5 questions for the founder of the EMBRACE festival

“Embrace TECH, DATA & PURPOSE to recruit and retain”: This is the motto under which the EMBRACE Festival 2024 will take place on June 5th and 6th at the TEC Event Campus in Berlin. As a media partner, we asked EMBRACE CEO Gero Hesse a few questions in advance.

The largest HR event around Tech, Data & Purpose is entering the next round – under a new name. Because the #RC Festival (Recruiting Community) becomes the EMBRACE Festival. The reason: In order to be able to solve the challenges for People & Culture Teams against the background of demographics, digitalization and changing values, EMBRACE wants to think more broadly.

Attracting employees should play just as important a role as retaining and retaining them. EMBRACE CEO Gero Hesse said: “And this all happens against the background of rapid technological development in the HR sector. That's why we're becoming the EMBRACE Festival. That means: EMBRACE Recruiting! EMBRACE Retention! EMBRACE HR Tech!”.

Gero Hesse: 5 questions for the founder of the EMBRACE Festival

BASIC thinking: What was the main reason for starting the Embrace Festival?

I just wanted to create a business festival that I would like to go to myself. In 2018 there wasn't much of a selection. When we started, everything was turned inside out: the event didn't take place in the hotel, but in an old screw hall. And instead of being required to dress for confirmation, everyone could come as they felt comfortable.

No hierarchy thinking, but communication at eye level. And a program that brings cases from start-ups, medium-sized companies and the corporate world. At the time, this was revolutionary in the HR scene and we were awarded “Innovation of the Year” at the HR Excellence Awards.

Of course, there are many such events today. But in my opinion none with such an awesome community. This is what the EMBRACE Festival is all about: learning, networking and celebrating together.

What is the most pressing question for you regarding the future of the job market?

How do companies ensure employee recruitment and retention? In view of demographics, digitalization and changing social values, this will continue to be the central task for employers in the coming years. Our motto for this year is “Embrace Tech, Data & Purpose to recruit and retain”. The use of technology, data-based work and meaningfulness at the individual level is essential for attracting and retaining employees.

“It’s the community that makes it”

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Embrace Festival?

To everyone who is there. Honestly, it's the community that makes it. Of course there are also content-related points that I am very excited about. For example, I'm really looking forward to the keynote speech by Janina Kugel, former Siemens CHRO and current partner at the Boston Consulting Group.

Or the extreme mountaineer Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, who tells us how technology, data and meaning play a role in her profession. But the icing on the cake will be the many practical cases, including from Bosch, Deutsche Bahn, Thyssenkrupp or lesser-known companies such as Contabo, Wipro and many others.

A highlight will certainly be the presentation of the QUEB (Federal Association for Employer Branding and Recruiting) HR Innovation Awards.

Ideally, what remains after the event?

More state-of-the-art knowledge, more business contacts and a great memory of a great party!

What happens after the festival; and: What further plans are you pursuing with a view to the future?

As always, after the festival is before the festival. But we have a lot planned at EMBRACE beyond that. There will soon be news about a big H-Award event and the EMBRACE community website is now available with lots of videos, podcasts, white papers and more about recruiting, retention and HR tech.

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