Top 10 things to do at RecFest USA 2025 in Nashville

So you’re heading to RecFest USA 2025? Smart move. Whether you’re a job board founder, TA leader, recruitment marketer, or someone who just really loves a good time under a giant tent, this list will help you make the most of your experience in Music City.

1. Snap a Selfie Under the Big Top

There’s no mistaking the festival vibe. RecFest doesn’t do dull convention centers. It’s all outdoor, open-air, and fully immersive. Grab a photo by the welcome arch, the Nashville skyline, or while laughing with new friends in the beer garden.

2. Attend a Live Podcast Taping

Some of the industry’s best podcasters will be recording episodes live on-site. Whether it’s banter from TAtech veterans or sharp insights from emerging voices, expect hot takes, cold drinks, and maybe even your moment in the spotlight if you ask a killer question. College Recruiter’s Jeanette Leeds and Steven Rothberg will be recording episodes of their High Volume Hiring Podcast from the grounds of Recfest, so hit them up at podcast@collegerecruiter.com if you want to be a guest!

3. Get Inspired on the Inspire Stage

The keynote speakers this year? Game-changers. Past speakers have included employer brand icons, programmatic pioneers, and even Olympic athletes talking performance and mindset. You’ll walk away with at least three ideas worth pitching to your CEO.

4. Debate Like a Pro in the Disrupt Stage

The Disrupt Stage promises to be part panel, part battle royale. No PowerPoint. No fluff. Just real-time arguments and counterpoints on topics like: “Is AI ruining recruitment?” or “Should job boards prioritize job seekers or employers?” Grab popcorn.

5. Mingle

College Recruiter, of course, will be there—alongside a sea of other tech platforms, job boards, automation tools, CRMs, and data solutions. It’s like a candy store for anyone building or scaling hiring systems.

6. Unwind in Shaker Recruitment Marketing’s Green Room

Brought to you by some of the smartest, wisest recruitment marketing leaders this industry has ever seen. The Shaker Green Room is being billed as, “the ultimate experiential lounge at RecFest USA. We’ve reimagined what it means to meet, mingle, and recharge. Whether you’re prepping for your moment on stage, collaborating with peers, or just taking a much-needed break, this inclusive space embodies the Shaker promise: we create experiences that empower you to shine.”

7. Get Your Hands Dirty at a Workshop

Not just another panel. These are interactive, tactical sessions where you’ll do the thing, not just hear about it. Whether it’s writing more inclusive job ads or building a better CPC campaign, you’ll leave smarter than you came in.

8. Crack a Beer with Your Frenemies

Networking at RecFest hits different. It’s relaxed. It’s real. And it’s built for collaboration—not business card collecting. So say hey to the competition. You might just end up building your next partnership or acquiring their company next year.

9. Hit the “Perfect BFF Afterparty” at Redneck Riviera

On Wednesday night (October 15th), make your way to Broadway’s rowdiest rooftop: Redneck Riviera Bar & BBQ. The “Perfect BFF Afterparty” is co-hosted by PerfectHire and Kyle & Co., and it’s the unofficial-official afterparty where karaoke meets candidate matching. Expect line dancing, recruiting trivia, and a few VC-backed hangovers Thursday morning.

10. Bring Home the Merch

Forget stress balls and USB fans. The RecFest swag game is strong. Think concert tees, water bottles with your company logo laser-etched, floral arrangements, and cowboy hats perfect for that Nashville fall vibe. Don’t leave without grabbing a souvenir.

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Pro tip: Wear comfy shoes, pace yourself with the BBQ, and say yes to every conversation. RecFest USA 2025 is more than a conference—it’s a recruitment carnival, career catalyst, and, frankly, the best excuse to hang out with your hiring friends all year.

Want in?
👉 Book Your Tickets Now

And don’t forget to RSVP for that Redneck Riviera afterparty. It might just be where your next big idea is born—over a shot of Tennessee whiskey.