Danny James’ Post

A tad late… PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2025 — what a week. 🎰 After Chicago last year, I was keen to see how Vegas stacked up. And honestly? Vegas took the win for me. It wasn’t quite as hectic, which meant I could actually spend quality time with clients without feeling like I was pulling them away from their booths. Plus, this year just felt different. Walking the floor, bumping into familiar faces, catching up properly… that’s when you realise how connected this industry really is. I caught up with clients I’ve placed candidates with, hearing how they’ve settled in, what’s ahead for Q4, and their plans for 2026. It’s an incredible feeling seeing people you’ve helped actually thriving. Had dinners, drinks, and real conversations that remind me why I love this industry. Passionate, down-to-earth people who genuinely care about what they do. Apparently, I’m taller and younger in person... I’ll take that one. 😄 And I made sure to take a day out for the full American experience 🇺🇸 — Breakfast at Denny’s followed by an afternoon shooting guns. But one theme kept coming up again and again: succession planning. So many companies have brilliant people, but many of them are nearing retirement. Everyone knows it’s coming… few have a plan. In five years, a lot of knowledge and experience will walk out the door. Are we training and mentoring the next generation now — or just hoping they’ll be ready when the time comes? This isn’t a future problem. It’s a today problem. As an industry, we can’t just automate our way out of it. We need people — skilled, motivated and curious people. That starts with giving them a reason to join. On a personal note, I won’t be at PACK EXPO Chicago 2026 (it lands on my wedding week and Erin D. would definitely kill me 💍). But I’ll be back in 2027, with more connections, more stories, and hopefully a few more people who’ve joined this great industry. To everyone I met in Vegas... thank you! 🙌