Epic Events Podcast with
Mike Frost

Behind the Scenes of Event Recruitment: How to Secure Top Talent

  • Mike Frost

    Mike Frost is the founder of ExpoCast, specializing in event leadership recruitment. With over a decade of experience, he partners with top organizations to help them find the right talent in the ever-evolving events industry. Mike is also an active partner with the Association of Event Organizers and Event Tech Live.

About the Episode

Hiring is hard. Hiring for events? That’s a whole different game.

In this episode of the Epic Events Podcast, Muhammad Younas sits down with Mike Frost to decode what it really takes to hire right in the fast-paced world of events.

From spotting salespeople who actually deliver results to knowing what makes a true leader, they dig into the tough questions every event organizer faces. You’ll hear real, actionable strategies on how to identify top performers, streamline your recruitment process, and leverage AI to make hiring smarter and faster.

If you’ve ever felt the sting of a bad hire or the drag of a slow recruitment cycle, this episode’s your playbook to fix it.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Sales talent is the hardest to find. Focus on hiring hunters who can confidently build new business, not just manage accounts.
  • Grad programs work best for large teams. Smaller businesses often need experienced hires who can deliver impact right away.
  • Be transparent about salary and growth. Competitive pay and a clear path forward attract stronger candidates.
  • Treat senior-level hiring like a strategy, not a rush. Map the market, align your decision-makers, and build a strong shortlist.
  • Use AI to save time, not replace people. Automate admin tasks, but keep the human touch for candidate interactions.
  • Recruiters should understand the industry. Niche knowledge helps spot red flags and identify real talent faster.
  • Onboarding matters more than experience. A structured ramp-up plan can turn outsiders into high performers.
  • Fresh grads can stand out through networking. Reaching out directly and showing initiative goes a long way in events.
  • Look for empathy and communication, not just confidence. The best candidates connect and adapt naturally to others.