Agenda at a Glance
Pre-Conference Workshops
Monday, February 3, 2025
9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. PT
Pre-Conference & General Conference On-Site Registration
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT Workshop AMastering Employer Brand Storytelling: Crafting Narratives That Attract Talent (Read More) This workshop offers an invaluable opportunity to learn how to craft authentic and compelling narratives that resonate with top talent. Through practical exercises, you’ll discover how to transform your company’s unique values and culture into stories that attract, engage, and retain the right people. Whether you're a seasoned recruiter or new to employer branding, this workshop will empower you to elevate your brand’s voice. Session 1 (30 mins): Introduction to Employer Brand Storytelling - Overview of storytelling’s role in employer branding. - How to find and develop stories that resonate with potential employees. - Group Exercise: Identify key moments and stories that define your company’s values. Session 2 (30 mins): Storytelling Structures - Explore different narrative frameworks (e.g., growth, belonging). - Breakout Exercise: Draft brand stories using different structures and present to the group for feedback. Session 3 (30 mins): Activating Your Story Across Platforms - Storytelling through various media (video, social, internal communications). - Create a content calendar to align storytelling with hiring objectives. Closing (30 mins): Q&A and Next Steps - Reflections, feedback, and actionable strategies for incorporating storytelling into your brand strategy. Why Attend? Attending this workshop will equip you with the storytelling techniques needed to build a distinctive employer brand. You'll leave with actionable strategies, ready-to-use frameworks, and a clear understanding of how to connect with talent in a way that sets your company apart. Don’t miss out on learning how to turn your brand’s culture into a powerful narrative that drives recruitment success.  | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT Workshop BThe Ultimate Outcomes: Positive and Fair Candidate Experience (Read More) Measuring recruiting activities and their outcomes is important for TA leaders and their teams. How many candidates are visiting our careers site and how many are applying? What are the differences between hourly and professional candidates and how does that impact recruiting processes and resources? While long-time recruiting and hiring metrics like Time to Fill, Time to Hire, and many others may still be recruiting canon, ultimately, business leaders want to know whether we are hitting our hiring goals to grow and sustain our business. That’s the ultimate outcome. But what can we do about the 90% who aren’t offered the job? It’s all about delivering positive and fair candidate experiences throughout the candidate journey for all job types across multiple demographics, which isn’t easy to do. Don’t miss this insightful and interactive TA Week workshop with Kevin Grossman, ERE Media VP of Research. Kevin will share the latest CandE Benchmark Research, break down what the highest rated employers are doing to improve their candidate experience, and conduct small group exercises to develop personalized recruiting strategies and tactics for key demographic groups. Key takeaways will include:
 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT Workshop CHow to Leverage AI for Employer Branding (Part I) (Read More) With the proliferation of AI and LLM features into the HRTech scene, it's time to take a look at how responsible AI can meet creative strategy to elevate talent acquisition and employer brand. In this hands-on workshop, dive into the intersection of AI and employer branding, exploring practical, ethical AI applications that fuel authenticity, efficiency, and engagement in talent attraction. Led by industry experts, this workshop equips talent acquisition leaders and employer brand professionals with actionable skills to ethically harness AI’s power for crafting brand narratives, building prompt precision, and personalizing candidate experiences. This immersive session starts with an AI primer, guiding you through the essentials of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), demystifying the difference and showcasing how each brings unique advantages to branding. Then, learn the art of ethical implementation with discussions on AI's responsible use, unveiling insights for identifying and aligning AI with your brand's core values and DEI goals. The journey continues with AI-powered tools that revolutionize content creation, engage diverse talent pools, and bring personalized brand stories to life. Through case studies and interactive demos, see real-world examples of AI enhancing employer branding. We’ll also dig into the essential do’s and don'ts, navigating the ethical nuances of AI to ensure every step is aligned with trust and transparency. By the end, attendees will develop AI-enhanced candidate personas, media strategies, and a future-ready AI roadmap. Join us to gain forward-thinking insights, a toolkit of practical AI strategies, and a clear path for integrating AI into your brand’s future—while always keeping your organization’s integrity at the forefront. Takeaways:
Part I: Responsible AI in Employer Branding (Morning Session 10:00-12:00)
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12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. PT
Pre-Conference Workshop Attendee Lunch
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. PT Workshop DConscious Inclusion in Hiring Practices (Read More) Your facilitator, Brooks E. Scott, the Chief Culture Curator of Merging Path Coaching, is a professionally certified Executive Coach and Interpersonal Communications expert specializing in management and leadership training, all with a focused lens of diversity and inclusion. He delivers conversational-style workshops designed to provide an open space to explore identity themes and topics.
