The Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA) is set to host its Annual Conference from February 11 to 14, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—near where AMC Global is based! This event serves as a premier gathering for professionals in the qualitative research field, offering a platform to exchange insights, explore emerging trends, and network with peers. We are looking forward to a comprehensive program featuring keynote speakers, interactive sessions, and ample opportunities for professional development.
We are going to kick off the conference with Women in Research (WIRe) on Tuesday, February 11th, at their inaugural opening luncheon—offering a great networking opportunity to start the show right. Make sure you’ve registered, and we will see you there. That evening, there is a meet-and-greet dinner to continue connecting with others before the conference kicks off.
Wednesday in the Opening General Session, Margaret Watts Romney will guide us through her talk, “Speak to Lead: Your Ultimate Guide to Everyday Influence.” She will explore how our words shape leadership—whether we hold formal titles or not—and provide practical steps to strengthen leadership communication based on neurology and purpose-driven speaking. Directly after her presentation, Peter Totman will share about the different types of qual researchers, along with insights on how clients perceive each segment. And throughout the day we are looking forward to learning opportunities in all the conference tracks.
Not to be missed on Thursday, February 13th, at 2:30pm our Vice President of Qualitative Research, Ashley D’Annunzio, will team up with Lori Walker, Kai Fuentes from Ebony Marketing Systems, and Iris Yim from Sparkle Insights in the Professional Development track to present work from Women in Research (WIRe) and the Insights Career Network (ICN). The session “From Bias to Brilliance: Building Inclusive Teams for Greater Business Impact” will explore the findings from the ICN’s recent Hiring Study, shedding light on how traditional hiring practices—such as focusing on “culture fit” and relying on biased networks—can stifle diversity and limit team performance.
During this engaging session, attendees will gain actionable insights into how these biases hinder innovation and creativity within teams. Ashley, Lori, Kai and Iris will discuss practical strategies for building more inclusive teams, helping organizations not only foster diversity but also enhance business outcomes. With an emphasis on leading projects that encourage creative thinking and produce successful results, this session will equip professionals with the tools to break free from outdated hiring practices and create environments that truly drive business impact. Don’t miss this opportunity at QRCA to learn how inclusivity can unlock brilliance in research and business alike, mark your conference calendar now!
We hope to see you there at QRCA’s Annual Conference in Philadelphia! If you can’t make it, and would like to connect with Ashley or receive a copy of her presentation, please reach out to us.