ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit unveils first speakers

ERE Media has announced the first wave of speakers for its Recruiting Innovation Summit, set for Nov. 9-11, 2026, in San Diego. The lineup is anchored by Kyle Lagunas’ opening AI keynote and a new executive forum aimed at senior talent acquisition leaders.

Why it matters: - The summit is targeting senior talent acquisition leaders who want practical guidance on AI, recruiting operations, and workforce change. - The first speaker wave signals a stronger focus on evidence-based AI use, not product demos or theory. - The new executive forum gives top TA leaders a smaller setting for peer-level discussion on adoption and transformation.

What happened: - ERE Media announced the first wave of speakers for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on July 22, 2026. - The conference will run Nov. 9-11, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine in San Diego. - Kyle Lagunas will deliver the opening keynote, “Motion Isn’t Momentum: Where AI Is Taking Talent Acquisition.” - ERE will also host the RIS Executive Forum on Monday, Nov. 9, as a limited-capacity program hosted by Kyle Lagunas.

The details: - Lagunas’ keynote is based on survey data from more than 350 senior HR and talent leaders, a head-to-head benchmark of 12 AI interviewers, and practitioner-focused analysis. - The keynote will examine where AI delivers measurable value today, where vendors are overpromising, and how recruiting teams are redesigning work around AI. - The Executive Forum is designed for senior talent acquisition executives and will focus on AI adoption, organizational transformation, recruiting operations, leadership, and TA’s role in modern enterprises. - ERE says the Executive Forum will emphasize candid peer discussion, shared challenges, and actionable insights rather than a traditional conference-track format. - The first confirmed speakers come from Pinterest, CVS Health, Ford Motor Company, Starbucks, Wells Fargo, Expedia Group, Roblox, CareerXroads, Comfort Systems USA, and Radiology Partners. - ERE said additional speakers and sessions will be announced in the coming weeks. - Attendees can expect sessions on veteran hiring, talent sourcing, candidate fraud, data and metrics, employer branding, healthcare recruiting, change management, recruiting operations, high-volume recruiting, AI strategy and adoption, innovation, and earning trust inside the business. - The conference will also include networking and community time so attendees can continue conversations with speakers across the event. - ERE says past attendees have described the summit as one of the industry’s most valuable learning experiences. - Registration is now open, and ERE is encouraging early sign-ups because the Executive Forum has limited capacity. - More information is available at ERERecruitingConference.com. - Social links included in the release point to the company's LinkedIn page and YouTube channel.

Between the lines: - The programming reflects a shift in recruiting conferences toward measurable AI outcomes and practical operator experience. - By centering senior leaders and peer conversation, ERE is positioning the summit as a decision-making forum, not just a learning event. - The mix of enterprise brands and niche recruiting voices suggests a broad attempt to cover both strategy and day-to-day execution.

What's next: - ERE will release more speakers and session details in the coming weeks. - Registration will continue ahead of the November event, with early interest likely important for the capped executive forum. - The full agenda and conference updates will remain available on ERERecruitingConference.com.