Conscious Inclusion in Hiring Practices is a 120-minute training and discussion to provide leaders with a new perspective on creating inclusion in their hiring process. From the creation of the job descriptions, to our interview questions, to the evaluation of individuals in our hiring process; this course will serve to cover four objectives:
Join us for an active discussion as we move through this program together as a team. All participants are strongly encouraged to come prepared to set their work aside so we can powerfully engage with each other.
 | 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. PT Workshop EBeyond the Surface: Diving into Deep Web Sourcing and Automation for Talent Discovery (Read More) What if the perfect candidate for your role isn’t on LinkedIn? What if they’re hidden in plain sight—buried in the comment sections of niche blogs, mentioned in obscure meeting minutes, or captured in the attendee lists of industry events? The overabundance of content means that sourcing the right talent demands precision, ingenuity, creativity, and the ability to look past the obvious to search beyond the surface.
Join Shally Steckerl for an electrifying 2-hour deep dive into advanced techniques that redefine what’s possible in talent discovery. Shally will reveal strategies to uncover untapped talent pools by harnessing the full power of the deep web, unconventional platforms and simple automations.
Key Takeaways:
In this session, Shally will equip you with hacks that transcend Boolean logic and tap into unconventional data sources, giving you a competitive edge in any market. Walk away with strategies you can implement immediately, and tools to build pipelines of talent you didn’t even know existed.
Are you ready to move beyond the surface and revolutionize your sourcing game? This is your opportunity to explore the future of talent discovery with one of the industry’s most innovative minds.  | 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. PT Workshop FHow to Leverage AI for Employer Branding (Part II) (Read More) This cutting-edge workshop offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application in leveraging AI for employer branding. You'll gain hands-on experience with the latest AI tools and techniques, learn to craft AI-powered narratives that resonate with top talent, and develop strategies for responsible AI integration in your employer branding efforts. Part II: Practical Application and Strategy (Afternoon Session 1:00 - 3:00 PM) AI-Enhanced Employer Brand Storytelling
AI-Driven Candidate Persona and Media Planning
Measuring AI Impact on Employer Brand
Future-Proofing Your AI Employer Branding Strategy
Q&A and Action Planning
By attending, you'll be at the forefront of the AI revolution in talent acquisition, equipped with the skills to:
Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your employer branding approach and stay ahead in the competitive talent market. Join us to unlock the full potential of AI in shaping your organization's future workforce!
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4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. PT
Exhibit Area Preview + Sunset Social sponsored by Hope Leigh Marketing Group (Read More)
Hope Leigh Marketing Group presents the Sunset Social, a welcoming reception in paradise. Join us throughout the exhibit areas and enjoy a welcoming margarita!
5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. PT
Exclusive Dinner Hosted by Maki People (Read More)
Invitation only. Select TA Week attendees will receive an invitation and RSVP link for this exclusive TA Week dinner hosted by Maki People at the Tidal restaurant.
Day 1 — General Conference
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. PT
On-Site Registration + Exhibit Areas Open
9:00 a.m.–9:35 a.m. PT
Opening Keynote
Finding Your Gravity: Balancing Purpose, Passion, and Play in Talent Acquisition (Read More)
Chad MacRae, VP People at VAST, where he contributes to the mission of enabling long-term living in space through the development of artificial gravity space stations, kicks things off with the opening keynote at TA Week. This session will inspire you with insights into finding purpose, passion and play in talent acquisition. Chad will share his outside-the-box thinking that has propelled him and his talent attraction team out of this world.
