UKG Celebrates Purpose, Aspiration at Inaugural UKG Aspire

Gathering of nearly 5,000 UKG customers, partners, and industry influencers explores what’s possible when all people have a great workplace

UKG, a leading provider of HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions for all people, today announced nearly 5,000 customers, partners, and HCM thought leaders participated in UKG Aspire 2022, both in person and virtually, during the four-day gathering to explore the power of purpose and aspiration at work. UKG also announced UKG Aspire will return next year to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

“It’s energizing and awe-inspiring to be surrounded by thousands of like-minded leaders who all want to accomplish the same, singular goal of creating great workplace experiences,” said Jane Graham, group vice president of relationship management at UKG. “UKG Aspire is more than a customer conference: it’s an event designed to stoke the imagination of CHROs and chief people officers, HR and operations leaders, and payroll and IT professionals to reimagine what businesses can achieve when we focus on people.”

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UKG Aspire featured 200 in-person sessions and opportunities for hands-on learning, networking, technical training, and panel discussions on emerging trends. Jay Shetty, the award-winning storyteller, podcaster, and bestselling author, delivered the opening keynote address on mindfulness and purpose in life. Author and motivational speaker Cindy Solomon spoke about courageous leadership. Dan Cnossen, a Navy SEAL Lt. Commander, seven-time Paralympic medalist, and current UKG ambassador, shared his personal story about overcoming challenges and obstacles in pursuit of personal and professional dreams.

Organizations that leverage UKG technology as part of bold strategies to create meaningful and connected workplace experiences were in the spotlight during the UKG Innovation Awards. These customers were recognized for their use of UKG full-suite HCM solutions or strategic offerings such as UKG Wallet to transform their cultures and modernize employee experiences.

Those in attendance also had the opportunity to get the very first look at new UKG innovations, industry-first products, and unique initiatives focused on people, including the:

• Unveiling of the UKG Great Place To Work Hub to transform data-driven diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) decisions
• Expansion of a collaboration with Microsoft to simplify employee technology experiences
• Introduction of the UKG FleX platform to ensure organizations can quickly benefit from emerging applications and innovations
• Creation of a culture-focused consulting partner network to guide organizations through long-term culture transformations

Also at Aspire, UKG debuted UKG Labs, a startup ecosystem and virtual laboratory for early-stage companies from around the world whose products and visions align with the UKG Life-work Technology approach. All six UKG Labs startups exhibited at the Aspire Technology Expo, which featured nearly 100 UKG partners, including participants in the UKG Diversity Accelerator Program, which works with diverse-owned and diversity-focused technology companies to provide highly targeted support and resources to foster innovation and maximize supplier diversity in the HCM industry.

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Talented musicians from the Los Angeles-based Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, which provides instruction in the performing arts to at-risk youth, headlined the UKG Aspire Evening of Inclusion hosted by UKG executives, sharing music and inspirational stories about the power of the arts to build self-esteem, develop civic responsibility, and improve academic success. Aspire’s four-day celebration reached a crescendo on the final night, with a private concert by the GRAMMY Award-winning rock group Imagine Dragons.

“Everyone has aspirations, and our aspiration for UKG Aspire is to provide an annual gathering that is unparalleled in the HCM industry by helping our customers tackle the most pressing issues for the year ahead and guide them step by step through the journey of becoming a great workplace for all people,” said Chris Todd, CEO at UKG. “Whether it be the wisdom of Jay Shetty, the energy of Cindy Solomon, the inspiring stories of Dan Cnossen and Fernando Pullum, or the innovative ways our customers are using technology to enable them to better care for their people, the first UKG Aspire was a remarkable event. We can’t wait to build on the momentum next year.”

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