The New England Relocation Association Spring Conference started off with a welcome gathering on 1 May 2024, with the main event kicking off the next day at The Exchange in Bostons Seaport District. A corporate roundtable led by Taryn Kramer, senior principal of growth and transformation and leader in mobility at Mercer, was attended by 35 corporate relocation and mobility professionals, setting the stage for insightful discussions. The session started with a brief introduction by NERA President Katie Oden from Sensata Technologies.
Following this engaging session, more than 100 attendees enjoyed a refreshing lunch before diving into the day's educational agenda.
The first educational session explored the critical topic of duty of care, featuring speakers Michael Gifford and Stephan Malvoisin. Michael, senior manager of global security services at RTX, shared insights from his extensive experience in international security operations. Stephan, senior vice president of partnerships at U.S. Crisis24, provided valuable perspectives drawn from his 25-year tenure in security assistance and crisis response worldwide.
After a brief break, we heard from Susan Di Leo, customer service manager at Home Sweet Home, on the subject of sustainability. Home Sweet Home is a global mobility service provider that focuses on stress relief for transferring employees through services like pre-move discard and donate and post-move quick start unpack and put away. These services not only assist employees in transitioning to their new homes but also prioritize sustainability by promoting downsizing, decluttering, and environmentally conscious practices. NERA, in partnership with Home Sweet Home, is donating $1,200 to the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program.
The next session was a panel discussion on worldwide trends and their impact on global mobility, moderated by Taryn Kramer from Mercer. The panel comprised Heather Thomas from Mercer, Shannon Doyle from Pinterest, Marie Foti-Fleischer from Boston Scientific, Amanda Geaney from Akamai, and Karen Welch from Publicis. Each panelist brought a wealth of experience and expertise, offering insights into the evolving landscape of global mobility. From managing immigration programs to transforming mobility initiatives to enhance employee experiences, the panelists provided valuable perspectives to navigate the challenges and opportunities in today's global workforce.
To wrap up the day, Meghan OKeefe, partner from Corporate Immigration Partners, gave a sponsor spotlight highlighting duty of care in immigration from both an employer and employee standpoint.
Following the conference, a mingle was held from 5-7 p.m. featuring food, drinks, and raffle door prizes generously donated by our sponsors.
NERA President Katie Oden concluded the conference with closing remarks, during which she announced NERA's upcoming events and extended gratitude to sponsors and attendees. We invite you to join us on 17 July 2024 at Top Golf in Canton, Massachusetts, from 3-8 p.m. for an afternoon of networking and fun. Additionally, mark your calendars for our fall conference in Rhode Island on 26 September 2024, with the location to be determined.
We eagerly anticipate your participation at one of our upcoming events, where well continue to foster connections, share knowledge, and advance the field of relocation and mobility.