9:40 a.m.–10:20 a.m. PT
The Power of Positive Psychology in Employer Brand and Recruitment Marketing Messaging (Read More)
Imagine the impact of recruitment marketing messages that spark curiosity, inspire action, and build lasting trust. In this engaging main stage session, Crystal Miller Lay, an award-winning employer brand leader with a background in brand, behavioral, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology, will demonstrate how leveraging the principles of Positive Psychology can drive candidate behavior, transforming the efficacy of your employer brand strategy and recruitment marketing campaigns.
Drawing from research-backed insights, compelling stats, and real-world case studies, Crystal will explore how to shift from transactional messaging to emotionally resonant storytelling that aligns with what today’s job seekers are truly looking for: growth, purpose, and belonging. You’ll learn how to inspire candidates and employees by crafting campaigns that connect authentically, ignite intrinsic motivation, and foster long-term loyalty.
Three takeaways you’ll walk away with:
- The Science of Messaging That Works: Learn how intrinsic motivators like purpose, belonging, and growth can be operationalized in your employer brand messaging.
- Tools to Move the Needle: Explore practical frameworks and tools to embed Positive Psychology principles into recruitment marketing and employer brand campaigns.
- Proven ROI Strategies: Understand how to measure the impact of psychologically informed messaging through key metrics and adapt these strategies to your organization’s unique needs.
Whether you’re looking to stand out in a crowded talent market, attract diverse talent, or amplify your team’s impact, this session will leave you inspired and armed with actionable insights to reimagine what’s possible in employer branding. Together, let’s shape a world where work—and the messaging around it—is as empowering as it is transformative.
RECRUIT STAGEWelcome to the RECRUIT Stage at TA Week SD 2025! Your host Dwane Lay, CXO of GBS Worldwide will kick things off in the Sunset Ballroom. | SOURCE STAGEWelcome to the SOURCE Stage at TA Week SD 2025!  | BRAND STAGEWelcome! Your dynamic emcees Maren Hogan and Chris Long will host speakers on the BRAND Stage!   |
10:40 a.m.–11:20 a.m. PT Recruiting on a Shoestring Budget (Read More) From large companies to small startups, in today's economy so many of us are operating on a shoestring budget when it comes to finding the right talent at the right time. How do you recruit effectively, even without a big budget? In this session, you'll hear strategies to increase engagement and bring attention to your brand when you are operating on a limited budget. Jamie will share tips for success in finding great talent despite a small budget from leveraging employees to using technology to your advantage. Join us to learn actionable takeaways any small team can incorporate.
 | 10:40 a.m.–11:20 a.m. PT Leading to Success: Getting More Out of Your Sourcing Team (Read More) Sourcing teams can be the engines that drive recruiting success or missed opportunities waiting to be fixed. Many TA leaders struggle to fully harness the potential of these critical specialists. This session provides a practical guide to building and leading a sourcing team that delivers results and transforms your talent acquisition function.
You will learn:
Whether you want to improve team structure, increase engagement, or achieve better results, you will leave with practical solutions to make it happen. Join this session to unlock the full potential of your sourcing team. | 10:40 a.m.–11:20 a.m. PT How to Avoid the Top 10 Employer Branding Mistakes (Read More) "Smooth seas don’t make good sailors.” In order to innovate, we need to take calculated risks, fail quickly, learn from mistakes and get right back up again. Many of us are self-taught, and are often the sole SME at our company. And unlike other professionals like dentists and financial advisors, we don’t get a specialized degree or license to practice employer branding.
Yet none of us are alone. We are a community of professionals who generously share our experiences and lessons learned—including those lessons that we’ve learned the hard way!
In this session, you’ll learn how to spot 10 common mistakes in employer branding, so that you can avoid them and take an alternative, more successful path. You’ll walk away from this session with more confidence so that you continue to take calculated risks as you innovate and sail your way to employer brand glory! Ahoy!
