A Message From Paul Hawkinson

February 22, 2007

Dear Colleagues:

In my three decades with The Fordyce Letter, I have had the opportunity to get to know thousands of recruiting, search, and placement professionals. I've met many of you personally and have always welcomed your calls, letters, and emails to chat about your problems, your victories, and even your occasional setbacks. I still do.

I can't tell you how many of you have wondered why we never held a conference. My answer has always been that there are too many conferences elsewhere. I didn't want ours to be just another echo chamber of what's out there already.

If I ever held a conference for our industry, it would have to be different — not just another gathering of rookies or wannabes rehashing the "basics." After all, if I were out to improve my golf game, I'd rather learn from Tiger Woods than the assistant pro at the local club. You deserve the same consideration.

So that's what I finally did: I assembled the "Tigers" of our business for the first-ever Fordyce Forum. It's an exclusive gathering of established and recognized high performers and big billers. Every one of our presenters is a proven superstar; many regularly bill over $1 million a year. These are cutting-edge thought leaders and "difference makers," who will teach you the tactics, techniques, strategies, and secrets that have moved them to the very tip of the performance pyramid.

If you're serious about improving your career — and want to attend a conference that's just as serious as you are — New Orleans is the place to be this June 12 to 14. I'll be there, along with the top producers in our business. You'll be networking with the best of the best. As a wise sage once said, "If you want to run with the big dogs, you have to get off the porch."

I hope to see you and your staffers in New Orleans.

My best,

Paul Hawkinson
Editor & Forum Chairman