SIOP Virtual Conference Content Available through July

Update on 2021 Call for Proposals

COVID-19 threw the world a curveball this spring, forcing companies and organizations to adapt in ways few could have imagined at the beginning of the year. SIOP, which was in the final planning stages for its 2020 Annual Conference, was no exception. But within weeks, with hard work and dedication from members, volunteers, and staff, the show went on.

“The annual conference is such an important event for our membership,” said SIOP Conference Chair Dr. Scott Tonidandel, professor of management, UNC-Charlotte. “The knowledge sharing, the networking, the socialization, and the inspiration that we all get from interacting and learning from one another at the annual conference isn’t something that we could lose even though we had to cancel the in-person event. The virtual conference allowed us to reclaim these vital activities.”

Over the course of two weeks (June 16-30), attendees explored the future of work and the role I-O psychology can play in meeting workplace challenges today and beyond in the SIOP 2020 Virtual Conference. Active discussions and live meetups rounded out the nearly 500 educational sessions offered to more than 2,000 registrants. More than 50 virtual meetups and 90 discussion threads were spotted, ranging from inclusive workplaces and COVID-19 response to pet photos and goat yoga.

Registrants can access sessions through July 31, allowing participants additional time to engage with sessions they might have missed, or that they want to re-watch, on their own schedule.

If you haven't already shared your thoughts with us about the conference (regardless of whether you attended or not), please take the conference survey. It will take about seven minutes, and closes July 15.

“I’m so humbled by and grateful for the community of SIOP conference go-ers and presenters that brought their passion, energy, and engagement to the virtual conference experience,” said SIOP Program Chair Dr. Elizabeth McCune, director of employee listening systems and culture measurement. “Given the circumstances, I couldn’t be more pleased with the participation we had in the virtual event, and the execution around our key principles of honoring the good work submitted to the conference, the need for community the conference provides, and the diverse needs of our members. The series of sessions on COVID-19 and the future of work that were added to the program and organized by Emily Solberg and Jason Randall were a particularly successful part of the conference, highlighting the important role that I-O research and practice has to play in the road ahead. Session content remains available through July 31 and I hope that all registrants will take advantage of this opportunity to view content they might have missed during the two-week event.”

SIOP thanks the eight partners who supported the virtual conference: Glint (Platinum Partner); Cappfinity, EchoSpan, Hogan and PTCMW (Gold Partners), and Amazon, Comms Multilingual, and Quintela (Silver Partners). They brought value to attendees by hosting opportunities to learn and network through video chats, participated in online discussions, and shared news of current job openings. SIOPers, please consider these organizations and their products and services as you look to solve your business problems.

Planning for SIOP 2021 is already well underway, with the Conference Committee holding its summer meeting this week. Given the timing of the SIOP 2020 Virtual Conference, the Program Committee plans to move back the 2021 Call for Proposals announcement and corresponding submission deadline a few weeks later than when they normally take place. More details about the look ahead to 2021 will be shared in next week’s Newsbriefs.