Walking into the exhibit hall at TravCon can feel a little like speed dating for your career, but in the best way possible! You’re surrounded by agencies, recruiters, swag, giveaways, and opportunities. But beyond the tote bags and tees, this is your chance to ask the right questions and find the recruiter (and agency) that truly aligns with your goals. Because let’s be honest, the right recruiter can make or break your travel experience.
We’ve created a go-to guide for smart, strategic questions to ask in the exhibit hall so you can confidently walk away with real connections (and maybe even your next dream assignment).
1: What Does Support Look Like From Day One to Day 90?
A great assignment experience starts long before your first shift and continues well after you’ve settled in. When you ask about support, you’re really asking how invested the agency is in your success beyond submitting your profile.
You’ll want to understand who handles your compliance and credentialing, whether you’ll have a dedicated recruiter or a team model, and how communication works once you’re on assignment. Do they proactively check in, or only respond when there’s a problem? If a schedule changes, housing falls through, or you encounter an issue at the facility, how quickly do they step in?
The goal here is clarity. Strong agencies will confidently explain their process and set clear expectations. If the answer feels vague or overly simplified, that can signal a lack of structure behind the scenes.
2: How Do You Match Travelers to Assignments?
When it comes to finding a recruiter and agency, you want someone who understands more than just your license and availability. The best recruiters take time to learn your lifestyle preferences, your clinical strengths, and your long-term goals. They’re not just filling a job, they’re helping you build a career.
A relationship-focused recruiter will ask thoughtful questions about what matters to you: Are you chasing higher pay right now? Looking to enhance your skills? Wanting to explore specific regions? Prioritizing work-life balance? They’ll also be honest about what’s realistic and help you map out a strategy to get there.
Transactional recruiters focus only on what’s open today. Relationship-driven recruiters think about where you want to be next year, and how this contract fits into that bigger picture. When you find someone who acts as your advocate and career cheerleader, your travel experience becomes more stable, strategic, and rewarding.
3: What Are Your Pay Packages Based On?
Compensation is one of the most important parts of your travel career, and transparency matters. Asking how pay packages are structured helps you understand how knowledgeable and open the agency is about the financial side of things.
Have them walk you through the breakdown of taxable hourly pay, stipends, bonuses, and any additional incentives. Ask what factors influence rate changes and how often pay packages fluctuate. If rates are negotiable, what determines their flexibility?
A trustworthy recruiter won’t hesitate to explain the details and ensure you understand exactly how your compensation works. The more clearly they communicate about pay, the more confident you can feel about partnering with them long term.
4: What Happens If a Contract Gets Cancelled?
No one likes to think about cancellations, but seasoned travelers know they happen. Asking this question shows that you’re thinking ahead, and it gives you insight into how the agency supports travelers during unexpected changes.
Find out whether they offer any type of cancellation protection, how quickly they secure new placements, and whether they provide assistance with housing or travel adjustments if a contract ends early. You can also ask about guaranteed hours and how they handle facility-driven schedule cuts.
An agency that has clear policies and solutions in place demonstrates preparedness and experience. It shows they’re not just there for smooth assignments; they’re ready to stand beside you when things get complicated.
5: What Markets and Specialties Do You Staff Most?
Not all agencies are equally strong in every region or specialty. Understanding where they have the most established relationships can help you determine whether they’re positioned to help you land your dream assignment.
Ask about their strongest hospital partnerships, whether they hold exclusive contracts, and how competitive their placements typically are. If you’re targeting a specific state, unit, or facility type, see how often they staff in that area.
An agency with deep roots in your preferred market will likely have better communication with facilities, more insight into unit culture, and potentially quicker placements. That kind of expertise can make a meaningful difference in your experience.
6: Can I Speak to Other Travelers You’ve Worked With?
Longevity and reputation say a lot. Agencies and recruiters who build strong relationships often have travelers who return for multiple contracts or refer colleagues and friends.
Ask about testimonials, referral rates, and how long their average traveler partnership lasts. Some recruiters may even be willing to connect you with a current traveler who can speak honestly about their experience.
Hearing directly from other healthcare professionals gives you real-word perspective and helps you gauge whether the recruiter consistently delivers on their promises.
PS: You can also connect with fellow agency travelers via TGN’S Travel Nurse Network Group on Facebook! This group provides useful insight on agencies, facilities, being a part of the travel community, and more.
7: How Do You Advocate for Your Travelers?
Advocacy is one of the most valuable traits in a recruiter. When you’re working hundreds or thousands of miles from home, you need someone who will confidently represent you if challenges arise.
Ask how they handle pay discrepancies, floating outside of your scope, or conflicts at the facility. How do they communicate with hospital managers? How quickly do they escalate concerns?
A recruiter who clearly explains how they advocate and provides examples demonstrates confidence and experience. You want someone who won’t disappear once you start your assignment but instead continues to actively support you throughout the contract.
8: What Makes You Different From Other Agencies Here?
In a busy exhibit hall at TravCon, many agencies can start to sound similar. This question invites recruiters to go deeper than generic talking points.
Listen carefully to how they describe their culture, values, communication style, and approach to partnerships. Do their answers feel authentic and specific? Or do they rely on broad, overused phrases?
The right recruiter will stand out not because they promise the highest pay in the room, but because their approach aligns with what you value most in your career.
Bring It All Together
The exhibit hall at TravCon isn’t just a place to gather business cards and swag; it’s where you build the foundation for your next chapter. By asking thoughtful, strategic questions, you shift from passively listening to actively choosing the partner who fits you best.
The perfect recruiter isn’t just someone who lands you a contract quickly. It’s someone who communicates clearly, advocates confidently, understands your goals, and treats your career like a long-term partnership.
When you approach conversations with intention, you won’t just leave with options, you’ll leave with direction. And that’s how you move one step closer to your dream assignment.
If you’re serious about leveling up your travel career, building meaningful relationships, and positioning yourself for your dream assignment, this is your sign. Grab your TravCon ticket today! Step into the exhibit hall with confidence and start the conversations that could shape your next chapter.