Spartanburg Marriott | Spartanburg, South Carolina
The Southeast's Premier Talent Conference
Building the workforce the Southeast needs next.
The fourth annual Upstate Talent Forum brought together CEOs, business leaders, educators and workforce innovators to tackle one of the region’s most consequential challenges: finding, developing and keeping the talent our organizations need to compete.
From artificial intelligence and changing labor markets to mentorship, workforce development and stronger partnerships between education and industry, the Forum focused on what leaders can do now to build a future-ready Southeast.
The next Upstate Talent Forum is coming in 2027. Details will be announced soon.
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Why Attend?
Practical ideas you can put to work.
The Upstate Talent Forum brings leaders from business, education, government, and workforce development together to explore practical solutions for building the workforce the Southeast needs next.
Meet the decision-makers
Connect with CEOs, university leaders, major employers, workforce executives, and regional decision-makers tackling many of the same talent challenges as your organization.
Leave with what works
Explore practical approaches to recruitment, retention, skills development, K–12 and higher-education partnerships, workforce participation, and emerging talent challenges.
Recruit talent on site
Connect with employers and emerging talent through the Global Career Fair, held during the Forum on Wednesday, October 14.
Success Story
Proof this room works.
Business executives, educators and regional leaders gathered at the Spartanburg Marriott for the fourth annual Upstate Talent Forum, hosted by the University of South Carolina Upstate. The forum explored strategies to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline through collaboration among employers, higher education institutions and community partners.
This year’s theme, “The Talent Imperative: Building a Future-Ready Southeast”, framed discussions on economic trends, skills development and partnerships between education and industry to help communities across the Southeast prepare for future talent needs.
USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie L. Harris joined a distinguished lineup of business and education leaders, including Jeff Korzenik, chief economist for Fifth Third Commercial Bank; Kara Bloomberg, president of Landrum; John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE; Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute; Bert Thornton, vice chairman emeritus of Waffle House; Sherry Hartnett, principal consultant with Hartnett Group LLC; and Laura Ullrich, director of economic research for North America at Indeed Hiring Lab.
Explore More
Resources from expert attendees.
CEO Insights
Executive perspectives on workforce strategy, leadership, and economic trends shaping the Southeast.
Industry Spotlight
Focused insights into key industries across the Southeast, highlighting workforce needs, trends, and opportunities.
Workforce Multiplier
Strategies and partnerships that strengthen talent pipelines and expand workforce impact across the region.
Who will be there?
Your peers. Your partners.
The people shaping what’s next.
The Upstate Talent Forum brings together senior leaders from organizations across the Southeast — including employers, higher-education institutions, economic-development organizations, chambers, government, and workforce partners.
Featured leaders are from organizations including BMW, Landrum, McMillan Pazdan Smith, Koch Foundation, GSP International Airport, SC Department of Education, and more.
You could be part of it, too.
Become a Sponsor
You’re not buying a logo. Sponsors sit at the center of the room where the region’s CEOs, chancellors, and workforce leaders spend two days — with a reserved table of 8 seats, recognition throughout the program, and your brand in front of the people who hire, train, and invest.
Convening Partners
Presenting Sponsor
Featured Sponsors
Sponsors
Speakers
Hear from leaders shaping the future of talent.
Our speakers are nationally recognized experts and accomplished regional leaders working across workforce strategy, economic development, higher education, business, and talent pipelines. Here’s who will be speaking in 2026:
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