NORA Conference & Technology Awards

The NORA Conference & Technology Awards brings together leaders from across talent acquisition, recruitment technology, and employer experience for an afternoon of insight, innovation, and celebration.

Stephen O’Donnell, Founder of the NORAs

About the NORA Conference & Technology Awards
  

The NORA Conference & Technology Awards is a new afternoon event created to bring clarity and focus to the fast‑moving world of recruitment technology. Running from 1–5pm ahead of the evening NORAs, it gives employers, vendors, and industry leaders a dedicated space to explore how technology shapes the candidate experience.

Why This Conference Exists

Recruitment technology has become crowded, complex, and often confusing (for both recruiters and candidates). Employers need clearer insight, and vendors need a platform to share meaningful innovation. This conference provides:

• practical guidance on the tech shaping modern hiring
• discussion between practitioners and providers
• a structured view of the recruitment technology ecosystem
• a direct link between technology and candidate experience

It’s a knowledge‑driven event, not a sales event.

Theme for 2026

This year focuses on three ideas:

• Trust in hiring – how technology can rebuild confidence for candidates and recruiters
• Clarity in the ecosystem – understanding what tools actually matter
• Responsible AI – practical, ethical use of AI in recruitment

These themes run through the keynote, panel, and guest sessions.

Why the Tech Awards Are in the Afternoon

The NORA Technology Awards recognise the platforms that underpin candidate experience – ATS, CRM, job distribution, sourcing tools, and more. Presenting them in the afternoon:

• celebrates innovation before celebrating candidate experience
• connects technology providers with employers
• sets the stage for the evening NORAs
• creates a full narrative from tech → people → excellence

It’s the logical bridge between the industry’s tools and the industry’s outcomes.

Introducing StackMarket 

The conference concludes with the launch of StackMarket, a new structured platform mapping the global recruitment technology ecosystem. StackMarket helps employers understand:

• what each platform does
• how solutions fit together
• where innovation is happening

Launching it here gives the industry clarity at the exact moment it needs it.

Who It’s For

• Employers and TA leaders
• Recruitment agencies
• HR and people teams
• Technology vendors
• Analysts and industry commentators

Anyone responsible for hiring, technology, or candidate experience will benefit.

What Attendees Gain

• Insight from industry leaders
• Clarity on the recruitment tech landscape
• Practical guidance on AI and automation
• Recognition of the best platforms in the market
• Networking with employers, vendors, and finalists
• A first look at StackMarket