Workforce trends are evolving rapidly, with automation, AI, remote work, and skill-based hiring reshaping how companies' source and manage talent. This conversation will explore how organizations can adapt to a more flexible, skills-driven workforce while ensuring agility, diversity, and long-term workforce sustainability. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Embrace emerging technologies to streamline talent acquisition and future-proof workforce strategies. 
• Redesign roles and workforce models around skills, not job titles, to tap into broader and more diverse talent pools. 
• Foster a culture of adaptability to thrive in a dynamic and distributed work environment. 

As we wrap up 2025, what lessons have we learned in contingent workforce management? Have technology, partnerships, and evolving processes truly delivered on their promises, or are we still facing the same challenges? In this forward-looking discussion, industry leaders will reflect on the biggest wins and setbacks of the past year while offering predictions and strategies for a successful 2026. Panelists will discuss shifting supplier dynamics, program innovations, compliance hurdles, and the evolving role of talent acquisition in a rapidly changing landscape. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Evaluate what strategies delivered measurable impact in 2025—and which ones fell short. 
• Identify critical focus areas for 2026 across compliance, supplier relationships, and innovation. 
• Leverage cross-functional insights to align talent strategies with evolving business needs. 

As workforce demands evolve, companies are shifting from traditional qualifications to a skills-first hiring approach. But what does this mean for contingent staffing? In this panel discussion, industry leaders will explore how organizations can redefine job requirements, leverage AI and assessments for skills validation, and create a more inclusive and agile workforce. Panelists will share real-world insights on implementing skill-based hiring within contingent programs and discuss challenges such as supplier adoption and compliance considerations. 

Key Takeaways: 

• How leading organizations are moving away from degree-based requirements toward a skills-first model. 
• The role of assessments, AI, and automation in matching candidates to the right roles. 
• How to ensure MSPs, staffing partners, and hiring managers align with skill-based hiring principles while maintaining compliance. 

In today’s talent-constrained and budget-conscious environment, procurement and talent leaders face a critical question: How do you maintain top-tier contingent talent without breaking the bank? This lively panel brings together program leaders who have successfully shifted their focus beyond just cost savings to drive meaningful ROI, while still managing financial pressure. Panelists will share strategies to elevate program impact through smarter supplier relationships, performance measurement, and executive alignment—without sacrificing talent quality. 

• Develop a balanced scorecard to evaluate talent quality 
• Establish clear supplier performance benchmarks 
• Create an executive-facing program impact report