When an industry is big enough, large events or Expos start to pop up. It’s most common in tech; venues packed with companies all showing off their latest innovations.

There are also a number of events for recruiters too, creating a great opportunity to network, get inspired, or just learn more about the goings-on of recruitment

Last week we attended one of the biggest; the Recruitment Expo at the Birmingham NEC, so thought it would be good to share what we learned, and explain why attending these is valuable for both us and the temporary recruitment agencies we work with.

 

What is a Recruitment Expo?

A recruitment expo is a gathering of all the top recruiters in the UK, as well as companies that support these agencies (like us!) and plenty of people who just want to learn more.

The events themselves usually follow the same format. You’ll see exhibition stands where agencies and support companies demonstrate their latest software, or pitch to potential clients/customers. There are also talks from leaders in the industry, sharing valuable insights into their sector. In our opinion, these are the most important parts of the event, as there is always something new to learn.

The recruitment companies you’ll find at these events are always a mix of well-established companies, as well as those still trying to get their foot in the door. Whether they have a new piece of software to demonstrate, or are putting out some feelers before a potential change in operation, the value these events provide can’t be understated.

Although this event covers all aspects of recruitment, you’ll find plenty of temporary recruitment agencies, and companies that support them specifically. The temporary sector has been booming for a few years now, so it’s the best time to get involved if you aren’t already.

 

The Importance of Recruitment Expos

Recruitment is an ever-changing industry, so these events are a great way to not only show off what you’ve been up to, but also learn what your competitors’ approaches are too. As friendly as the competition may be, you’re still surrounded by rivals, and are all fighting for the attention of other visitors.

But what you get out of an event like this all depends on the approach you take. Go in with only competition in mind and you miss out on valuable customer feedback, only go for the talks and you won’t have enough time to pitch your services, and if you fully focus on sales your agency could fall behind the latest trends.

It’s a tricky balance, but after decades of attending these events, we can point you in the right direction. It all depends on the type of temporary recruitment agency you operate.

 

The Benefits of Recruitment Expos for Start Ups

If you’re relatively new to the industry, having just set up shop or are only a couple of years in, you should never skip an Expo.

Even if you have some experience in recruiting, you should soak up all information you can, because it will help you build a more successful agency. You’ll also meet agency representatives in a similar position, and you can exchange notes and support each other, maybe even collaborating directly in the future.

This is especially important for solo recruiters. When the entire weight of your business rests on your shoulders, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and isolated. If you can take the time out of your busy schedule to attend an event like the Recruitment Expo, it’s more than worth it. You’ll see that you’re not alone, and will find dozens of agencies to network with and learn form. You’ll also encounter plenty of companies like ours, offering services that can handle some of the admin or database headaches you’re struggling with. You might even run into us; come say hi!

 

The Benefits of Recruitment Expos for Well-Established Agencies

When you’ve been working in temporary recruitment for a long time, it can be easy to get a little stuck in your ways or your approach might not be as modern as clients and temp workers expect.

We see this with a lot of companies who don’t offer the same benefits as their competitors, and therefore see a decline in the temporary workers willing to submit their CVs. You might also be using outdated CRMs or other software that is making your job more difficult.

Whatever the case may be, attending a recruitment Expo can help you ensure that your agency is heading in the right direction, and won’t be outpaced by competitors who keep their eye on the ball. You’ll also find out about the latest systems and software so you can modernise your business and stay at the top.

During our time at the Recruitment Expo, there was one thing being discussed above all else: AI.

 

AI and Temporary Recruitment

We’ve talked a lot about AI in the past; mostly how it can benefit a recruitment agency by streamlining certain processes to take away some of the hassle.

At this year’s Recruitment Expo, AI was still the biggest talking point, as it is in most industries. We predicted in our blogs that AI would continue to improve, ironing out the issues we highlighted at the time. Naturally a pitch from an AI provider focuses on the positives, but from what we saw their products are a lot more reliable now.

However, although AI has its uses, our human-focused approach is something it will never be able to replicate.

 

Why we Attend Recruitment Expos

We only attend these events as visitors nowadays, choosing to focus on networking rather than a hard sell. Naturally we’re always on the look out for new temporary recruitment agencies to work with, but chatting with our peers and learning about the industry changes is just as valuable.

The support we provide is about more than just a list of services. Sure our clients have access to recruitment funding, invoicing, payroll, and credit control, but that’s only what we do on the surface level.

We pride ourselves on being up to date with everything to do with recruitment, not just the temporary world. If new legislation is on the horizon, or there’s an upcoming shift in the industry, we want to know about it early so we can let our clients know and adapt accordingly. By listening to talks, pitches, and having a good old natter with our peers, we stay on top of what’s going on, which directly improves the service we provide.

If you own a temporary recruitment agency, make sure you get involved with as many Expos as possible. We hope to see you at the next one!