So, I’m just back from HR Tech, and thought I’d comment a little on the buzz and the experience, at least relative to last year. This is the first time we set up camp with a booth and a sign, although we did it pretty low key. Not a two-story building with multi-media, in fact, not even a building - just a simple table with a few computers and a few free tchotchkes to give away. But that was fine, and we had a nice chance to talk with people about what’s going on in the industry. The mood was not as bleak as last year, and it sure felt like there was a lot more energy, more smiles, and more people in general (I haven’t checked the enrollment stats though). It doesn’t seem like hiring has re-started, but it felt like people are starting to plan for it.
We had a small contingent from Recruiting.com and had a chance to meet with a lot of people. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of activity, so I want to say thanks to all of you that stopped by to visit us. History will record that we officially launched our new product last week (even though it came out of beta August 28) and spent time trying to get the word out. We didn’t have fireworks or marching bands or Segway transporters roaming around the hall, so I guess you’d call it a low key launch, but enough people saw it or did a demo to give us a collective reaction. Again, we were really pleased with the positive feedback from my point of view.
I also had a chance to meet with some of the experts that write on our industry, and get some of your views first hand. Those were my first in-person meetings with most of you, which I appreciated. It was nice to associate a face with a blog, column or whatever. Special thanks to you guys who came by our suite party – your group perspective was really helpful and I thought those conversations were great. Plus we got to enjoy some of Washington State’s finer wines while we talked. We’ll bring more next year, and we’ll be on the lookout for special vintages to ship.