Welcome to the Carolina HR Summit & Awards!
An event designed exclusively for HR professionals across the Carolinas.
About the Event
Welcome to the Carolina HR Summit & Awards, proudly hosted by Search Solution Group in partnership with Business North Carolina. Each year, this premier event brings together HR and business leaders to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and trends shaping today's workforce.
The evening features a keynote presentation, a featured segment, and a moderated panel discussion with senior HR executives from leading organizations, followed by the Carolina HR Standout Awards recognizing outstanding HR professionals and organizations making an impact across the Carolinas.
Last year's event welcomed more than 250 attendees, making it one of the largest gatherings of HR leaders in the region. Join us on October 19, 2026, at the historic Carolina Theatre in Charlotte for an evening of learning, networking, and celebration.
Welcome to the Carolina HR Summit & Awards, proudly hosted by Search Solution Group in partnership with Business North Carolina. Each year, this premier event brings together HR and business leaders to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and trends shaping today's workforce.
The evening features a keynote presentation, a featured segment, and a moderated panel discussion with senior HR executives from leading organizations, followed by the Carolina HR Standout Awards recognizing outstanding HR professionals and organizations making an impact across the Carolinas.
Last year's event welcomed more than 250 attendees, making it one of the largest gatherings of HR leaders in the region. Join us on October 19, 2026, at the historic Carolina Theatre in Charlotte for an evening of learning, networking, and celebration.
2026 Date & Time
October 19th, 2026
5:15 PM - 8:00 PM
5:15 PM - 8:00 PM
Location
The Carolina Theatre
230 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
230 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
dress code
The preferred dress code for this event is business professional.
If you are interested in attending the event, please email us at [email protected] for availability.
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. Today's HR leaders are shaping talent strategies, developing future leaders, strengthening workplace cultures, leveraging new technologies, and helping organizations adapt to constant change.
This year's Carolina HR Summit & Awards will explore how HR professionals are preparing their organizations for what's next while driving growth, performance, and long-term success. Through expert insights, real-world experiences, and meaningful discussions, attendees will gain practical perspectives on topics such as AI in the workplace, leadership development, workforce planning, organizational change, talent strategy, and the evolving role of HR as a business partner.
This year's Carolina HR Summit & Awards will explore how HR professionals are preparing their organizations for what's next while driving growth, performance, and long-term success. Through expert insights, real-world experiences, and meaningful discussions, attendees will gain practical perspectives on topics such as AI in the workplace, leadership development, workforce planning, organizational change, talent strategy, and the evolving role of HR as a business partner.
2025 Recap
After a successful event last year, we’re excited to build on that momentum with an even bigger and better celebration this year. The first event brought together HR leaders from across the Carolinas to share insights, collaborate, and recognize excellence in the field. As we continue to grow this tradition, we look forward to strengthening the HR community and creating new opportunities for leaders to come together, share knowledge, and inspire positive change.
Click our video here to relive the highlights and get a sneak peek of what's to come at this year’s event!
Click our video here to relive the highlights and get a sneak peek of what's to come at this year’s event!
2026 Event Schedule
5:15 - 6:00 PM
Networking & Reception
Connect with HR and business leaders from across the Carolinas before the program begins.
6:00 - 6:05 PM
Welcome Remarks
Opening remarks from Search Solution Group.
6:05 - 6:20 PM
Keynote Presentation
A brief keynote presentation setting the stage for the evening's conversation.
6:20 - 6:35 PM
Featured Segment: "Imposter Syndrome: A Misdiagnosis"
Presented by Jessica Bronzert, Founder & CEO of SparksGRP
This featured segment explores imposter syndrome: what it is, what it is not, and how leaders can respond to it more effectively. The session will debunk common myths, including its perceived ties to gender and personality, while highlighting how imposter feelings can often reflect systemic or environmental factors. Attendees will gain a more empowering perspective and actionable tools to navigate self-doubt with greater awareness and confidence.
6:35 - 7:35 PM
Executive HR Leadership Panel Discussion
A moderated discussion featuring senior HR executives sharing real-world perspectives on leadership, workforce strategy, talent, organizational change, and business growth.
