HRevolution Conference – 2nd edition – Arad, November 11 2025

HRevolution Conference, 2nd edition – November 11th 2025 – Arad, Hotel Ibis Styles

This is not “just another conference”, it’s an end-to-end experience which redefines HR conferences for us all.

On November 11th in Arad, Romania’s most nonconformist HR conference is back. This edition is built around a key theme: Innovation in HR.

Last year, we promised that HRevolution would not be a typical HR conference. And that’s exactly what happened. There was energy, there was emotion, there was authenticity. It was an event where people didn’t just sit passively in their seats—they lived an experience that transformed them from spectators into main actors.

Watch the aftermovie from the first (2024) edition and get ready for an even more impactful event:

Participants Testimonials

“Thank you for the initiative and the way it was carried out! For me, it was WOW!!!”

”Thank you so much for the exemplary and bold organization of the conference, from which we returned with truly ‘vibrant’ ideas. I’ll admit, we had a great time—you managed to offer us a unique experience. The speakers (kudos, Adela, for the energy of your presentation), the surprise moments, and the food… oh, the food!… really raised the bar.”

”I’ve attended 4 conferences this year, but this one is by far the best. I didn’t expect it to be this good! Are your trainings just as amazing?”

“Absolutely amazing! Out of the ordinary!”

Have you ever attended conferences where the presentations felt straight out of a textbook, the sponsors were busy advertising themselves, and the participants left tired and without any real value? We have—at (too) many—so we asked ourselves:

What if we created a conference where people weren’t just spectators, but the main characters?

And that’s how HRevolution was born.

An event designed as a living, authentic, and interactive experience:

• Challenging and timely topics that go beyond trends, exploring future scenarios.
• Top international and local speakers who know how to inspire — and have the substance to challenge with.
• Practical workshops, where you don’t just listen, you practice/apply.
• Real networking with HR professionals, business leaders, and passionate experts — no “silo-networking” vibe.
• Surprise moments that remind you HR is about people, emotion, and connection.

For 20 years, we at Ascent Group have been creating projects that transform organizations, people, and communities. We’ve worked with dozens of companies and thousands of professionals in Romania and globally.

In 2024, we launched the first edition of HRevolution with the goal of offering something different: authentic, bold, and focused on real issues. The result? A room full of energy and engaged people — and feedback that it was…

“…the most vibrant HR conference I’ve ever attended.”

”A different experience from typical business events.”

”Hats off.”

”An original event we can all draw inspiration from. Everything was interactive, the audience was engaged in the conference moments in a pleasant, effortless way. From an organizational standpoint, everything was generous.”

This year, we’re raising the bar even higher.

This year’s edition theme: Innovation in HR

Because HR, as we know it, has reached its limits.

• How can AI transform HR?
• Is HR still a field where innovation is possible?
• What are the key areas where HR needs to reinvent itself?
• How do we build innovative processes and authentic employee experiences?
• How can HR become more than administration—a space for creativity and real impact?
• What will the organizations of the future look like?

These are just some of the questions we aim to explore at this event, where participants will be engaged from start to finish in a story about innovation, courage, pushing boundaries, and learning.

This year’s edition features:

• 4 keynote speakers
• 2 interactive workshops
• 1 panel with 3 experts
• New surprises

Agenda

Keynote Speakers

In 2025, HRevolution Conference is bringing together world-class speakers — leading experts who are shaping the future of their fields.

We’re thrilled to give you a first glimpse at who will be on stage this year and the inspiring topics they’ll be sharing. Consider this your sneak peek into the energy, insights, and innovation that await at our event. Get ready to be challenged, inspired, and part of a truly transformative HR experience!

DR. ROBERT COLLINS: “Artificial Intelligence in HR”

Dr. Robert Collins has been teaching Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the University of Oxford, UK, for over 25 years. He was one of the first voices helping people and organizations understand how these emerging technologies would impact individuals, teams, and organizational culture—preparing them for the tsunami of change that is already underway.

Inspired by the topic presented by Dr. Collins at the conference—“Artificial Intelligence in HR”—we naturally ask ourselves: Is AI purely a technology issue? Is it just an operational matter? The answer is NO! AI is fundamentally a human resources management challenge.

Artificial Intelligence will transform organizations, workplaces, and the way we work. Many high-quality jobs will disappear—replaced by “bots” and “agents.” To survive, organizations will need to reconfigure quickly if they want to navigate the AI tsunami successfully. Much of the organizational change required will need to be led by HR teams: reskilling, restructuring, adopting human-AI collaboration, and aligning core organizational capabilities in a world reshaped by the global digital revolution.

In this session, Dr. Collins will move beyond the hype surrounding these changes and help us answer some fundamental questions. Together, we’ll focus on what really matters:

🔍  Why AI is not just a tech issue—but a deeply human one
📉  How job structures are evolving and why HR teams must lead this transformation
🧭  The strategic, practical, and ethical mindset organizations need to weather this storm successfully
🛠  Practical tools to help align your organization and start adapting quickly

You can read more about Dr. Collins’ work on AI and organizational capability transformation on his blog:
👉 https://www.sent-ai-ance.com/blog

TIM SCHUURMAN: „Can we innovate in HR?”

In a world where innovation is no longer optional, we need leaders who don’t just talk about transformation—they make it happen.

That’s why we’re extremely excited to welcome Tim Schuurman to the stage in Arad—co-founder of DesignThinkers Academy, one of the world’s leading organizations in human-centered design and strategic innovation.

With over 20 years of experience across 25+ countries, Tim brings valuable global insights on what makes an organization truly adaptable and human.

