#3 - Jamie Leonard: Why RecFest Feels More Like Burning Man Than a Recruiting Conference

What if a recruiting conference felt less like a business meeting and more like a music festival? That’s the idea behind RecFest, the world’s largest talent acquisition event — and today, its founder Jamie Leonard joins the show.

Jamie shares the story of how RecFest grew from an experiment in the UK into a global phenomenon, including its expansion into Nashville. He explains why the festival-style approach works, how it breaks down barriers between recruiters, and why real human connection is the core of the experience.

We dig into:

• Why recruiters often feel isolated and misunderstood in today’s market
• How RecFest builds community and gives TA pros a “big virtual hug”
• The green lanyard initiative that gives free tickets to job seekers
• The ongoing “AI arms race” between recruiters and candidates
• Wild recruiting advice (like mailing résumés on thick paper!) and nightmare candidate stories
• What attendees can expect at RecFest Nashville this October, from speakers like Melissa Thompson (Ford) and Rachel Alan (7-Eleven) to parties, activations, and unexpected connections

This episode is packed with stories — from recruiters behaving badly on LinkedIn to Jamie’s personal “recruiting nightmare” of being confronted by a rejected candidate outside his office.

If you’re a recruiter looking for connection, inspiration, and maybe a little fun, this conversation will convince you that RecFest is worth the trip.

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