Key Takeaways:
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11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT How Asana Masters the Art and Science of Optimizing Recruiting (Read More) Is recruiting an art or a science? At Asana, it’s both. In this fireside chat, JuliAnna Dunning, Head of TA Ops & Strategy at Asana, and Leigh Miller, Head of Talent Advisory at Gem, will explore how Asana optimizes the recruiting experience for all stakeholders—recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates alike. JuliAnna will share how Asana is transforming legacy processes, elevating recruiter effectiveness, and using automation to build a more strategic and impactful talent organization—all while setting a new standard for collaboration, innovation, and long-term success in recruiting.   | 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT Bridging the Gap: Turning Gen Z Talent Trends into Recruitment Action Plans (Read More) Gen Z candidates are reshaping the recruitment landscape with high expectations for rapid employer response times, an increasing reliance on AI in their job search, and a tendency to keep searching for opportunities even after accepting offers. In this session, RippleMatch will unveil the latest data on how Gen Z approaches their job hunt and what drives their decisions. You’ll leave with the most up-to-date insights on Gen Z talent trends, along with clear, actionable steps to integrate into your recruitment strategy, helping you attract and retain this new generation of top talent.  | 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT What 1 Million Job Candidates Are Really Telling Us (Read More) Candidates have complex interactions with career sites during their application journey. In this session, you'll gain insights into the process based on 1 million candidate data points--from jobseekers' initial interest through the pre-apply, job search, and application stages. Find out what is important to jobseekers during these stages, including how satisfied they are with their ability to access required information and how easy it is to search for, find and apply for the roles they want. The findings revealed here will explain how to successfully drive candidate conversions and accelerate hiring by focusing on the underlying non-linear journeys that prospective jobseekers take when interacting with career sites and the application process. In this session, attendees will:
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12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. PT
Networking Lunch and Explore the Exhibit Areas
1:10 p.m.–1:50 p.m. PT AI Is Revolutionizing Human-Centric Recruitment: Improving Candidate Engagement and Streamlining Hiring (Read More) In this session, Adam will discuss:
- Getting to know your companies TA/candidate experience goals
- AI is evolving in the recruitment space and what it means for the future of human-centric practices.
- AI is Shaping the Candidate Experience and Redefining Hiring Practices- AI can improve recruitment outcomes, both for candidates and recruiters, while maintaining empathy and a human-centered approach.  | 1:10 p.m.–1:50 p.m. PT Engaging with Talent Leveraging X Advanced Search (Read More) Discover the power of X formerly known as Twitter's Advanced Search feature. Tailored for intermediate/advanced professionals, you will learn to move beyond traditional keyword searches. Explore crafting Boolean strings for all areas of talent. This session will equip you with skills to engage inclusively, building a robust talent network reflective of varied backgrounds and experiences.
 | 1:10 p.m.–1:50 p.m. PT Pitfalls to Avoid During Internal Employer Brand Activation (Read More) Employer Brand activation is more than just an external effort. A successful strategy must also resonate internally, building genuine advocacy among employees and aligning company culture with the brand message. In this session, Chloé Rada, a seasoned leader in Recruitment Operations and Employer Branding, shares insights from her ongoing work at ZoomInfo, where she is actively driving an Employer Brand refresh. Chloé will explore common mistakes companies make when activating their Employer Brand internally and how to avoid them to ensure long-term success. Key Takeaways:
 Chloé Rada Senior Director, Talent Acquisition |
2:00 p.m.–2:40 p.m. PT From Recognition to Fulfillment: Employee Engagement & Retention Strategies (Read More) Talent teams have always cared about retention but prioritizing employee engagement programs that can boost talent retention are increasingly more important for the success of TA. In this session, Orlando will cover three key areas:
