PA State Council of SHRM

What PA State Council of SHRM does

PA State Council of SHRM is the Pennsylvania state affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), operating as a nonprofit professional association headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, with a lean central staff of 6 employees supplemented by an extensive volunteer leadership structure. The organization functions as the governance and programmatic conduit between National SHRM and 25 affiliated local chapters across Pennsylvania, spanning major markets including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Erie, and Reading. It does not charge membership dues; instead, it generates revenue through conference registration fees for three signature annual events (Legislative & Legal Conference, Volunteer Leadership Conference, Annual State Conference), corporate sponsorships and exhibitor packages across multiple tiers, an online merchandise store whose proceeds are directed entirely to the SHRM Foundation, and donations supporting SHRM Foundation initiatives.

PA SHRM's service portfolio centers on professional development programming offering both SHRM and HRCI recertification credits, scholarship programs ($4,000 university scholarships and $1,000 SHRM certification scholarships), the Best Places to Work in PA employer recognition survey, and specialized Core Leadership Areas including Diversity & Inclusion, Emerging Professionals, and Workforce Readiness. The organization holds the 2024 SHRM Excel Platinum Award (the highest SHRM recognition), Top-10 Fundraising State Council status from the SHRM Foundation for 2024, and SHRM Recertification Provider designation for 2025 alongside HRCI Approved Provider status.

Operationally, the council relies on the MemberLeap platform (a product of Vieth Consulting) for website operations, member login, event registration, and email communications. Distribution occurs through the chapter network, direct conference registration, an e-commerce merchandise store, and digital channels including LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and weekly Wednesday email updates. In 2024, the organization reports impacting more than 5,000 HR professionals across the Commonwealth through its combined programming, advocacy, and conference activities.

Name

PA State Council of SHRM

Legal name

Pennsylvania State Council of SHRM

Website

https://pashrm.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PA State Council of SHRM is the Pennsylvania state affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management, operating as a nonprofit professional association that connects National SHRM with 25 local chapters serving 5,000+ HR professionals across the Commonwealth through conferences, scholarships, and advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pennsylvania

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: Revenue generated from registration fees for three annual conferences including the Legislative & Legal Conference, Volunteer Leadership Conference, and Annual State Conference. These events offer SHRM and HRCI recertification credits to attendees.
2. Sponsorships and Exhibitor Packages: Corporate sponsors and exhibitors pay to participate in events, receiving recognition and booth space in front of statewide audience of leading HR professionals and volunteer leaders.
3. PA SHRM Store Merchandise: Online store selling SHRM Pennsylvania merchandise and HR topic materials. 100% of proceeds go to the SHRM Foundation.
4. Donations: Contributions to SHRM Foundation that benefit HR research, academic scholarships, certification scholarships, and HR programs and development. PA SHRM is recognized as a Top-10 Fundraiser by SHRM Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PA State Council of SHRM is a nonprofit professional association that serves as the conduit between National SHRM and 25 affiliated local chapters across Pennsylvania. It provides professional development, networking, and advocacy through three signature annual conferences (Legislative & Legal Conference, Volunteer Leadership Conference, and Annual State Conference), scholarship programs, recognition awards, and a merchandise store — collectively serving more than 5,000 HR professionals annually. The organization does not charge membership dues and operates on a volunteer-driven model supported by event fees, sponsorships, and donations.

