We spoke with Andrea Kirby, Director for The Recruitment Events Co. Australia about their flagship event, RecFest, in Melbourne this October. With talent acquisition professionals travelling from interstate and overseas, not only is the event an excellent opportunity to share ideas, undertake professional development and peer-to-peer networking, it’s a chance to have fun and experience great conversation.
Andrea, why should Australian recruitment and talent acquisition leaders attend RecFest this year?
Unlike other conferences, we have a real focus on peer-to-peer learning. We don’t just sit attendees in front of a speaker and make them listen. We integrate table conversations so people can connect with others, and those tables move around all day!
People who attend are absolutely committed to the wider recruitment that’s at work in Australia. It’s a load of fun and unlike any other conferences!
Not to mention, it’s a cost-effective form of professional development for TA leaders and their teams. Often, teams attend the event, hear messages, and apply it to what they are working on, instead of just leaders listening and repeating it back to their teams. It’s a great way for teams to learn and be inspired.
While the majority of attendees are from Melbourne, people are travelling interstate and from overseas. Travel costs are always an important consideration, but it’s a relatively cost-effective form of professional development and a really great opportunity for people to come together.
What can attendees expect? What is exclusive to RecFest that attendees won’t get at any other recruitment event?
Expect lots of great content and short sharp half-hour presentations! Our speakers are more practical than theoretical, so attendees will gain some key takeaways that they can apply to their workplaces.
Attendees also have access to our speakers. We have “ask me anything” sessions sponsored by Indeed with the speakers where people have the opportunity to ask follow up questions to explore ideas and topics in more detail.
The other thing that’s quite exclusive is our evening Recfest Rocks segment where people can network in a casual setting. Our vendors don’t take people away to conduct exclusive events, everyone comes together.
Our events are very equal. We don’t have name tags, so you could be sitting next to anyone – a talent acquisition coordinator, the head of talent acquisition or a vendor. At our events, everyone is the same and is there to create communities. It’s about connecting.
Tell us more about this year’s theme.
Our theme this year is “heroes”. Last year, our event theme was “Spring” (spring to action, the revolutionary Arab Spring). This year, it’s about the good things we can accomplish through recruitment. Our vendors will host tables and decorate them with the “hero” theme. I hope someone does a David Bowie table…
We really encourage people to have fun with the theme. Some people decorate their hair or work aspects into their outfits. We want to focus on all the good ways we can help people and improve the way we work through recruitment. It’s really a celebration of recruitment.
Not only this, but 5% of ticket sales contribute to Wear for Success, helping disadvantaged people return to work.
What are you most excited about for RecFest?
I’m so excited! It’s always amazing to see recruiters coming together and the decorated tables. Imagine all those 300 recruiters in capes as superheroes in the main room! There will be so many people in the room having fun and learning.
Our second stage is currently being developed with Pass Technology sponsoring it. The first part of the morning will be people matters, and the afternoon will be about “disruption” using technology with more discussion-style sessions.
Who are you excited to hear speak? Who are your keynote speakers?
Many of our Australian speakers are all members of our Resourcing Leaders 100 Group. This group meets regularly to discuss recruitment. (Find the full list of speakers here.)
One of our major sponsors is Thomas International. Derek Redmond is a British Olympian with a truly inspiring story about his journey and crossing the finish line. He is a performance consultant, and motivational, inspirational and keynote speaker who works with Thomas International. I’m really looking forward to hearing him speak about his experiences, overcoming barriers and how to set goals to achieve a vision. It will be so great to have an Olympian onstage.
The Recruitment Marketing Mag team will be RecFest. We hope to see you there!
Register for the event and purchase tickets through The Recruitment Events Co. Australia website.