ClayHR at SHRM 2025: Connections, Conversations, and a Backpack Mix-Up to Remember!

The SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2025 in San Diego was an incredible experience — and ClayHR was thrilled to be part of the action. As one of the most influential gatherings in the HR world, SHRM brings together thousands of HR professionals, thought leaders, and solution providers with one shared mission: shaping the future of work.

At ClayHR, we’ve always believed HR should be a key driver of business outcomes — not just a supporting function. Our mission to make HR both frictionless and powerful resonated deeply throughout our conversations during the event. From strategic workforce planning to modern performance management, from skills-first talent development to intuitive time tracking — we showcased how ClayHR’s all-in-one platform is built to empower HR teams and business leaders alike.

And judging by the energy at our booth… we weren’t the only ones excited!

A Booth Buzzing with Ideas and Innovation

From the moment the Expo doors opened, the ClayHR booth was alive with energy. Attendees stopped by to see our platform in action — many for the first time — and left with a new perspective on what next-generation HR tech can truly offer.

Our team engaged in hundreds of meaningful conversations with HR professionals across industries — each with unique challenges, but a shared hunger for transformation. Many told us they were looking for a solution that breaks silos between HR, finance, and operations. Others were exploring better ways to develop and retain talent, or seeking a scalable solution as their businesses grow globally.

With ClayHR, they found a flexible, modular system that grows with them. Whether attendees were in need of OKR-driven performance reviews, competency-based learning plans, streamlined onboarding workflows, or real-time insights through powerful dashboards — we were proud to demonstrate how ClayHR brings it all together in one seamless experience.

The Cameras Were Rolling… and So Were the Laughs

One of the highlights of our SHRM presence this year was the spontaneous video shoots we hosted right at the booth. We captured HR professionals sharing their visions, challenges, and best practices — with a splash of humor and a lot of heart.

These video snippets didn’t just make for great content — they created space for authenticity. It was refreshing to see HR leaders open up about the highs and lows of their roles, and how technology like ClayHR can be a true partner rather than just another system to manage.

Stay tuned — we’ll be sharing these moments soon!

Gifts, Swag, and One Accidental Adventure

Of course, no conference is complete without a little fun. We handed out hundreds of Amazon and Starbucks gift cards to our booth visitors — a small thank-you for sharing their time and stories with us. And select lucky attendees walked away with our signature blue ClayHR backpacks, packed with sleek branding and perfect for any HR pro on the go.

But… one backpack ended up having a story of its own.

In a hilarious (and slightly mysterious) mix-up, one attendee ended up walking away with our CEO’s personal ClayHR backpack instead of the giveaway version. Inside? A couple of international metro cards from Tokyo and Singapore, some pens, and maybe a business card or two — nothing critical, but definitely unique!

If you’re that "lucky" individual who now owns a very limited-edition “CEO-signed” backpack — let us know! We’ll be more than happy to swap it out and send you a fresh, new one (with fewer airline miles). And hey — if the metro cards inspire a trip to Asia, we’d like to think ClayHR helped spark your next adventure!

Thank You, SHRM — and the HR Community

Being at SHRM 2025 was more than just a marketing opportunity for us — it was a chance to listen. To hear directly from the people who are leading transformation inside their organizations. To understand what’s working, what’s frustrating, and where the next evolution needs to happen.

We left San Diego inspired. Inspired by the creativity of HR professionals, the diversity of challenges being tackled, and the shared sense that HR is not a back-office function — it’s a strategic engine for growth.

At ClayHR, we’re more committed than ever to building tools that don’t just manage people — they unleash their potential. We’re thankful for every conversation, every handshake, and every laugh we shared at SHRM.

If you visited our booth — thank you. If you missed us, we’d love to connect online and show you what we’re building. And if you’re carrying a mysterious backpack that’s been to Japan… you might just be part of ClayHR history!

Let’s keep the conversation going. Connect with us, learn more at www.clayhr.com, and let’s build the future of HR — together.

#SHRM2025 #ClayHR #FutureOfWork #HRTech #EmployeeExperience #PeopleFirst #ClayHRAtSHRM #HRTransformation