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Appreciation@work 2025: Strategic Recognition in a New Era of Work

November 12, 2025 11:30 AM
November 12, 2025 3:30 PM
Nov 12, 2025 11:30 AM
-
3:30 pm
ET
Appreciation@work 2025: Strategic Recognition in a New Era of Work

Appreciation@work 2025: Strategic Recognition in a New Era of Work

November 12, 2025 11:30 AM
November 12, 2025 3:30 PM
Nov 12, 2025 11:30 AM
-
3:30 pm
ET
Appreciation@work 2025: Strategic Recognition in a New Era of Work

Where culture meets performance, and appreciation becomes a competitive advantage.

Recognition has never mattered more, nor been more misunderstood.

In today’s evolving workplace, where hybrid complexity, generational shifts, and AI disruption are rewriting the employee experience, appreciation must move beyond feel-good gestures. It must become a strategic tool to build connection, drive performance, and scale culture.

Appreciation@Work 2025 brings together forward-thinking HR and People leaders to redefine what recognition looks like now and where it’s headed next.

In this dynamic, half-day seminar, we’ll explore:

  • What the workforce actually wants from recognition today (hint: it’s not just money)
  • How to design high-impact appreciation strategies that are inclusive, scalable, and AI-powered
  • The frameworks and models that link appreciation to performance, retention, and business outcomes

You’ll walk away with tangible tools, new thinking, and bold insights to make appreciation a pillar of your EX and leadership strategy.

This isn’t a surface-level conversation, it’s a recharge for your recognition strategy, your culture-building efforts, and your people-first leadership.

Agenda

11:30am EST

Opening Remarks: From “Good Vibes” to Business Value

Presenters

Zech Dahms
Zech Dahms
President
achieve Engagement

Recognition isn’t a soft perk - it’s a performance system. We’ll align on today’s goals, define what “strategic recognition” actually means, and what are some of the key levers we should be pulling on in 2026.

11:40am EST

Opening Keynote: Appreciation and Recognition as the Backbone of Resilience & Connection

Presenters

Christopher Littlefield
Christopher Littlefield
Founder, International Speaker on Employee Appreciation
Beyond Thank You

In our fast-paced world, where change is part of everyday life - at work, at home, and everywhere in between, it’s never been more important to build relationships that lift each other up. Our ability to be agile, flexible, and resilient depends on those relationships. It’s the small moments of appreciation, connection, and support we share each day that strengthen our teams and help us handle whatever comes our way.

In this session, we’ll explore:

-- The key role that appreciation and recognition play in maintaining our well-being and resilience.

-- Simple rituals and micro-interactions that strengthen relationships and team connection in minutes.

-- A easy reflection process to help you take care of yourself and those around you.

-- Change is always easier when we navigate it together!

12:10pm EST

Impact Accelerator #1 - From nice-to-have to non-negotiable performance system

Presenters

Margi Fox
Margi Fox
Chief Human Resource Officer
Schlaupitz Madhavan
Tyrese Manigault
Tyrese Manigault
Manager, Employee Engagement
NASCAR
Jermaine King
Jermaine King
Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO)
United States Air Force
  • Design the System, Not the Program
    Full-Throttle Recognition: Engagement at 200 MPH
    Tie It to Targets: Signal → Story → Standard
  • 1:25pm EST

    Panel Discussion: Did This. Tried That. Now What?

    Presenters

    Courtney King
    Courtney King
    Senior Vice President People & Culture
    Beatbox
    Anju Choudhary
    Anju Choudhary
    Chief People Officer
    Xoxoday
    Keren Kozar
    Keren Kozar
    Director, People Strategy
    Pontera

    A candid conversation on what worked, what fizzled, and the pivots that unlocked momentum. We’ll tackle budget constraints, program fatigue, fairness across hybrid teams, and recognition that backfires.

    2:05pm EST

    Impact Accelerator #2 - Recognition, Reloaded: Keep it human, make it measurable, scale it with AI

    Presenters

    Bridgette McCullough
    Bridgette McCullough
    Director, Employee Experience
    City Block
    Jamie Graceffa
    Jamie Graceffa
    VP/Global Head, Learning, Development & Culture
    Quanterix & Founder of Kind Cards
    Rodrigo Ortega
    Rodrigo Ortega
    Manager, Customer Success
    Bucketlist Rewards
    Jessica Hessels
    Jessica Hessels
    Manager, Customer Onboarding
    Bucketlist Rewards
  • Designing Recognition That Works, for People and Performance
  • Recognition that Resonates: 5 Ways to Make People Feel Seen on Any Budget
  • Navigating Kindness: The Fundamentals We Already Know
  • 3:20pm EST

    Closing Thoughts: “From Ideas to Action: What’s Next?”

    Presenters

    Zech Dahms
    Zech Dahms
    President
    achieve Engagement

    Quick commitments, a starter playbook, and an accountability check. Everyone leaves with one habit to start, one ritual to pilot, and one metric to watch.

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