 | 2:00 p.m.–2:40 p.m. PT Targeted Sourcing in the AI Age (Read More) While AI is not coming for all of our jobs, those TA professionals that learn how to truly leverage AI will set themselves apart in how they attract, engage, and convert passive talent into candidates. Join Aaron as he shares insights on how AI is transforming talent acquisition - from streamlining processes to uncovering hidden gems in the candidate pool. Prepare to discover how the fusion of human intuition and artificial intelligence is creating a new breed of sourcing superheroes.  | 2:00 p.m.–2:40 p.m. PT Energize Your Career: Eaton's EVP Launch Story (Read More) Hear how Eaton, a 100-year old manufacturing company, revamped their EVP from concept through activation to attract a new talent audience globally. Eaton, a 90,000-employee global power management company, refreshed and launched our EVP in March 2024. Being known as a traditional manufacturing company we needed to re-brand ourselves as an employer to attract new talents, including engineers. We refreshed our EVP to align with our corporate direction, wrote a manifesto and turned it into a video, developed a recruitment marketing campaign based off this new direction, made our employees the center of the campaign, and then launched the program globally. In this session Kristin will share:
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2:50 p.m.–3:20 p.m. PT Navigating Tomorrow: Social Sourcing Strategies for 2025 and Beyond (Read More) Traditional candidate sourcing methods are no longer enough to tackle talent attraction in 2025. Uncover how a proactive approach through social media can bridge the gap left by conventional techniques. Learn how you can reach untapped talent pools, engage active and passive candidates, and transform your sourcing strategy for the future.  | 2:50 p.m.–3:20 p.m. PT Innovating Talent Acquisition from Req to Select with AI (Read More) Even in today’s modern job market, both recruiters and candidates still face significant challenges throughout the hiring process. And a modern job market requires new approaches to old challenges. Talent intelligence and AI can help with that. Talent acquisition is well-positioned to benefit from AI, whether it be automating manual tasks — like candidate sourcing, scheduling, feedback cycles, and more — to helping recruiters focus on finding the best-fit talent for their organizations. In this session, we’ll discuss AI’s full potential to transform the recruiting process from enhancing candidate experiences to empowering recruiters. You’ll learn how:
Join us to discover how AI can revolutionize talent acquisition.
 | 2:50 p.m.–3:20 p.m. PT Transforming the Modern Day Candidate Journey: Balancing AI and Automation with Human-Centered Engagement (Read More) In today’s digital age, it's easy to get swept up in the latest trends of automation and AI. But the real magic of recruitment still lies in connecting with people on a human level. This session will push you to rethink the conventional approach and offer a fresh take on crafting a candidate experience that truly stands out. We’ll dive into how to thoughtfully incorporate AI without losing the personal touch. This talk will blend technology with behavioral insights to design a candidate journey that’s as memorable as it is effective. What You Will Learn:
Why Attend? If you're ready to shake up traditional recruitment tactics, this talk is for you. We’ll cut through the noise of AI trends and uncover the true secret to a standout candidate experience. By combining psychology, tech, and storytelling, you'll learn how to craft a recruitment strategy that not only attracts top talent but also leaves a lasting impact. Expect to walk away with fresh perspectives, actionable takeaways, and renewed inspiration to elevate your employer brand and candidate experience to new heights online. |
3:30 p.m.–4:15 p.m. PT
Afternoon Networking Break in the Exhibit Areas
4:15 p.m.–4:55 p.m. PT
Showcase Showdown (Read More)
In this fast-paced "Sponsor Showcase Showdown" speakers will have 7 minutes to showcase what each amazing exhibitor has to offer. Get ready for a showdown on the main stage!
Featured participants include:
SparcStart - Maury Hanigan, CEO -"The ROI Calculator for Recruitment Marketing"
Balance Staffing - Joel Steadman, President
APTMetrics - Tim Lee-Thorp, Marketing Director
ModernLoop - Ammon Bunker, Director of Partnerships, ModernLoop
4:55 p.m.–5:30 p.m. PT
Rethinking Recruitment: Bold Strategies to Break, Rebuild, and Future-Proof Talent Acquisition (Read More)
Traditional recruitment methods aren’t working—and maybe never did. It’s time to stop playing by the old rules and rethink everything. In this session, we’ll disrupt the status quo with bold, future-proof strategies designed to transform your talent acquisition approach. You’ll learn how to embrace diverse recruitment models, tear down outdated hiring processes, and expand Talent Acquisition’s role to drive greater impact. No matter your role in TA, this session will equip you with practical tools to solidify your role as a strategic business partner that your business can't live without.
