By Sacha Jackman
This week, we stepped outside our usual bubble and attended Transform—an HR conference in Las Vegas. You might be wondering: Why would internal comms professionals go to an HR event? Simple—because we’re all in the people business.
From a Timbaland performance at the afterparty to a puppy lounge where you could take a break with some furry friends, Transform wasn’t your typical conference. There were sessions on the future of work, leadership—and even psychedelics. Add in cocktail hours, an expo packed with cutting-edge tech, and the energy of Las Vegas, and you’ve got a conference experience that was as fun as it was insightful.
Even though there wasn’t dedicated time spent on internal communications, nearly every discussion reinforced the value of what we do. Employee experience, trust, culture-building, transparency, and helping people navigate change.
The Overlap Between HR and Internal Comms
At Transform, we found people who care just as much as we do about unleashing the potential in employees, shaping strong workplace cultures, and using technology to build smarter, healthier organizations. The conversations felt familiar—because at the core, we’re all working toward the same goals. And, we were excited to see Chuck Gose and Kristin Hancock from ICology and a few other internal communications professionals who, like us, understood the importance of being part of this event.
One thing is crystal clear: HR and internal communications are two sides of the same coin. Both functions are about creating workplaces where people feel informed, valued, and connected. But imagine the impact if we worked together more closely—aligning our strategies, sharing insights, and tackling challenges as a unified force. The potential to drive real change in organizations is huge when HR and internal communication professionals join forces.
The Expo
Transform also featured an expo filled with vendors showcasing the latest technology shaping the future of work. It was great to see so many innovative solutions designed to enhance employee experience, including platforms that directly support internal communications.
Two of our partners, Haiilo and Workshop, were there, showcasing how their platforms help organizations build stronger connections with employees. Seeing firsthand how technology continues to evolve in the internal comms space was both inspiring and a reminder that the right tools make a huge difference in how we engage and inform people at work.
Key Takeaways from Transform
Here are some of the biggest insights that stood out:
- Stop kicking the can down the road. Whether it’s DEI, communication, or culture-building, action needs to happen now—not someday.
- Lower the waterline. Like an iceberg, transparency means revealing more of what’s beneath the surface to build trust.
- Develop a recovery mindset. Organizations (and people) need space to reflect, reset, and rebuild.
- Optimism is a discipline. In a challenging world, actively practicing optimism can be a competitive advantage.
- Find the balance between diplomacy and disruption. Change requires both strategic patience and bold action.
- Intrinsic value matters. Employees aren’t just resources—they bring meaning and purpose to the workplace.
And, of course, no 2025 conference would be complete without some AI talk. One of the best formulas we heard:
AI + HI = ROI.
(Artificial Intelligence + Human Intelligence = Return On Investment)
AI isn’t replacing people—it’s augmenting what we can do when used strategically.
Final Thoughts
Transform was a reminder that whether you work in HR or internal communications, we’re all in the business of people. The conversations, insights, and connections we made reinforced the importance of building trust, fostering culture, and embracing new ways to support employees. It’s clear that the future of work will be shaped by those willing to think differently, act with purpose, and use the right tools—whether that’s AI, transparency, or even a little bit of disruption. We left feeling inspired, energized, and ready to bring these ideas back to our own work.
Oh, and in case you were wondering—yes, Timbaland did perform at the afterparty. And yes, it was incredible.
