As longtime supporters of RecFest, we’ve watched it grow into a must-attend event for talent leaders, and this year delivered on every expectation.
The week of RecFest USA 2024 was already shaping up to be memorable. Earlier in the week, we launched the next evolution of our brand at shaker.com, we debuted our first experiential activation at RecFest USA.
We also created RecFest USA’s first-ever Green Room experience, hosted by The Chad and Cheese Podcast, where speakers shared exclusive insights on the future of recruitment marketing and talent acquisition. This immersive experience gave attendees a unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the minds shaping the industry.
To further encapsulate the RecFest USA experience, we asked the #ShakerRM team members in attendance to describe their favorite moments from the event.
John Graham, VP of Employer Brand, Diversity, & Culture
“My session at RecFest USA with Celinda Appleby from Visa and Julia Levy from AutoZone explored employer branding challenges, transparency, AI in talent acquisition, and DEI alignment. With Visa embracing AI and transparency, and AutoZone focusing on long-term talent development and internal DEI priorities, both leaders highlighted the importance of balancing technology with human connection. The conversation was dynamic, kicking off with a fun audience question using Julia’s magic 8-ball, and sparked further discussions throughout RecFest.”
Connect with John on LinkedIn.
Rachel Morgan, VP of Client Services
“Getting to meet Chad and Cheese in the Shaker x RecFest Green Room was a RecFest highlight. I loved getting to sit down with them to chat about all things TA technology and the vendor space, it was awesome. In particular, I enjoyed talking with Chad about upcoming technology and partner considerations in 2025, the ongoing focus on AI, the shift towards social media, like TikTok, for career advice, influencer marketing, and shifts in the market where clients are focusing their time and efforts.
An additional highlight – it was great to see our clients in person and chat about 2024 successes and areas of focus for 2025, like renewed employer branding projects, new technology considerations, and media efficiencies.”
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.
Peter Carr, VP of Client Services
“My favorite part of RecFest was attending the sessions of some of my clients. Shaker’s very own John Graham Jr. hosted a panel discussion with Julia Levy from AutoZone and Celinda Appleby from Visa, which was an intimate discussion on the future of recruitment marketing. In a separate session, Julia spoke about the complexities of TA technology and gave tips on how to consolidate and simplify workflows. Great insights!
Bobbi Landreth, a Managing Director of HR at FedEx, was a featured speaker on the Inspire Stage. She spoke about the enormous task she undertook during the company’s recent transformation efforts – leading the charge on elevating the global candidate experience, strategically investing in recruitment marketing, and aligning the talent acquisition function with FedEx’s global business needs. It was fascinating – they both rocked it!
Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.
Christina Pickle, VP of Client Services
“I knew by reputation that RecFest was THE place to be but experiencing it first-hand exceeded my expectations, big time! The vibe of the festival allowed for spending quality time with clients both old and new. At times, I referred to it as ‘ReunionFest,’ as not only did I get to bond with my clients, but I was also reunited with so many people I have worked with throughout my long career in this wonderful industry. It is hands down the best TA conference I have been to in a very long time!”
Connect with Christina on LinkedIn.
Gina Alioto, VP of Marketing
“We did something really special this year: Shaker Recruitment Marketing debuted the next evolution of our brand through an experiential activation. Each person on our team contributed to creating an immersive environment for delegates, speakers, partners, and analysts to connect and engage in a way that communicated who Shaker is and embodied the spirit of RecFest. This is what experiential marketing is all about: bringing a brand to life in a way that resonates long after the event ends. And how our brand was recognized and appreciated in such a powerful way at RecFest USA is a moment we’ll always remember.”
Connect with Gina on LinkedIn.
Flannagh Fitzsimmons, New Business Development Specialist
“RecFest was one for the books! I had a blast meeting new faces and sharing the magic of our experience. Plus, it was heartwarming to see my colleagues catching up with clients they’d known for years. It felt more like a reunion than an industry event! Between all the connections made between our people, our clients, our partners, and industry peers, it was clear that Shaker was making a lasting impact.”
Connect with Flannagh on LinkedIn.
Shavon Banket, Sr. Director of Strategic Content
“My favorite part of RecFest was being there with the Shaker team as we launched our evolved brand and had our largest activation to date. Seeing it all come to life and being received so well felt really special. From brainstorming content opportunities with the marketing team (shoutout to all our Dudes and Dudettes With a Sign. IYKYK.) to pivoting those plans when the weather refused to let us be great (we were still great), the teamwork and bonding is something I’ll cherish.
In addition to the above, seeing how the festival-like atmosphere brought thousands of recruitment marketing professionals together to exchange insights and tackle industry challenges was a sight to behold. DEI and AI were key themes again this year, and even though I spent less time in sessions, those topics sparked some of the best one-on-one conversations. The discussions around AI, especially Julia Levy’s advice to use it for efficiency but to keep the human element in decision-making, stood out to me. I also appreciated the continual growing focus on DEI, where there’s a clear need for more collective support, especially from leadership. It was energizing to see how passionate people are about driving real change in the industry.”
Connect with Shavon on LinkedIn.
To learn more about RecFest USA, visit recfest.com/usa.
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