General Information

What is the HRSouthwest Conference?

The HRSouthwest Conference is one of the largest regional events for human resources professionals and those who supply products and services to the HR industry. Recognized as the official State of Texas SHRM Conference, the event is important to HR practitioners recertifying their SHRM and HRCI designations, discovering the latest in HR products and services, and networking to share best practices, compare “war stories,” and have fun. 

Who should attend the event?

The conference is designed to provide world-class SHRM and HRCI-accredited education, dynamic networking events, and a robust Marketplace of HR-related solution providers. Individuals who are involved in the creation, management, and/or implementation of human resource-related policies and practices should attend. Educational sessions are tailored to all professional levels. 

I live outside the U.S. Do I need a visa to attend the conference? 

In addition to adhering to 2026 travel restrictions from your country of origin into the United States, a few countries require a visa for entry into the U.S. We recommend checking in advance with your country’s local U.S. consulate. We do not provide letters confirming proof of attendance. 

Do you have a Duty of Care plan? 

Organizers of The HRSouthwest Conference are actively engaged with the City of Fort Worth, hotels in the room block, and the Fort Worth Convention Center, and follow all recommended safety and wellness protocols and adhere to all local and state guidelines. While COVID-19 variants will remain with us for the foreseeable future, we are now better positioned to “live with the virus" with a sense of “normalcy" and continued safety. We provide hand sanitizer and hands-free registration. Our goal is to create the safest conference environment possible. 

Where can I rent a scooter? 

Contact Mobility City of Fort Worth for scooter rentals (682) 267-3269 or visit their website here. 

I have a Service Animal. What are the rules? 

Individuals with disabilities may bring service dogs to all areas of the Fort Worth Convention Center (FWCC), including areas open to the public, program participants, customers, patrons, or invitees. A service animal can be excluded from the FWCC if its presence interferes with the legitimate safety requirements of the FWCC. A service animal must have a harness, leash, or other tether or be under the handler’s control through voice commands, hand signals, or other effective means. A service animal is any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals. 

Where should I park?

There are many parking areas within walking distance of the Fort Worth Convention. The closest are the Houston Street Parking Garage at 1200 Houston Street and the Commerce Street Parking Garage at 1301 Commerce Street. Rates vary by lot. Use SpotHero to pre-book parking. 

What is appropriate attire? 

Business casual is suggested for all events. Layering and bringing a sweater or light jacket are recommended. The meeting rooms are chilly! 

Are there discounted hotel room rates?

Yes. Five hotels are in the conference room block, all within walking distance of the convention center. 

What is required to reserve my accommodations?

All hotel reservations require a deposit for the first night for each room.

Registration Information

What is included with my Conference registration? 

Event registration includes educational sessions, access to the Marketplace floor, daily networking breaks, two buffet lunches, and two evening networking events. How much does the HRSouthwest Conference Cost? Conference rates vary by HR association membership type and date of registration. 

Are Pre-Conference Workshops included?  

No. Workshops are not included in your Conference registration. Additional registration and fees apply. 

Can I register for Pre-Conference Workshops without attending the Conference? 

No. Pre-Conference Workshops are available only to full conference attendees. Workshops can be added to your conference registration at any time.

Can I register only for The Marketplace? 

No. Marketplace-only passes are not available. 

How can I pay for my registration? 

We accept American Express, Mastercard, and Visa credit cards for payment. Payment in full is required to process your registration. 

Do you accept checks for registration payment? 

We do not typically accept checks. However, exceptions may apply to certain entities, such as government agencies, schools, and similar organizations. If you believe you qualify for an exception, don't hesitate to contact attendees@hrsouthwest.com to confirm eligibility and discuss payment options. 

How will I know I'm registered? 

You will receive a confirmation by email. Please save the URL to your safe sender's list so you can receive important attendee communication. 

Do you have group discounts? 

Yes. Register five or more team members simultaneously, and all team members will receive a 10% discount. 

Can I bring my child to the event? 

