San Diego SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)

What San Diego SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) does

San Diego SHRM is a nonprofit professional membership association, operating as Chapter 130 of the national Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), serving HR professionals in the San Diego metropolitan area. Founded in 1945 and staffed by 21 employees, the chapter provides professional development programming, SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification exam preparation, mentorship matching, community groups, and an annual conference, alongside a Workforce Readiness Initiative that supports veterans and second-chance talent. The organization runs a dual-membership model with national SHRM, transitioned to 100% membership chapter status in 2021, and operates the "Road to 1000 Members" growth initiative to expand its local reach.

The underlying technology is primarily commodity association-management SaaS rather than proprietary infrastructure: the YourMembership.com platform hosts the membership database, event registration, and member portal, with Facebook and LinkedIn OAuth for social login and Zoom used for virtual events. Member experience is event-driven (monthly programming, annual conference, mentorship cohorts) and content-driven (HR resource library, certification prep), with no proprietary software product, application layer, or data product on the public record.

The business model is a three-stream nonprofit revenue structure: (1) recurring membership dues from individuals, priced at a member/non-member differential that effectively imposes a ~50–60% premium on non-members across events; (2) event registration fees from the annual conference and monthly programming; and (3) corporate sponsorships from a 2026 sponsor cohort und Diversified across multiple industries. Pricing is tiered and event-specific, with discounted access for members and premium sponsor packages for corporate partners. The customer base is split between individual HR practitioners (members) and corporate HR-function sponsors seeking visibility into the local talent community.

Name

San Diego SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)

Legal name

San Diego Society of Human Resource Management

Website

https://sdshrm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Diego SHRM is a nonprofit professional membership association serving HR professionals in the San Diego region since 1945, offering dual membership with national SHRM, certification prep, networking events, mentorship, and workforce readiness programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Resources Professional Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Resources (HR) & Talent (SHRM/HRCI) Certifications (EDAAANAE)

Keywords

• HR professional association
• SHRM certification prep
• Professional development events
• HR networking community
• Workforce readiness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego, CA

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees collected through dual membership model with national SHRM. Members receive access to networking, HR resources, legislative updates, career center, and professional development programs.
2. Event Revenue: Registration fees for professional development programs, certification prep courses, networking events, conferences, and social gatherings. Pricing varies by event type and member status.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for annual conferences, community groups, mentorship program, workplace excellence awards, and emerging professionals events.
4. Student Membership: Complimentary student memberships for SHRM student members, with pathway to full membership upon graduation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

San Diego SHRM is a nonprofit professional membership association serving HR professionals in the San Diego region since 1945. It sells dual national/local SHRM membership, professional development events, certification preparation courses for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credentials, an annual conference, mentorship programs, community groups, Workplace Excellence Awards, an HR career center, and workforce readiness initiatives for veterans. Members are recruited through the national SHRM website and engaged via local chapters, committees, and events.

Product overview

San Diego SHRM is a professional membership association serving HR professionals in San Diego since 1945. The organization operates as a unified membership-based platform offering dual membership with national SHRM, professional development events, certification preparation courses, mentorship programs, community groups, awards recognition (Workplace Excellence Awards), a career center, HR resources, and volunteer opportunities. The core offerings center on membership benefits, educational programming through conferences and certification prep, networking through events and community groups, and workforce development initiatives including veteran resources and emerging professionals programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dual Membership (San Diego SHRM + National SHRM) Annual dual membership combining San Diego SHRM local chapter membership with national SHRM membership, providing networking, HR legislation updates, career center access, and professional development. Purchased and renewed together on a single invoice through the national SHRM website.
• Annual Conference Fall annual professional conference featuring industry speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and networking opportunities for HR professionals in the San Diego region.
• SHRM Certification Prep Course 10-week in-person preparation course for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification exams using SHRM Learning System materials, including online access and printed textbook materials. Exam fee is separate. Members pay $1,395, non-members pay $1,695.
• Mentorship Program Program connecting emerging HR professionals (mentees) with experienced HR leaders (mentors) for career guidance and professional development, with separate application processes for both mentors and mentees.
• HR Executive and Top-Level HR Community Group Invite-only community group for senior HR executives and top-level HR leaders offering exclusive networking events, mixers, and programming tailored to executive-level strategic HR leadership.
• Workplace Excellence Awards (WEA) Annual awards program recognizing outstanding organizations in the San Diego region that set standards for excellence in workplace culture, innovation, and employee engagement, with sponsorship opportunities available.
• HR Career Center Dedicated job board and career resources platform for HR professionals in the San Diego region, powered by YourMembership.com career center product.
• Professional Development Events Calendar Recurring calendar of professional development events including breakfast programs, lunch programs, certification webinars, new member orientations, HR happy hours, and networking mixers with tiered member/non-member pricing.
• Emerging Professionals Program Program for emerging young HR professionals offering mentoring opportunities, professional development, networking events, and the annual Emerging Professionals Summit, with sponsorship prospectus available.
• Advertising and Sponsorship Program Program offering businesses opportunities to advertise on the platform and sponsor chapter events and programs including the conference, Workplace Excellence Awards, community groups, mentorship program, and emerging professionals summit.
• Veterans Resources Program Resources and programs supporting veterans transitioning to civilian careers, including veteran-friendly business listings, veteran service organization directory, and the Veterans at Work Certificate Program which earns 10 professional development credits toward SHRM re-certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 professional development credits toward SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP re-certification for Veterans at Work Certificate completion

