Talent Disrupted: Rewiring the Workforce in an AI-Driven Era

An Offstage with Soundings® recap of our session at Convening LATAM 2025

By Tracy Judge, Founder & CEO, Soundings

Why This Conversation Matters 

The business events industry is no stranger to disruption, but today’s workforce transformation goes beyond the usual. AI, shifting workforce expectations, and the acceleration of skills-based hiring are fundamentally changing how we design roles, build teams, and develop talent. 

At Convening LATAM, we hosted a two-part interactive workshop that moved from reflection to action. Alongside my co-presenter Avinash Chandarana, we guided attendees through today’s biggest workforce questions: What skills will matter most? How can we stay competitive as teams and individuals? And how can AI enable (not replace) human potential? 

Rethinking Talent: Why Roles Alone Aren’t Enough 

The traditional career path is breaking down. Job titles and linear trajectories are giving way to a more fluid model, one where skills, strengths, and adaptability take precedence. In today’s AI-augmented landscape, what matters isn’t just what someone has done, but what they can do next. 

We encouraged attendees to adopt a skills-first mindset, where potential and versatility take center stage. According to Soundings’ research, only 21% of companies in our industry are using skills- and strengths-based hiring practices. That leaves a massive opportunity for those willing to break away from outdated models and lead differently. 

The AI Advantage: Partnering with Technology 

AI is rapidly reshaping how we work. From content creation and chatbots to data analysis and virtual assistants, AI is already embedded in the business events industry, and it’s only accelerating. 

In our session, we emphasized this: AI should be viewed as an enabler of human potential, not a threat to it. It can reduce bias in hiring, streamline team operations, and personalize learning at scale. But it requires thoughtful integration. We addressed concerns like data privacy, ROI, and organizational resistance, and discussed how to move forward with clarity and purpose. 

Learning Is the New Loyalty 

The ability to learn–and relearn–is the most critical skill of all. With 58% of the workforce needing new skills to do their current jobs, continuous development isn’t optional, it’s essential. 

We introduced the concept of the “learning organization”, where growth isn’t a one-time workshop… it’s embedded in everyday culture. AI tools are helping personalize that journey, but the commitment has to come from leadership. Investing in learning doesn’t just future-proof your teams–it drives retention, with 88% of companies now citing learning as their #1 retention strategy. 

Designing Agile, Future-Ready Teams 

Rigid hierarchies and static org charts are no match for today’s pace of change. The future lies in blended, skills-aligned, and flexible team structures. 

We explored how to design teams that integrate freelancers, full-time staff, and AI-supported roles to meet evolving demands. This model not only allows organizations to scale quickly–it opens up opportunities for more diverse and equitable participation. Building for flexibility leads to better innovation, stronger engagement, and greater resilience. 

The Gen Z Effect: Purpose Over Pay 

Gen Z is redefining the workplace, and they’re not just looking for jobs, they’re looking for alignment. By 2030, they’ll represent a major portion of our workforce, and they’re demanding transparency, impact, and authenticity. 

In the session, we talked about how the business events industry can become a career of choice by highlighting purpose, values, and growth. Organizations that don’t show up with clear purpose and people-first cultures risk being invisible to this next generation of talent. 

Final Thoughts 

The future of work is already here. It’s faster, more tech-enabled, and more human than ever before. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or advancing your career, now is the time to get intentional. 

To everyone who joined us in Bogotá, thank you. Your energy, insights, and openness turned this session into a real catalyst for action. 

What’s one change you’ll make to future-proof your team or your career? Tell us in the comments section below.

Tracy Judge, MS, CMP
CEO & Founder, Soundings

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