5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. PT
Networking Fiesta in the Exhibit Areas (Read More)
Explore the Exhibit Areas all throughout the conference center. Grab a drink along the way while you enjoy live local music and make new connections at each booth!
Day 2 — General Conference
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. PT
Outdoor Yoga Class Hosted by Talivity (Read More)
Find your balance in Paradise with a morning yoga class sponsored by our Wellness Partner, Talivity. The class will be on Pine Hill, a lush, private setting nestled in the heart of the island amidst serene lagoons, tropical gardens and floating pagodas.
Space is limited! A sign up will be provided to registered attendees in advance of the class.
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. PT
Coffee + Explore the Exhibit Areas
9:20 a.m.–9:25 a.m. PT
Welcome to Day 2! Empowering Recruiters with Fastr.ai (Read More)
As our emcee Dwane Lay kicks off the morning of day 2, we have a short video message from our friends at Fastr.ai - empowering recruiters to do what they do best, faster.
9:25 a.m.–10:05 a.m. PT
Opening Keynote
The Talent Advisor - How to Move at The Speed of Business (Read More)
Take everything you know or think you know about being a “trusted advisor” of the business and throw it out the window. It is no longer about kissing up, but actually showing up – every single day. Still want to know more?
In this enlightening talk, Michael Goldberg will show you the unique relationships between the business and the recruiting function. How recruiting is the tip of the spear and lines itself to marketing and growing the organization at scale. Not only will you hear about how Michael has helped his team members become talent advisors, but he also wants to hear from you. Join us.
RECRUIT STAGE | SOURCE STAGE | BRAND STAGE |
10:15 a.m.–10:55 a.m. PT Revolutionizing Talent Engagement: A BECU Case Study (Read More) Join us for an in-depth exploration of BECU’s groundbreaking approach to talent engagement. Discover how integrating critical components into a cohesive strategy can transform prospects into top-tier candidates. Key Components:
Learning Outcomes:
This presentation will share BECU’s success story and provide actionable strategies to elevate your talent engagement process.  | 10:15 a.m.–10:55 a.m. PT Leveraging Open Sourcing Intelligence Tools (OSINT) (Read More) | 10:15 a.m.–10:55 a.m. PT Create Every Day: Transforming Hiring with Creativity and Connection (Read More) A company's hiring process is either the beacon guiding top talent to your door or the pile-up they swerve to avoid. If your candidate experience feels like waiting in line at the DMV, it’s time for a change. This highly interactive and engaging presentation dives headfirst into how creativity can transform the mundane into the memorable. From crafting job postings that don’t read like instruction manuals to delivering interviews that feel more like conversations and less like interrogations, we’ll share how Design Pickle uses humor, heart, and a little creative flair to make candidates say, “This is the kind of place I want to work.” All of this can be done while maintaining a high standard, consistent process, and incredible candidate experience.  |
11:05 a.m.–11:35 a.m. PT Quality over Quantity: How to Double Qualified Applicants from Your Career Site (Read More) Applicants from organic career site visits are 3X more likely to be hired than those from paid ads. Career site visitors are genuinely interested in your brand, but unfortunately over 95% leave without applying, and more than half take no action at all. This drop-off forces employers to overspend on job advertising to reach hiring goals. But what if you could tap further into the 95% who are not applying, and get the most interested and qualified candidates to apply? Join this session to learn how to transform your career site into a high-conversion engine, double qualified job applications, and reclaim job advertising budget for better ROI on your hardest-to-fill roles. We’ll break down why career site visitors are leaving without applying, share proven strategies to drive a 5x–10x increase in career site leads, and show real-world examples of employers who’ve reduced reliance on job boards while improving conversion to hire. What You’ll Take Away:
 | 11:05 a.m.–11:35 a.m. PT Beyond the Buzzwords: How Authenticity, Visibility, Credibility, and Connectivity Drive Recruitment Marketing Success (Read More) In a world of flashy recruitment technologies and marketing trends, how can organizations cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters to today’s candidates? Join Heather and Ruth from Recruit Rooster as they dive deep into the four key pillars that drive meaningful recruitment marketing and employer branding: authenticity, visibility, credibility, and connectivity. This session will move beyond high-level theory to offer actionable insights rooted in their extensive work with Fortune 500/1,000 companies. Heather and Ruth will explore how to authentically represent your employer brand, ensure your messaging is visible in the right channels, build credibility with candidates through transparency and trust, and foster long-lasting connections that keep your talent pipeline engaged. Through case studies, data-driven insights, and forward-thinking strategies, they’ll debunk common myths, share emerging trends, and reveal how leading companies are winning top talent by mastering these four critical elements. Whether you’re looking to refine your current recruitment marketing approach or adopt new technologies, this presentation will provide the tools and knowledge you need to build a stronger, more connected, and trustworthy employer brand.   | 11:05 a.m.–11:35 a.m. PT Brands with Brandon + James: The Blueprint for Employer Branding Success (Read More) In this session, Brandon and James will unveil the blueprint for building a compelling employer brand that attracts, engages, and retains top talent. Takeaway actionable strategies and insights to design an authentic brand that resonates with candidates and strengthens your talent acquisition efforts.   |
11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. PT
Networking Lunch and Explore the Exhibit Areas
12:55 p.m.–1:35 p.m. PT Strategies for Attracting and Hiring Early Career Talent (Read More) This panel session will explore effective strategies for elevating your employer brand and creating strong entry points for early career talent. Get tips for building a comprehensive engagement strategy that identifies and addresses the needs of early career candidates. Learn what early talent really want by asking them - Crystal and Maren will be joined by a young panelist who is early in his career!
| 12:55 p.m.–1:35 p.m. PT How to Build a Sourcing Strategy end-to-end to Find Diverse Talent (Read More) In this session, Kenzie will share tactics to find and engage underrepresented talent. She will discuss the cultural landscape using data storytelling and market intelligence, utilizing inclusive vocabulary and organizational goals. Attendees will learn how to plan and execute a strategy using primary sourcing channels, inclusive job descriptions, partnerships and events as well as bias mitigation and effective messaging and sourcing techniques. Join this session to learn how to actively seek out diverse talent pools through targeted sourcing strategies, broaden your search beyond traditional channels to reach candidates from underrepresented demographics and actively work to build sustainable connections and nurture your network to further the continuous journey that allows underrepresented talent to feel valued and welcome.  | 12:55 p.m.–1:35 p.m. PT Elevate Your Strategy in 2025 (Read More) In this case study session, attendees learn about making "Sheetz" happen - growing from a team of one to building one of the industry’s leading Recruitment Marketing and Employer Brand (RMEB) functions. Megan Claar, Recruitment Marketing & Employment Brand Manager, will offer insights into how she gained buy-in from the boardroom and demonstrated the value of a strong, metrics-based approach to modern talent attraction. You’ll learn her approach to defining success through a multi-layered strategy and integrating technology to streamline recruitment processes. Along the way, she'll share her lessons on navigating challenges like budget constraints to building a thriving team that has supported Sheetz’s growth to 775+ stores nationwide.  |
1:45 p.m.–2:25 p.m. PT Recruitment Advertising: 25 Million Worth of Lessons (Read More) Join Alistair from RedDot as he shares lessons learned from his most recent $25 million recruitment marketing spend across multiple industries. It includes everything you already know, plus three things you didn't.  | 1:45 p.m.–2:25 p.m. PT It's Sourcing Magic! Revealing the Secrets to Finding Talent (Read More) In this session you will learn some of the newest tips, tricks and tools to take your recruiting and sourcing to the next level. Tips will include Boolean use to tear apart any social site. Tricks how to get info from a site even when it's blurred. Tools that can do it all, for free or low cost. All this and more.   | 1:45 p.m.–2:25 p.m. PT Emoting Brand through Your Career Site (Read More)
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2:40 p.m.–3:10 p.m. PT Social Strategies for Creating Authentic First Impressions with Gen Z (Read More) 75% of the Class of 2024 read reviews of an employer before applying, and 73% would be more likely to apply after seeing additional behind-the-scenes content from an employer. As Gen Z reshapes the future of work and consumer behavior, employers must rethink their approach to engagement. Employer branding isn’t just about polished corporate messaging—it’s about authenticity and storytelling, key elements of the creator economy. In this session, we’ll explore strategies for creating authentic "first impressions" with early career talent that resonate in a social ecosystem where discovery is king.    | 2:40 p.m.–3:10 p.m. PT AI is an Assistant, Not an Alternative (Read More) Successful talent acquisition is a lot more than just "recruiting." And an AI-based process that consumes resumes and social media feeds isn't going to suddenly build you a properly skilled workforce.
