RecruitFest (first annual) or I left a boot in Toronto

Every so often you meet people with such a sense about things, such innate instincts that it awes you. That is the sense I had about Jason, his team (amazing wife and coordinator Michelle) and the teachers that he’d chosen to the lead the tracks at RecruitFest 2008 in Toronto.

Jason Davis is someone I consider a friend, so the opportunity to go to a conference he envisioned and implemented, particularly in his hometown, seemed like a no-brainer. But as the event got closer, I wondered if I could truly be objective of this “unconference” for recruiters.

I shouldn’t have worried. In effect, RecruitFest addressed (in its differences) some of the issues I have with conferences at large. This is not to set it up as competition (although with a price close to a 4th of what other conferences charge, it could be) but to point out that there is value and some significant tactical advantages that can result from re-imagining what is.

RecruitFest’s differences started in the promotion: There were no glossy mass-mailed slicks, no weekly email blasts, nothing but personal invitations from Jason and others who thought RecruitFest was worth a trip across the border. Also not present? bags of goodies, massive screens, brightly colored booths, and not a single iphone giveaway! (Please do NOT misunderstand, I dig iPhones and goodies and am nearsighted so big screens are not offensive, I am drawing “perpendiculars” if you will).

10 am Friday- I arrived early, as I am used to conferences beginning at some ungodly hour. But there was little to do but eat a leisurely breakfast and watch the guests arrive. Old friends and new faces, all were welcomed but at first the differences were not terribly obvious. People were at first reserved, there was some tentative passing out of business cards, all standard fare at these things.

But everything standard went straight out the window when we walked into a room filled with drums. A drum circle often conjures up visions of sweaty lodges, Birkenstocks and “finding yourself”. However, with an energetic (and grounded) teacher who made it more about team-building and rhythym than anything “granola”, it was a surprisingly efficient way to advance intimacy between participants and get energy going for the day. (IMHO, waaay better than asking your neighbor three things about themselves, yawn-ish).

Once that was done, there was no oversight of which sessions we went to or in what order we went to them. All the participants were encouraged to attend only three of the four sessions led by John Sumser, Susan Burns, Craig Silverman and Scott Love. One thing I didn’t see? People standing in the halls. Ever. Another thing curiously absent? People tapping away at their laptops in the back of the room. In the sessions, every face was rapt with attention, every opinion was given floor time and even seasoned veterans were scribbling notes. People were (gasp) learning. . .

You have probably read write ups about the poker party and accompanying dance party/jam session that took place later at Jason and Michelle’s beautiful home. Read more here and here. See pictures here.

On Saturday, after some (ahem) intense yoga, we had a great social media session led by the incomparable Dennis Smith, not about the how but the why.

But you’ve likely read about the sessions and I don’t want to synopsize what the session leaders could likely do much better. What I want to discuss were the effects. From sourcing geniuses to multi-talented, in the trenches recruiters, to big billers recently featured in the WSJ, all the participants walked away:

- with their voice being heard
- greater pride and understanding of the industry
- practical ideas to help grow their business
- having just spoken with some of the greatest names in the industry
- inspired to take their honed talents back to the field
- pages and pages of notes
- a deeper sense of community (particularly important for isolated third party shops)

I could go on and on about RecruitFest, I really could (I think I actually have) but let me say this: When someone who loves the industry, has worked the industry from many different angles, and who effectively brought his entire family into the industry decides to hold a conference. . .you should go. You will not be left unchanged.

Two sweetheart Canadian ladies who should be mentioned: Alex and Maha, you ladies are great! Thanks for the shopping trip! And of course, Susan Kang Nam, my lovely (much neater) roomie.

Also I left my boot in Toronto while racing to catch the plane because I cannot apparently set an alarm properly. Hence the title.

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