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National SHRMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Society for Human Resource Management - parent organization. San Diego SHRM is the local chapter, and since 2021 became a 100% membership chapter requiring all members to also hold national SHRM membership.
• SHRM FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit foundation supporting HR research, scholarships, and initiatives including veterans hiring programs and workforce readiness.
• YourMembership.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider powering membership operations, website, event registration, email marketing, and career center.
• SDSU SHRM Student ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent chapter at San Diego State University hosting events and professional development for HR students.
• CSUSM SHRM Student ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent chapter at Cal State San Marcos hosting events and professional development for HR students.
• Optimum Comp AdvantageminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 corporate sponsor for San Diego SHRM events and programs.
• ScholarShare 529minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 corporate sponsor for San Diego SHRM events and programs.
• RetirementDNAminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 corporate sponsor for San Diego SHRM events and programs.
• BenefitProminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 corporate sponsor and venue host for certification prep course.
• gCheckminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 corporate sponsor for San Diego SHRM events and programs.
• Snakeoil Venues (Julep)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue sponsor for Executive/Top Level HR Community Group Summer Mixer event.
• Claremont Lincoln UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational partner offering 12.5% scholarship to San Diego SHRM members for M.A. in Human Resources Management program.
• 211 San DiegominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional nonprofit providing information and connections to community, health, and disaster resources, including veteran support services.
• San Diego Workforce PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran-friendly organization offering services for veterans, transitioning service members, and their families in finding employment.
• San Diego Community College DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans Affairs Office providing support for active duty military and veterans with priority registration and education benefits.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): The national parent organization of San Diego SHRM. Operates the SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification, Learning System, and chapter affiliate network that San Diego SHRM is part of; provides the brand, content, and infrastructure layer that local chapters extend.
• WorldatWork: Professional association focused on total rewards (compensation, benefits, wellbeing). Comparable in operating model (membership association, certification credentials, regional chapters, employer-facing resources) and overlaps in HR professional audience.
• AMA (American Management Association): National professional association for managers and business leaders offering certification, training, and events. Overlaps with San Diego SHRM's professional development programming and competes for the same HR/management professional audience for paid seminars and certifications.
• HRCI (HR Certification Institute): National HR certification body (PHR, SPHR, aPHR) and a parallel credentialing organization to SHRM. Comparable as the certification and continuing-education engine that HR professionals pursue, and a content/membership ecosystem competitor.
• ATD (Association for Talent Development): International professional association for talent development and learning professionals. Overlaps with San Diego SHRM's audience (L&D, workforce readiness) and offers comparable local chapter programming, certification (CPLP), and member services.

Direct peers

• OC SHRM (Orange County SHRM Chapter): A neighboring California SHRM-affiliated chapter serving Orange County HR professionals with similar programming (certification prep, networking events, legislative updates). The most direct model-comparable peer as a fellow regional SHRM chapter.
• PIHRA (Professionals in Human Resources Association): A large, California-based HR professional association operating chapter-style programming, certification prep, and employer outreach across Southern California. Closest comparable peer in terms of regional HR association model, certification focus, and member-driven event programming.
• SHRM Long Beach / Greater LA SHRM Chapter: Southern California SHRM-affiliated chapter serving Greater Los Angeles HR professionals. Operates the same dual-membership model, SHRM certification prep, and local networking programming — a direct chapter-format peer.
• Bay Area / Silicon Valley SHRM Chapter: Northern California SHRM-affiliated chapter serving Bay Area HR professionals with comparable dual-membership model, certification prep, and tech-industry HR programming. Direct regional chapter peer.

Others

• San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce: Regional business membership association in San Diego serving employers and executives. Adjacent, ecosystem-level peer that overlaps with San Diego SHRM's employer-facing sponsorships and workforce readiness initiatives but does not directly compete for HR professional members.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sdshrm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SanDiegoSHRM
• Facebookfacebook.com/sdshrm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sdshrm
• Instagraminstagram.com/sdshrm/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Diego SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)