When it comes to building something remarkable in recruiting, it’s never just about the outcomes—it’s about checking in on the journey along the way. This last trip to the
HR Technology Conference was another reminder: progress in talent acquisition is best measured in conversations, connections, and the community it cultivates.
I touched down in Vegas on a mission: record special episodes of the Revol•TA podcast with friends, chat with Gem’s customers about the future of AI-native, all-in-one ATS solutions. Plus I was able to sit down with some of the best minds in the space—including folks like David Malloy and Natalie Stones over at Findem, Ike Bennion from Visier and John Woody over at Airbnb. I was in the booth with Tincup and Ryan Leary from WRKdefined when I wasn’t boots on the ground talking to industry leaders, listening to talks and case studies, in the analyst room getting briefed by startups, and meeting with new clients. A couple unexpected highlights were running into Matt Share, Product leader over at Partner Fleet, one of my favorite hiring managers I’ve ever had the privilege to work with who I had no idea would be there. Physically almost bumping into Nick Wang, literally one of the nicest folks on LinkedIn and an internet friend that become real life, and Diana Tsai, CEO of Upwage also gave a great talk, she’s one of the more interesting founders in this space and someone I always enjoy having real conversations with at these things. I also got to hang out with some influencer friends, Mike Peditto, Lorna Erickson and Victoria Gates. Literally the best folks. So many laughs. And of course, shout out to the incredible Lucas Lacy, the man behind the camera who showed up, how should we say…”in style”.
It was more than a slate of interviews—it was a chance to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and dig deep into what’s really shaping people’s lives inside and outside of recruiting.
In this world, filling reqs isn’t enough. The real work is nurturing relationships and building the kind of unity that makes everyone feel like they belong. Community means more than numbers; it’s the shared spirit that threads each conversation, every laugh at a conference happy hour, and all the honest exchanges about where we’re headed together.
What keeps me coming back to events like this is simple: the people. The recruiting community is brimming with leaders, strivers, advocates, and friends. Even as the conference season heats up, I’m celebrating the connections and the energy that make each gathering feel new—and worth coming back to, year after year.
Stay tuned for more stories, more podcast episodes, and more momentum. Building in public helps not just my own work, but, hopefully, gives encouragement to others to start, try, and grow too.
Here’s to new journeys and the next wave of recruiting talent.
Your Hype Man,
Brando ✌️
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