RecFest USA Recap: Part I

Why do vendors show up at conferences?

Because buying B2B software is still buying from people.

You can have a snazzy UI and decent AI, but if people don’t understand your story, your purpose, or what makes you different, you’re missing the point.

I’ve seen a lot of good products in my ten years of hiring. Some of it even great. But it’s the people at the companies that make them exceptional. And having worked on the recruiting tech vendor side, and now going out on my own, it’s the relationships that matter most.

And I’m proud Building the Talent Machine gets to work with amazing partners to tell their stories.

So here’s a shout out to the ones who I’m grateful for who believe in my mission to upskill and uplift the recruiting industry one conversation at a time.

Jonathan Wigodsky and Antonio Miguel Javiniar at Teamtailor…because ATS native interview transcription and customizable career page templates should be table stakes in 2025.

💫 Natalie Stones and Jesse Sims at Findem because candidate rediscovery is the most underrated superpower in recruiting right now. Real recruiters know the job doesn’t stop at posting. It’s still about finding, engaging, and closing. The best candidates? They’re not applying. Always be sourcing.

Talent Collective because community ends in unity, but honestly, I’d argue it begins with it. Natalie and ✨ Krista Scarborough Tan ✨ are as real as they come, and the members keep this space grounded in laughter. Seriously the funniest people hang out at these parties. And I’m privileged to be an advocate, ally, and friend of the family for these gatherings.

Haley (Russo) Petricca, MPH and Maria Christopoulos Katris at Built In because they’re part of my origin story. I found my first tech recruiting job on Built In. Used their programs to help scale multiple Best Places to Work companies. So sitting down with their CEO was a full-circle moment. What they are building for hiring in a post-SEO internet is unbelievable. Just ask the 15 customers and friends folks I interviewed about it.

So here’s to another RecFest USA in the books. Jamie Leonard you’re the best, dude. And Nashville…recruiting looks good on you.

The future of hiring is here.

And so is the next generation building it.