RPI aims to promote the role of human resources as a profession, and provides networking, education, certification in workplace recognition.

A non-profit organization, RPI is currently sponsored by companies including Discover Financial Services, BMW Manufacturing, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Wells Fargo, and Sears.

A grassroots effort of professionals at AT&T, Walt Disney World, and Chevron, a small group of consistent management conference goers were impressed to form RPI (at that time known as the NAER) in order to share recognition best practices.

Tanner Company) made significant financial contributions and became the original founding sponsors, and the NAER was officially formed in 1998.

[7] Recent Best Overall Recognition Program awardees include MGM Grand (2007), Westfield Group (2006), and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (2005).