Professional recruitment conferences offer a host of benefits to attendees and are an important opportunity for training and development. We’re getting into the thick of our conference planning for 2024, and here are some of the main reasons members cite as reasons for attending in-person events.

Networking—Year after year, networking ranks as one of the top, if not the main, reasons for attending professional recruitment conferences. This can come from meeting other like-minded professionals in your practice area. It can mean meeting speakers or service providers and bringing those resources into your office for your whole team. It can mean getting to know the staff of the hosting organization and how that can lead to future business opportunities. We’ve seen speakers gain new business by talking with sponsors about other events. We’ve seen service providers create business opportunities among each other. And we’ve seen personal and professional relationships that have blossomed into lifelong friendships as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s guest blogger is Carola Chard of CMCC in Hong Kong. CMCC was established in 2009 as a specialist recruitment firm for the apparel, footwear, toys and consumer goods industry. Since 2017 the firm has expanded to include new technologies, financial and legal appointments. Carola is currently serving on the NPAworldwide board of directors. Today she discusses the value of face-to-face meetings through the lens of our recent Global Conference in Atlanta, Georgia (USA).

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, especially in the post-COVID era, face-to-face meetings are often overshadowed by the convenience of virtual interactions.

In a world where virtual meetings are commonplace now, it was refreshing and uplifting to meet and greet members from all over the world in Atlanta. Read the rest of this entry »

Attending a recruitment conference can be an excellent opportunity to hone your craft. There are dozens of events held every year – there is a good list on this site. It can be difficult to decide which one(s) to attend. Many 2020 events are already scheduled; for example, early registration is currently open for our Global Conference. Here are some tips to help you decide where to spend your time and money:

Start with the content

A recruitment conference is likely to have a specific purpose, mission, or theme. Learn what that is and whether it ties into specific goals you have for your desk or firm. If it’s an event about sourcing but your job is business development, it might not be the best fit for you. Some events focus more on personal networking and relationships. Others provide a classroom training experience.

Who else is attending?

Is there a specific trainer or speaker you’d like to hear? Does the event offer appointment scheduling? Does the recruitment conference include clients or job seekers you can help? Are you likely to meet a lot of new people, or reconnect with old friends? How about the event sponsors? All these groups of people offer valuable connections.

Where is it?

Conference destinations are always interesting. We spend a lot of time thinking about destinations that are intriguing, accessible, and affordable. We survey our members and keep a close eye on where other organizations are holding events. So from a business standpoint, we try to be very tuned-in to destinations that are likely to draw a healthy number of attendees. But, there are other reasons why people attend. Sometimes it’s to visit a client or do some business prospecting. Sometimes attendees piggyback on to another event that is being held nearby. Still others have an opportunity to visit friends or family or use the conference destination as a way to build a memorable vacation.

How much does it cost?

Many attendees look at the cost of a recruitment conference before they look at any other factor. It is also important to calculate value and/or return on investment (ROI). Viewing a recruitment conference as an investment instead of an expense can help you make a better decision about attending. Professional development is an investment in your career. Some investments show their ROI in a short amount of time; others take longer. If you are able to learn one or two tips that save enough money or time to recover the cost of your attendance, you’re in great shape. Investing in your skills makes you a better recruiter and makes your business a stronger competitor.

The recruitment conference landscape is rich; you’re sure to find something that meets your needs. Make 2020 the year you invest in yourself!

I wrote in a previous post that independent recruiters should invest in professional development as one of their resolutions for the new year. Below is a partial list of just SOME of the global recruiting conferences taking place this year. No matter where in the world you are located, there are ample opportunities for training, education, and peer networking. Make a commitment to attending one or more of these industry events!

The Global Recruiter UK Summit, February 11, London, United Kingdom – This year’s program promises to help recruiter attendees keep up with the changes in our fast-paced environment as well as preparing for the future. Read the rest of this entry »