It’s been exactly 2 years since the first #truLondon, which took place in Canary Wharfe on the 18′th November 2009.70 people attended the first time, mostly dressed in suits, (me included), crammed in to the top floor of Barclay’s tower. It was only supposed to be one event, and this blog was only supposed to run for three months to promote the event.
On that day, some of those there realised the real difference between attending a conference and an unconference. The biggest realisation came for the Track Leaders, who for the first time got to actually speak to the attendees, rather than being stuck behind a lectern and in front of a Powerpoint presentation. The attendees got in their stride, and enjoyed the chance to discuss their own views, ask questions and set the agenda for themselves. We also had two global visitors, Geoff Webb, who was integral in the launch of #tru, and Jill Ellswick, who at the time was considering a career in recruiting.
I’ve always had a vision that I wanted #tru to be global. In 2009 most people were still trying to work out how to make the social networks work for them. In recruiting terms, the talk was very much about how Twitter might be used for hiring, and LinkedIn was very much the recruiting channel. There was no talk of Facebook, after all, this was very much seen as a personal channel, and whilst employer brand was mentioned, it didn’t really feature outside of the digital agencies. Blogging was also on the agenda for the first time, with a track lead by Andy Headworth. Looking back, there were quite a few blogs that sprung out of that track, something that has continued to be a feature of #tru.
The second #truLondon in Feb 2010 was much more of an international affair. I think that we were all a bit surprised to see that the hashtag had taken a life of its own after the first event, with people continuing to post long after.Since first signing up for a twitter account in March 2009, I had always looked to connect with a mix of disciplines around the people space, as well as people from outside of the U.K. I’m a big believer that we all share the same issues, even if we are recruiters, vendors, work in H.R, for job boards or in digital marketing. We also share many of the same problems whether we are based in the U.S, U.K, China, Canada, really anywhere. Social media provided the channels to connect good people, and I wanted to carry this approach from the on-line through to the off-line via the events.
Two years on, we are just about to host the 21′st event (the 19′th and 20′th were in Johannesburg and Cape Town), teaming up again with Rob Van Elburg and his unique #Recruitment Industry Dance Event #RIDE, which will be attended by over 15oo recruiters. On the 2′nd December we will be hosting our first event in Australia, partnering with the Australasian Talent Conference Social Media event. I’m excited about this venture because we will be running #tru immediately after the conference. Trevor Vass and Kevin Wheeler have managed to put together a fantastic line up including Richard Cho from FaceBook, Carrie Corbin from A.T. & T, Lance Brolin from Sears, as well as Paul Jacobs and some of the best names in talent attraction from the region. The #tru event gives attendees the opportunity to see the speakers in a conference format, then ask the questions and discuss the issues in person. It’s an idea I’m looking to repeat when the opportunity arises. #Tru will be a continuing evolution, both in terms of content and format.
Looking back, I’m proud of what has been achieved over the last 2 years. Having hosted events in 3 continents this year, we are achieving the vision of being genuinely global, with events already planned for India, Singapore, Finland, Hungary and Orange County, USA as new destinations for the first half of next year. The best thing about #tru has been seeing others connect, there’s been business deals done, friendships made, products developed, projects launched, graduates mentored in to jobs and more.
Thanks everyone who has been a part of the last 2 years, it’s been a great experience. I’d be glad to hear your experiences, and hope to meet many of you over the coming year.
Bill
#TRUDUBLIN & THE #TRUCHRISTMAS PARTY
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Well done on the two year mark, Bill. That’s certainly some achievement, and that it’s now a global affair shows that there is a continuing appetite for events like this. Good luck for upcoming events and continued success.
Well done Bill!
But be aware and prepared for the year 3. Why? Simply because your #tru events are marketed (almost) exclusively via the social media. And social media on all platforms has one thing in common. It has exponential growth (until market saturation). If you look at the growth of any social media site, or even a blog network. You put the constant marketing effort in it (as an owner) and your members take it further. More members – faster growth. And it accelerates until the peak is reached – and in your case you have ‘touched’ all the recruiters and interested parties who are present on the social media. My gut feeling is that #tru is still far from that. Yes there are people from all continents participating, but there are a lot more even in Europe where it started that didn’t join jet. Then again they WOULD if they knew more about it!
So hence the last #tru this year is #truDublin I think I better write a decent blog post to my fellow Irish Recruiters!
Well done again Bill, and remember that #tru is getting onwards, but as time goes even more UPWARDS!
Bill,
I think I speak for a lot of people when I say well done for putting your money where your mouth is and creating not just an event but a linked series of ever improving events on a global scale.
You have adopted the mantra of social media with a transparent open and inclusive approach but made ‘real’ with direct interaction.
Let me know when you are in a city near me next (near means uk) as I would LOVE to lead a track with you.
Well done!
M
Well done Bill. From a personal perspective I have learned a lot both from you, the events and the people (who make the events). I have enjoyed the space to do fun and creative things, connected with lots of very sharp people and have become a huge fan of the unconference format. Enabling participation, connections and learning is what all un/conferences should be about. Keep up the good work
Congratulations on the success of #tru events Bill! It’s great to see your vision being implemented across the globe!