So how can you optimize the enormous productivity gains from using AI tools while leveraging the right amount of human oversight in your TA process? During this session we will discuss this balance to help you:
And of course, your Compliance department wants to verify there is proper human oversight on any "black box" AI system to ensure that all parts of the talent acquisition process are implemented in a fair, unbiased and legally defensible manner. We'll explore some real-world scenarios.  | 2:40 p.m.–3:10 p.m. PT Bridging the Gap: Aligning Marketing and Talent Acquisition for an Authentic Social Media Strategy (Read More) In today's rapidly evolving landscape, decisions made at the highest levels often ripple through the entire organization, profoundly impacting organization culture and the employer brand. Too often, the disconnect between marketing, communications, and talent acquisition teams leads to fragmented messaging, diluted brand identity, and missed opportunities in talent attraction.
In this session, we'll explore the vital relationship between corporate marketing, communications, and talent acquisition. We'll discuss how these departments can work together to craft a cohesive, transparent social media strategy that resonates with both current employees and potential candidates.
Join Shavon Banket, Senior Director of Strategic Content at Shaker Recruitment Marketing for a conversational Q&A session with Rachel Duran, Head of Global Employer Brand and Recruitment Marketing at HPE. Shavon’s expertise will be joined with case studies and actionable insights from Rachel, where we’ll explore real-world strategies for bridging these gaps. Join us to learn how to turn cross-functional collaboration into a competitive advantage in the talent market.   |
3:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m. PT
Afternoon Networking Break: Explore the Exhibit Areas
3:45 p.m.–4:25 p.m. PT
What You Do Makes a Difference: Here’s Why and How You Can Make an Impact with Employer Branding (Read More)
In this session, Monica will explore the vital role talent acquisition plays in a company's success, exploring key insights and practical strategies surrounding best practices in attracting talent. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of employer branding. This presentation will feature actionable takeaways.
4:30 p.m.–5:20 p.m. PT
Closing Keynote Panel
Pulling it All Together: TA Week Takeaways (Read More)
In this closing session, Maren Hogan pulls together the key takeaways for two days of learning. Highlighting the most impactful stories and lessons shared by speakers throughout the course of the muiltlple events.
5:20 P.M.–5:30 p.m. PT
TA Week Giveaways
Post-Conference Workshops
Thursday, February 6, 2025
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT Workshop GLive Sourcing Training: Source Talent in Real Time (Read More) Learn advanced sourcing techniques to find the people you want, their contact information, and engagement fodder. This training is focused solely on searching for and engaging people using Booleans, multiple social media sites, online sourcing platforms and tools (i.e., LinkedIn and Facebook, association and conference sites, and even emojis). Yes, there will also be an appearance by time savers like ChatGPT and many of its relatives. No presentations, no slides, no exhaustive theory - just hands-on practice in training your brain to think like the wise sourcer that so badly wants to make their presence known. Bring your challenging roles and roadblocks...and be ready for sourcing success using new creative and engaging methods. You won't believe how many people you've been missing! | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT Workshop HHow to Successfully Implement Strategies for Filling Hard-to-Fill Roles (Read More) Have you ever had a job you consider hard to fill? The thing is, hard to fill doesn't always mean the same thing for everyone. Join fellow attendees to engage with industry veteran Carrie Corbin, as she shares the "how to" details with an expert who has navigated some of the harder to fill roles in our space (i.e. global STEM roles to niche skilled trade with some high-volume thrown in for fun!)   |