7:35 - 8:00 PM
Carolina HR Standout Awards
Celebrating outstanding HR professionals and organizations making a meaningful impact across the Carolinas.
Meet Our 2026 Panelists
Hear from senior HR leaders representing some of the region’s most respected organizations as they discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s workforce.
We're putting the finishing touches on this year's panel and will announce the full lineup soon! Stay tuned as we unveil an outstanding group of HR leaders and business executives for the 2026 Carolina HR Summit & Awards.
We're putting the finishing touches on this year's panel and will announce the full lineup soon! Stay tuned as we unveil an outstanding group of HR leaders and business executives for the 2026 Carolina HR Summit & Awards.
This Year's Venue
The Carolina Theatre
This year’s Carolina HR Summit & Awards will take place at the Carolina Theatre in Uptown Charlotte, located at 230 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202. The venue blends historic architecture with modern amenities and tiered seating, creating an engaging experience for all attendees.
Originally opened in 1927, the Carolina Theatre is one of Charlotte’s most iconic historic venues. After a meticulous restoration, the theatre reopened in 2025 as a vibrant gathering place for the community, hosting films, live performances, conversations, and special events. Its rich history, beautiful architecture, and central Uptown location make it an inspiring setting for connection and conversation.
Learn more about the Carolina Theatre here.
Originally opened in 1927, the Carolina Theatre is one of Charlotte’s most iconic historic venues. After a meticulous restoration, the theatre reopened in 2025 as a vibrant gathering place for the community, hosting films, live performances, conversations, and special events. Its rich history, beautiful architecture, and central Uptown location make it an inspiring setting for connection and conversation.
Learn more about the Carolina Theatre here.
Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Executive Search | Direct Hire | Staffing
Search Solution Group is a full-service recruiting, staffing, and executive search firm with over 20 years of experience forging connections between organizations and uniquely qualified candidates. Having specialized divisions and exposure to nearly every industry, our firm has the expertise and extensive talent network to tackle any hiring challenge. Our award-winning process, professional headhunting team, and commitment to helping our clients secure top talent sets us apart as one of the leading recruitment firms in the nation.
We are committed to assisting our clients in building world-class organizations by providing top talent, continual support, consultation, and innovation.
We are committed to assisting our clients in building world-class organizations by providing top talent, continual support, consultation, and innovation.
Presenting Sponsor
For over 40 years, sharing the stories of North Carolina's business community.
Business North Carolina covers one very special place—this state—and its economy, which is as diverse as the people who call it home. The publication is known for producing quality, in-depth journalism that goes behind the scenes to deliver current, thorough, and engaging stories. Whether in the boardroom or on the factory floor, Business North Carolina highlights not only key trends and events, but also the human side of commerce. With a highly qualified readership of business owners, C-level leaders, and top senior executives, the magazine offers direct access to the state’s most influential decision-makers.
The Carolina HR Standout Awards
The Carolina HR Standout Awards recognize HR professionals making a difference across North Carolina and South Carolina. Honorees are celebrated for their impact on people strategy, employee support, workplace culture, organizational growth, talent, leadership, and change.
Ten HR professionals will be selected to receive the 2026 Carolina HR Standout Award and will be recognized live at the Carolina HR Summit & Awards on October 19, 2026.
Nominations are free and open to the public. Visit the Carolina HR Standout Awards nomination page to learn more and submit a nomination.
Ten HR professionals will be selected to receive the 2026 Carolina HR Standout Award and will be recognized live at the Carolina HR Summit & Awards on October 19, 2026.
Nominations are free and open to the public. Visit the Carolina HR Standout Awards nomination page to learn more and submit a nomination.
Attendees may use this activity toward their SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® recertification requirements.
SHRM Recertification Credits
The Carolina HR Summit & Awards 2026 has been approved for SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs).
Activity ID: 26-S3RY9
Activity ID: 26-S3RY9
Questions? Contact Us:
[email protected]
[email protected]
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