The Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo™, the premier gathering of CHROs and HR leaders, successfully concluded, bringing together industry experts and practitioners to explore the future of work with a strong focus on human-AI collaboration, performance foundations, and evolving skills. This year’s event was rich with data-driven research and expert insights, providing attendees with valuable opportunities to validate strategies, innovate HR practices, and stay ahead of rapidly shifting industry trends.

Mercer was proud to participate prominently at the event with our two speaking sessions and welcoming visitors at our booth. Our team shared the latest thinking on HR transformation, redefining skills success, and integrating AI into HR functions to drive sustainable change and business impact.

On Monday, October 27, Jason Averbook, Mercer’s Senior Partner and Global Leader of Digital HR Strategy, delivered a compelling session on how AI is reshaping work and accelerating HR processes. He outlined Mercer’s blueprint for human-machine teaming in HR, emphasizing a shift to a cross-functional, tech-forward, demand-driven operating model designed to lead change rather than simply adapt to it.

On Tuesday, October 28, Deena Harvanek, Partner and Change and Communication Solutions Leader, alongside Craig Johnson, Partner specializing in Change, Communication, and Digital Engagement Strategies, presented Mercer’s latest research on Employee Experience (EX). They introduced a four-stage EX Maturity Journey and shared practical, data-backed actions to connect EX initiatives to measurable business outcomes, underscoring EX’s role as a core business driver.