Product overview

PA State Council of SHRM is a professional association serving as the link between National SHRM and 25 affiliated local chapters across Pennsylvania. Rather than a unified software platform, the organization offers a portfolio of programs and services centered on three signature annual conferences (Legislative & Legal Conference, Volunteer Leadership Conference, and Annual Conference), scholarship opportunities (University Scholarships and SHRM Certification Scholarships), the Best Places to Work in PA recognition program, an online merchandise store, and member engagement initiatives including Diversity & Inclusion and Emerging Professionals programs. The organization does not develop or sell software products but rather provides professional development, networking, and educational resources to HR professionals throughout the Commonwealth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Legislative & Legal Conference A single-day educational conference focusing on important updates in labor, employment law, and legislative developments, typically held in late April or early May. Designed for HR professionals needing recertification credits and current legal/regulatory knowledge.
• Volunteer Leadership Conference A no-cost single-day educational training event for current or prospective volunteer leaders for the PA State Council or local chapter boards and committees, typically held in July. Offered at no cost to participants.
• Annual State Conference A two-day educational conference featuring national speakers and local business leaders addressing topics relevant to the HR profession, typically held in September at Wyndham Hotel & Conference Center in Lancaster, PA. Designed for HR professionals across Pennsylvania.
• University Scholarships Scholarships awarding $4,000 each to one graduate student and one undergraduate student majoring in Human Resources or HR-adjacent fields, based on academic achievement, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and community service.
• SHRM Certification Scholarships Scholarships of $1,000 each for individuals pursuing SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification, with recipients required to submit proof of testing and passing scores during designated testing windows.
• Best Places to Work in PA Program A survey and award program that identifies and recognizes Pennsylvania's best employers and provides organizations with valuable employee feedback. Eligible organizations must have at least 15 full- or part-time employees working in Pennsylvania and be in business for a minimum of one year.
• PA SHRM Store An online store selling SHRM Pennsylvania merchandise and HR topic materials, with free shipping on orders over $150.00. Proceeds benefit the SHRM Foundation.
• Emerging Professionals Program A program supporting recent graduates entering HR careers, mid-career changers, and those returning to school, providing connections to PA SHRM, local chapters, certification pathways, conference opportunities, and volunteer involvement.
• Diversity & Inclusion Core Leadership Area A program overseen by a Diversity Director that monitors diversity issues, works with chapter diversity directors, and provides resources to help manage diversity and inclusion in chapters and workplaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• Impacted more than 5,000 HR professionals across the Commonwealth in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MemberLeap (Vieth Consulting)coreTechnology or IntegrationMemberLeap, a product of Vieth Consulting, provides the website platform powering PA SHRM's membership management, event registration, and organizational operations. The platform enables member logins, event registration, and email communications.
• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPA SHRM operates as an Affiliate of SHRM, serving as the professional conduit between National SHRM and 25 affiliated local chapters in Pennsylvania. The partnership provides access to SHRM's certification programs, A-Team volunteer opportunities, recertification providers status, and national conference participation.
• SHRM FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPA SHRM raises funds for SHRM Foundation which works to expand access to work and help workers and workplaces thrive. PA SHRM was recognized as a Top-10 Fundraising State Council for 2024. The Foundation provides scholarships for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications. 100% of PA SHRM Store proceeds go to the SHRM Foundation.
• Pennsylvania Diversity CouncilOthersThe Pennsylvania Diversity Council's mission is to enhance appreciation for and understanding of the value of diversity and inclusion. PA SHRM's Diversity CLA provides resources to help manage diversity and inclusion in chapters and workplaces.
• DiversityIncOthersDiversityInc is a dominant diversity publication that publishes the Top 50 Companies for Diversity assessment. PA SHRM references their resources and events as part of the Diversity & Inclusion Core Leadership Area.
• National Diversity Council - Diversity First Certification ProgramOthersThe NDC fosters understanding of D&I as a dynamic strategy for business success and community well-being. PA SHRM provides information about the Diversity First Certification Program established in 2015.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Texas State SHRM: State SHRM council for Texas HR professionals, affiliated with local chapters and offering statewide conferences, networking, and advocacy. Comparable structure and chapter-led model.
• Florida State SHRM: State SHRM council providing statewide conferences, chapter coordination, and HR advocacy for Florida HR professionals. Direct structural peer to PA SHRM.
• California State SHRM (CalSHRM): State SHRM council serving California HR professionals through affiliated chapters, conferences, and legislative advocacy. Highly comparable operating model and program portfolio to PA SHRM.
• New York State SHRM: Direct state-level peer — another SHRM state council serving HR professionals across a single U.S. state via chapters, conferences, and advocacy. Closely comparable structure, programs, and revenue model.

Broad incumbents

• ATD (Association for Talent Development): National professional association for talent development and learning professionals with chapter network, conferences, and certifications (CPLP). Comparable nonprofit membership model serving adjacent HR/L&D audience.
• WorldatWork: National nonprofit professional association focused on total rewards, compensation, benefits, and wellbeing. Adjacent HR professional membership body with certification programs (CCP, GRP) analogous to SHRM-CP/SCP.
• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): National parent organization of PA SHRM; the source of the dual-membership framework, certification programs, and Recertification Provider designation. Directly comparable as the broader HR professional association that PA SHRM is an affiliate of.
• HRCI (HR Certification Institute): National HR certification body (PHR, SPHR, GPHR) that partners with PA SHRM as an Approved Provider. A broader HR professional credentialing authority with comparable member/credential-holder engagement focus.

Emerging players

• ASA (American Staffing Association): National trade association for the staffing industry, including HR-adjacent workforce and talent themes. Comparable nonprofit association model with advocacy, conferences, and member programs but focused on staffing employers.

Others

• SHRM Foundation: Philanthropic arm of SHRM and a funding recipient of PA SHRM (Top-10 Fundraiser). Comparable nonprofit structure with scholarships, research, and HR workforce development programs aligned with PA SHRM's emerging professionals and scholarship offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PA_SHRM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pa-shrm

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about PA State Council of SHRM