- How to Plan Your RecFest 2025 Agenda (+ a Peek at the Exhibitors) - September 26, 2025
- Why PayScale Bought Datapeople: Facing the $300,000 Job Post Fine Problem - September 25, 2025
- Job Description Optimization: How a Small TA Team Revamped 4,000+ Job Postings - September 24, 2025
RecFest can feel like a music festival…for people who read HR Tech newsletters. If you don’t have a plan, you’ll leave with a tote bag full of swag and not much else.
So let’s fix that before RecFest 2025 kicks off in Nashville (in 3 weeks).
Lauren Windsor, the digital marketing lead for RecFest, put it best this week on LinkedIn:
“This year’s festival is bigger than ever – so much so that we’ve had to move to a brand-new venue in Nashville – The Fairgrounds.
The map’s been finalised, and seeing how it’s all laid out is making it verrry real 🤩
From the RecFest letters (perfect team photo spot 👀), to 80+ solution providers ready to showcase what’s next in TA & HR, food trucks to keep everyone fuelled, and spaces built for real connections…I can almost feel the energy already, but nothing compares to stepping into it IRL.”
If you’re planning to make the most of it, you need a micro-agenda. That means figuring out who to talk to, what to ask, and how to avoid wandering around like it’s your first day of school.
Why You Need a “Micro-Agenda” for RecFest 2025
RecFest 2025 is gonna be huge. The lineup includes dozens of sessions, over 100 exhibitors, and enough people in TA to crash LinkedIn’s servers if they all posted at once.
But if you’re in TA ops, comp, or even running point on job descriptions, your job isn’t just to show up. It’s to solve a specific problem. And that means getting laser-focused with your time.
Here’s how I build a RecFest 2025 micro-agenda:
- Start with your workflow pain point.
Not “learn what’s new.” Instead: “We still manually copy/paste job descriptions for every new role” or “our candidate surveys live in a spreadsheet.” Start there. - Pick 5-7 sessions max.
Anything more and you’re cramming. Look for ones that tie directly to the problem you picked. Bonus if the speaker has operator creds. - Target 4-5 exhibitors who solve that pain.
Not the biggest booths. The most relevant ones. Go in with a question that matters to your day-to-day. (I’ll list some recs below.) - Leave space for “outside the tent” convos.
That’s where the best insights sneak up on you. Don’t book every slot. Leave gaps for the unexpected.
Exhibitors Worth Your Time (Especially If You’re in TA Ops)
Below is the full list of exhibitors straight from RecFest. If you’re heading to Nashville, use it to build your hit list — and come armed with a few smart questions.
Simple Tips to Make It Stick
- Use your calendar app. Don’t rely on the lanyard map or the app (just in case the wifi gets strained). Block time like you would meetings.
- Have a question ready for each vendor. Not “what do you do?” Instead: “How do you integrate with Workday?” or “How do you measure success in the first 60 days?”
- Write your notes on their flyer or card. One minute later, you’ll forget who said what.
RecFest 2025 is fun, loud, and full of great people. But if you want ROI, treat it like a mission—and give yourself the gift of a clear plan.
Why I Wrote This
We talk to TA teams all the time who go to conferences, meet cool vendors, then go back to “business as usual” because it was all too much. Ongig helps you streamline job descriptions so they don’t suck up all your time. If you’re heading to RecFest 2025, I would love to meet you in person. Or better yet, book a demo now and bring your questions with you.
FAQs
What should I bring to RecFest 2025?
Comfortable shoes, a battery pack, your own printed agenda (or calendar app), and a list of vendors to visit with specific questions.
How do I choose the right exhibitors at RecFest 2025?
Start with your pain point. Then search for vendors solving that problem—not just the biggest booths or trendiest logos.
Is RecFest 2025 more for networking or learning?
Both, but your outcomes depend on your prep. Go in with goals, leave space for serendipity.
Where is RecFest 2025 held?
RecFest 2025 will be held in Nashville, TN. Check the official RecFest site for the venue and schedule.
Can I meet the Ongig team at RecFest 2025?
We won’t have a booth this year, but I’m always around for a chat. Book a demo and let’s connect before or after the event.
