Chicago Leadership EXchange - The Road to Engagement & Retention
Chicago Leadership EXchange - The Road to Engagement & Retention
Event Details
A hands-on Leadership EXchange with Achievers, translating AWI’s 2026 Engagement & Retention findings into a route you can drive on the next Monday.
Across Chicago, many teams are running on a low tank. Detachment has crept in. The gap between purpose and productivity is widening. If your people feel disconnected from their work, their manager, or the mission, you’re not alone.
So what is driving employees to stay, switch, or stall?
On April 10th, we’ll set out together with local internal HR and People leaders in Chicago to chart the Road to Engagement & Retention. Together, we will map the route, hitting on themes like…
- Solving the Manager Junction where connection is critical and just as scarce.
- Fueling the journey with growth, recognition, and feedback that power loyalty and performance.
- Make a values pit stop to align rewards with the behaviors you truly want to scale & the rewards your people actually desire.
- Explore an engine upgrade where tech and AI assist without losing the human center.
What to Expect
This is an internal pracititioner Leadership EXchange for internal HR & People leaders. In one focused morning, you’ll work alongside local peers through keynotes, peer discussions, and panels, then connect over a networking lunch. Expect actionable strategies, high-value connections, and a community-built playbook you can take action on immediately.
Additional Benefits
- SHRM & HRCI Recertification Credits - Earn credits while engaging in executive-level, operator-focused discussions.
- Complimentary Transportation - Attend with ease: $100 Uber voucher plus on-site comped valet parking.
- Exclusive Leadership Network Access - Join our invitation-only executive community with resources, virtual peer exchanges, and ongoing leadership development. Guaranteeing you a slot at future dinners, exchanges, and in-person programming.
- Post-Event Toolkit - Leave with templates, slide highlights, and a community-built playbook you can adapt immediately.
- Team Advantage - We typically hold 2–3 seats per company so you can bring a colleague and accelerate adoption together.
- Gifts & Raffle - Every attendee receives a special gift, plus a chance to win Amazon gift cards
- Complimentary Lunch - Enjoy a closing meal and networking time after a morning full of learning & connection.
Who Should Attend
This complimentary program is for senior leaders in internal Total Rewards and Human Resources at organizations with 1,000+ employees (no vendors). Seating is limited and subject to availability. Attendance confirmation will be sent by achieve Engagement after we review your registration.
Featured Speakers
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Agenda
Check-In & Continental Breakfast
The room officially opens. Come join early, check-in, network and enjoy some morning coffee & snacks
Welcome & Introductions - Low-Tank Diagnostic + Why It Matters
Kick off with a fast pulse check on “stay, switch, or stall” and map where connection is leaking. You’ll align with local HR & People leaders on the stakes, the shared goals, and what success will look like today.
Opening Keynote - Design the Destination & Route
Turn the latest AWI signals into a clear destination and set the waypoints for the morning. You’ll lock in the metrics that matter so every conversation points toward measurable outcomes.
Peer EXchange #1 - The Manager Junction (Case Scenario)
Work a live scenario of thin manager connection and early turnover. In table teams, define what “good” looks like inside real workflows and draft a simple playbook to re-energize the manager–employee relationship.
Fireside Chat / Panel - Fuel Station: Growth + Recognition + Feedback
Experts and in-house leaders unpack field-tested patterns that power loyalty and performance. Take away steal-worthy plays for making growth visible, appreciation timely, and feedback practical.
Mid-Program Break
Peer EXchange #2 — Course-Correction Lane + Values Pit Stop
Design a sustainable feedback rhythm that keeps teams on track, then align recognition and rewards to the behaviors your culture truly values and rewards your people actually care about. You’ll capture leading metrics and example prompts you can use immediately.
Closing Panel — Values Pit Stop & Engine Upgrade (Tech & AI as Assist)
Pressure-test your table’s playbook with expert input and explore where platforms and AI can amplify connection without losing the human center.
Closing Remarks
Networking Lunch
Keep the momentum going with curated introductions and peer follow-ups. Swap strategies, compare plays, and lock in your strategic peer circle for the rest of the year!
Event Concludes
View Photos From Previous Leadership Exchange Events
In Partnership With
Earn Credits
achieve Engagement is recognized by both SHRM and HRCI as an approved provider to offer credit hours to you by attending our free webcasts. Most webcasts are worth 1 credit hour for either or both organizations. All attendees will receive an email with their credit codes shortly after the event.
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