The SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2025 brought together HR professionals, decision-makers, and industry leaders from across the globe. Held at the San Diego Convention Center, the event focused on the future of work—covering everything from talent development to technology, wellness, and benefits. With retirement planning still top of mind for employees and employers alike, the show was the perfect setting for a standout activation that blended financial foresight with interactive fun.
The Brand: Raymond James Financial
Raymond James Financial is known for its client-first philosophy and strategic wealth management solutions. At SHRM 2025, the company was spotlighting its 401(k) offerings—solutions designed to empower organizations and their employees to build a solid financial future. But rather than deliver a pitch, Raymond James wanted to start a conversation—one grounded in emotion, aspiration, and imagination.
The Experience: Picture Your Future
Enter our AI Photo Booth, customized for Raymond James to help attendees visualize retirement in a whole new way. As visitors stepped up to the mirror, they were welcomed by a custom interface asking, “How do you envision your retirement?”
Five themed prompts followed:
Fun in the Sun
Cool and Crafty
One with Nature
World Traveler
Setting Sail
From there, the AI went to work—transforming attendees into their future selves, immersed in the retirement lifestyle they selected.
The Output: Branded, Personal, Memorable
Each AI-generated image was framed in Raymond James’ signature blue and topped with the message:
“Prepare for your life tomorrow, today.”
Along the bottom: the Raymond James logo and iconic tagline, “Life Well Planned.”
The result? A personalized, branded keepsake that bridged the gap between financial services and emotional engagement. Attendees didn’t just walk away with a photo—they walked away with a vision.
The Takeaway: Financial Planning That Feels Personal
By pairing cutting-edge technology with a deeply human prompt, Raymond James created more than a moment—they created connection. In a sea of HR tech and benefits vendors, they stood out by showing—not telling—what’s possible when your retirement is thoughtfully planned.
And thanks to our AI Photo Booth, they did it in a way that felt fun, approachable, and perfectly aligned with the goals of SHRM 2025.
Raymond James Financial is a diversified financial services firm committed to helping individuals, corporations, and institutions achieve long-term financial success. With a reputation built on conservative management, in-depth research, and a client-first mindset, the firm offers a range of investment and wealth planning solutions—including 401(k) offerings that help businesses empower their workforce to retire with confidence.
The SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2025 is the Society for Human Resource Management’s flagship event, drawing thousands of HR professionals to the San Diego Convention Center. Known as one of the industry’s most influential gatherings, the conference explores the evolving world of work—from benefits and culture to technology and talent strategy—making it a key platform for thought leadership and innovation in HR.
