The Alternative Staffing Alliance, a national association of social purpose staffing companies, convenes for its seventh annual conference September 25-27, 2013 in Portland, Oregon, and we’re thrilled to be co-hosting the event!
So, we all know what a temporary staffing agency is, but what is an Alternative Staffing Organization? Alternative Staffing Organizations, or ASOs, are social enterprises that combine a temporary staffing business model with supportive services to help job seekers with obstacles to employment enter and advance in the workplace. This includes people with physical or mental disabilities, but also includes individuals with criminal history, unstable housing, or past substance abuse.
What’s the program like?
The conference will feature a variety of workshops designed to help ASOs strengthen their businesses and expand employment opportunities for job seekers with barriers. Local presenters include leaders from Inavero, Lead to Results, A Social Ignition and New City Initiative. Social enterprise leaders from the Social Enterprise Alliance, Business4Better, VeraWorks, and REDF along with staffing industry experts from Haley Marketing, Goodwill Staffing Group and Bingham Consulting will also be on hand to educate and inspire.
Attendees will have an opportunity to accompanying DePaul Industries’ sales staff on prospect and customer visits. In addition, they’ll tour DePaul’s Packaging operation and two other local companies that use alternative staffing services and employ people with barriers, Dave’s Killer Bread and MetroPaint.
“Our annual conference is the premier networking and learning event for alternative staffing practitioners and others from around the country who are interested in this social enterprise strategy,” says Janet Van Liere, Member Services Coordinator for the Alternative Staffing Alliance. “We’re excited about meeting in Portland, and look forward to welcoming workforce development professionals and social entrepreneurs from the Northwest region and beyond.”
Where do I get tickets, and how much does it cost?
Members of the Alternative Staffing Alliance ticket price: $250. Non-members ticket price: $300. Best of all, if you book through Friday, August 23, you’ll save $50!
The conference will be held at The Heathman Hotel. Discounted hotel rates of $182 per night (inclusive) are guaranteed through September 3. Use the group code ALTSTAFFING or ask for the Alternative Staffing Alliance group rate. A post-conference winery tour of the nearby Willamette Valley is also available for only $50.
>> For ticketing details, visit http://altstaffing.org/2013-conference-registration-and-hotel-information/
