Hiring, retaining, motivating and empowering employees is one of the biggest challenges facing Home Technology Professionals today. So it’s not a surprise that the upcoming CEDIA Business Xchange plans to focus on this need.

The event, which will take place May 11-13 at the Kona Kai Resort & Spa in San Diego, is a highly targeted gathering of owners and senior managers of residential integration companies with the drive to make their businesses stronger and more prosperous.

Among the key sessions that will be held include “How to Build a Great Team … And Keep It,” “Getting Good People to Stay,” “Top 10 Employment Law Mistakes,” and “Hiring for Attitude.” As with all the sessions, the plan is to spur interaction among the attendees to share ideas and problems (and solutions). Attendees are invited to bring documents that they use for their business for training, sales and marketing, and operations.

According to a study by Leadership IQ, 46 percent of newly hired employees fail within 18 months. Contrary to popular belief, technical skills account for only 11 percent of why new hires flounder. Number one on the list? Poor attitude — a flaw that many managers admit was overlooked during the interview process. Thus, in the “Hiring for Attitude” session, bestselling author Mark Murphy will delve into interviewing techniques when hiring, how to determine if a candidate is “coachable,” and the six words to never use in an interview.

The event will also provide settings beyond just the classroom for more networking. There is a Welcome Cruise in San Diego Bay that includes a stop on Coronado Island where attendees will search for treasure in a scavenger hunt. The following evening, attendees will partake in a Beach Olympics and Barbeque. On the closing day, there will be a tequila tasting in Old Town San Diego.

Early bird registration ($100 off) ends March 30. Members: $999.  Non-members: $1499.  There is also a discount for bringing multiple attendees.