No. Children are not permitted. Including during the exhibitor setup on Sunday, October 11. 

Can I bring a guest? 

Guest passes are NOT available this year. 

When is the last day I can register for the Conference?  

You can register onsite in Fort Worth. Remember, rates are less expensive the earlier you register.

Who can I contact with questions regarding my registration? 

Send your questions to attendees@hrsouthwest.com.

Cancellation Information

How do I cancel my registration? 

Cancellations CANNOT be made through the registration system. All cancellations must be sent via email to attendees@hrsouthwest.com.

What is the cancellation policy? 

A $75 non-refundable administrative fee plus a percentage of the registration cost. The percentage refunded is dependent on the cancellation date. Refunds are paid to the original payer via the original payment method. 

The HRSouthwest Conference reserves the right to cancel or revoke any registration for any reason without a refund. 

How do I receive my refund? 

Refunds are paid to the original payer via the original payment method. 

The HRSouthwest Conference reserves the right to cancel or revoke any registration for any reason without a refund.

Substitutions and Transfers 

Can I transfer my registration to another person? 

Yes. Substitutions are accepted, provided the transfer request is submitted by midnight on Friday, September 25, 2026. The original registrant's company must email the transfer request to attendees@hrsouthwest.com. A $50 transfer fee will apply to all substitutions. 

Can I transfer my registration to next year? 

No. Registrations are not transferable to future Conferences. 

I can only attend part of the conference. Can someone else attend the rest in my place?  

Partial transfers are not permitted. You may, however, transfer the entire registration to another individual. The use of a registered attendee's conference badge by anyone other than the registered attendee is strictly prohibited. 

What if an emergency prevents me from attending at the last minute?  

We understand that unforeseen circumstances and emergencies occur; however, organizers have incurred costs in anticipation of your attendance. In most cases, cancellation fees will apply, and all cancellation policies will be enforced. Send an email to attendees@hrsouthwest.com to share your situation.

What if I have to transfer my registration at the last minute? 

If you have a last-minute substitution and a transfer is necessary onsite, the new registrant must present written authorization on the company's official letterhead (digital copy OK) confirming the transfer of the registration. A $50 transfer fee will apply to all substitutions. 

Event Postponement or Cancellation 

What happens if the Conference is postponed? 

Should circumstances arise that result in the postponement of an event, DallasHR Management Association, Inc. (DHRMA) has the right to either issue a full refund or transfer your registration to the same event for the new date. DHRMA is not responsible for reimbursing participants' expenses related to the cancellation or postponement of an event. 

What happens if the event is canceled? 

DHRMA reserves the right to cancel an event due to low enrollment or other circumstances that make it unviable. If DHRMA cancels the event, registrants will be offered a full refund. DHRMA is not responsible for reimbursing participants' expenses related to the cancellation or postponement of an event.

Education Information 

What are Pre-Conference Workshops?

Pre-Conference Workshops are three hours long and explore current topics in depth. Attending a workshop earns you three (3) recertification credits. 

Are workshops included in my full conference registration? 

No. Additional registration and fees apply.

Will education sessions be available online after the event? 

Education sessions will NOT be available online after the event. 

Can I go to any education session I want? 

You can attend any education sessions held Sunday through Tuesday, October 12 – 14. Seats are first-come, first-served. Due to fire marshal restrictions, standing is not allowed in education rooms. 

How do I receive HRCI and/or SHRM recertification credits for the sessions I attend? 

All attendees receive an event survey at the end of the conference. You must complete the survey to receive credit for your hours. Credit codes are available at the end of the survey. 

Can I plan out my schedule before I arrive? 

Yes. You can view education sessions on the Conference website until you receive access to the event's mobile app. In the mobile app, you can add sessions and plan your schedule. Speaking in 2026 

Speaker Information 

I’m interested in speaking at The HRSouthwest Conference. The official Speaker Call for Proposals will open at the end of February 2026. See the For Speakers Tab for more information. To be notified when it opens, email speakers@hrsouthwest.com.