#TruLondon: The Return. 25'th August. What is in store ....

I have been spending the last few months trying to understand how people feel about getting back together in person, and what events should look like when this happens. We have all been on a bit of a hiatus over the last couple of years, which has given a good period of reflection for understanding what we miss from events, and what we can do without. Pre-Covid I think we were reaching event overload with quite a lot of sameness. Line ups and formats that looked very similar, with some notable exceptions.

What I take away from this period is that the learning elements are often better on line. The sessions can be watched again in order to digest the important points to take away, and there are much less distractions. Whilst there will be less on-line Zoom, Hoppin type events when we have the option to get in the room, many will remain in this format. The costs are greatly reduced, and those organisations who really worked on the quality of production have really stood out. In response to the only speaking opportunities being available on line has seen some speakers from "the circuit" invest in their tech and tailor their delivery for these events. I have to put my hand up and say I'm not one of them. I need the energy only an audience can bring.

The biggest thing I have missed is just being with people, and talking. Having an excuse to gather in the same place and share a few thoughts, a few drinks and opinions. It is the people I missed more than anything. I'm glad we have the opportunity to get together again at #trulondon next week. Having had the time to think about what we want from an event, and talk to quite a few people on the topic, we have moved to a balance of recruiting discussions, case studies to share real life experience now, and hands on creativity. After spending the last 20 months working with the homeless, and insecurely housed, we have moved #trulondon to a social enterprise, (currently applying for registration.) This means all the profits will go to the #trufeeds fund, which is funding things like emergency supplies, sovereignty beds, meals, furniture, phones and other needed expenditure. Tickets are by donation. Pay what you can.

#trulondon will run 10 till 10 at Electrowerkz, close to Angel. which is perfect for hosting the tracks, and staging live, interactive happenings throughout the day. There will always be something different to do, wether you want to talk about the latest developments in tech, see a few products, understand the impact of covid on hiring, dive deep in to how Defra and other organisations use data to hire, get the latest thinking in E.D. & I, or hear how AK47 kidnapped a Banksy statue in broad daylight, (as documented in the Banksy job), or learn about taking risks and putting everything on the line with the real story behind hit movie and show Kinky Boots, the Boss in Boots Steve Pateman. Radical Recruit bringing some humanity to hiring and sharing how you can get involved. Theres also stand up (from first time comics from recruiting), and a drinks at the after party, street art tours of the local area, live street art, breakfast, lunch and evening snacks all included.

I am grateful to Harvey Nash, who are supporting the event as lead sponsor. Having a lead sponsor and partner investing in the event really opens up the possibilities of what we can offer to the community. Harvey Nash will be sharing their research and expertise with a stream of 8 tracks focussed on Tech hiring: does traditional hiring clouds the ability to hire talent fairly, and will include tracks on bias, automation and future skills, drawing on their latest research from The Hot skills and Salary Report (https://www.harveynash.com/hot-skills-salary-report-2021) and The Group Technology & Talent Study (https://www.harveynashgroup.com/techandtalentstudy).

Thanks also to Hackajob and Meet&Engage for further support. It is this sponsorship that enables us to make the ticket price donation. We never want the cost of admission to be a bar to entry at any #tru event, anywhere in the world.

Theres a few tickets left if you want to grab one, get one HERE

See you there,

Bill