smith, Chief People Officer, Tepper Sports & Entertainment
Panelists:
- Seb Girard, Chief People Officer, Novant Health
- Julie Katigan, Chief Human Resources Officer, Perdue Farms
- Craig Pyke, Head of Talent Acquisition, Rivian
- Anna Orsenigo, Senior Vice President, HR Business Partner, LPL Financial
Nominate a Standout HR Professional
The Carolina HR Standout Awards celebrate the HR professionals making a difference across the Carolinas, whether they’re leading people strategy, building strong workplace cultures, or helping their organization navigate change. Ten award recipients will be honored live on stage in front of the region’s HR community at this year’s Summit on October 19. Nominations are free, open to the public, and take just a few minutes.
You can submit your nomination here.
Attendees are eligible to earn SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for participating in the event. (Activity Name: Carolina HR Summit & Awards 2026; Activity ID: 26-S3RY9)
Event Details
- Date: Monday, October 19, 2026
- Time: 5:15 PM – 8:30 PM
- Location: The Carolina Theatre, Uptown Charlotte
- Dress Code: Business Professional
Attendance is limited, and advance registration is encouraged. Reserve your ticket here.
For any questions, please visit https://www.carolinahrsummit.com/ or email us at info@carolinahrsummit.com.