Holding an MBA and an MSc in Financial and Business Management, Tim combines business strategy with design thinking to help companies evolve—not just quickly, but meaningfully.

His keynote speech—“Can We Innovate in HR?” will kick off a critically important conversation in the world of human resources:

🔍  What does real innovation in HR actually mean?
💡  How do we move from policies to progress, from checklists to experiences?
🤝  How can HR become a true engine of impact — not just in processes, but in people’s lives?

If you’ve ever felt that HR could be more than compliance and bureaucracy, this session is for you.

Tim will share practical methods, field stories, and an action plan for HR innovation, grounded in empathy, experimentation, and authentic purpose.

DENISA CHELU – Head of People & Organization – PPC România

Workshops

At HRevolution Conference, we’re bringing a touch of magic to the learning experience. ✨

Our Workshop Wizards 🧙‍♂️ aren’t your average facilitators — they’re experts with the magic wand of deep know-how, creativity, and experience. Through their guidance, participants will explore new perspectives, unlock fresh ideas, and find practical solutions to challenges that may seem impossible today.

Get ready for hands-on sessions where inspiration meets transformation—because at HRevolution, learning is nothing short of magical.

HOWARD KREIS: “Welcome to the Age of Listening”

Howard Kreis is the author of “Leading the Listening Organisation” and one of the most passionate advocates for meaningful dialogue in the workplace. His session, “Welcome to the Era of Listening,” is set to be one of those rare moments that will stay with you long after the event ends.

While many organizations focus on being louder—through branding, marketing, and technology—very few stop to ask the real question:

Are we truly listening?

Howard invites us to pause and turn our attention to the voices that matter most: our people.

Backed by over five years of international research across more than 500 organizations and captured in his groundbreaking book “Leading the Listening Organisation,” Howard’s work redefines what it means to truly listenwithin an organization.

This session goes far beyond employee surveys and feedback forms. It challenges outdated approaches and shows you:

✅ Why listening is no longer a “nice to have,” but a strategic driver of innovation and trust
✅ How most listening efforts fail — and how to fix them
✅ What it really takes to create a listening culture that fuels performance, engagement, and adaptability

This isn’t just about feeling heard—it’s about applying practical frameworks that transform how your organization makes decisions, hires talent, and creates tangible impact.

CLAUDIU TĂNĂSESCU & CĂTĂLINA SCHVENINGER: „Let’s play with the Agent – Agentic AI în HR”

As AI evolves from a tool to a collaborative agent, Human Resources stands on the edge of transformation.
This interactive workshop explores how AI agents—autonomous, decision-making, and proactively supportive systems—are set to reshape the HR landscape, from talent acquisition to employee experience and strategic workforce planning.

Here’s what to expect:
✅ What is Agentic AI, and how is it changing the way we work?
✅ Key use cases in HR: from recruitment and onboarding to L&D and performance management
✅ Insights into how your role and your team’s responsibilities may evolve in an AI-driven world
✅ Tangible takeaways you can apply immediately
✅ Live demo: “Let’s play with the agent” – a hands-on exploration of how Agentic AI can be applied in HR

The workshop is co-led by two exceptional minds: Claudiu Tănăsescu and Cătălina Schveninger—an AI expert and a globally experienced HR leader.

Claudiu Tănăsescu is the CEO of both ByteCrew and Solid 3D, where he leads pioneering work at the intersection of Agentic AI, robotics, and autonomous systems.
With a strong background in software development and artificial intelligence, combined with two decades of business strategy expertise, Claudiu drives the development of AI-powered solutions designed to collaborate with and enhance human capabilities in the workplace. He is currently based in Amsterdam.

Cătălina Schveninger is a globally respected HR leader, currently based in London, who brings hands-on, real-world insights directly into the discussion.

If you’re ready to move beyond the AI headlines and experience real transformation, this workshop is for you.

Panel: Tim Schuurman (DTA), Mihaela Popa (Hella/Forvia), Octavia Sabou (Michelin)

Special Moments

At HRevolution, we promised to deliver a unique experience full of surprises — and we’re keeping our word. We’ll also explore territories rarely seen in business conferences, featuring special guests from the worlds of art, music, sports, and beyond.

HRevolution isn’t just about HR. It’s about energy, inspiration, and memorable experiences:

🎨 Food Experience → a live cooking show with Nissara: a sensory delight and the perfect setting for organic networking.
🎵 Music & Art → organizations need rhythm and creativity, too
✨ Magic & Surprises → yes, HR can also be fun!

Why attend HRevolution?

Whether you’re an HR professional eager to stay ahead of the curve, a business leader looking to strengthen your organization’s talent strategy, or simply someone passionate about the future of work, HRevolution is the event for you.

We invite you to join us — to embrace the challenges we’ve prepared, and then, inspired by what you’ve learned, become a catalyst for sustainable transformation in your organization!

What will you gain by attending the conference?

✔ Practical insights you can apply immediately in your organization.
✔ Meaningful, long-lasting connections with HR and business professionals.
✔ Inspiration and renewed energy to reset your vision.
✔ A day filled with new ideas, resources, and valuable contacts.

Attendance options

Super early bird fee: 129 euro + VAT (until June 2)

Early bird fee: 149 euro + VAT (until July 1)

Regular fee: 199 euro + VAT (until October 17)

Late worm fee: 249 euro + VAT (until November 1)

Last year, we promised that HRevolution would be different. And it was.
This year, we’re committing to even more.
On November 11th, in Arad, we’ll be shaping the future of HR together.
Will you join us?

Register now!

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Event Partners

In this section, we will be back soon with the presentation of our partners and sponsors for this year.

Pentru mai multe informații:

Cristina Balaciu

• [email protected]