At Picnic, we’re revolutionizing grocery shopping with our innovative, tech-driven approach. As Europe’s fastest-growing online supermarket, we rely on cutting-edge technology—including React, Angular, Typescript, and scalable backend systems in Java and Python—to deliver a seamless customer experience. Our tech team is at the heart of this mission, solving complex logistical challenges with smart engineering.

Since 2019, Picnic has been a proud host of React Amsterdam meetups and, since last year, we stepped up and also became sponsors of React Summit Amsterdam, the largest React conference in Europe, all organized by GitNation. These events bring together top-tier developers, industry leaders, and React enthusiasts, providing an ideal platform for knowledge sharing and networking. Being able to share our knowledge with the React community, as well as getting to learn from all the talented developers attending, has been a great experience for all involved.

Our collaboration with GitNation has allowed us to engage with the React community in meaningful ways - whether through hosting tech talks, participating in panel discussions, or simply connecting with developers who share our passion for innovation - and we are looking forward to more to come in 2025!

How Sponsoring GitNation Events Helped Us Hire Top Talent & Boost Employer Branding

Sponsoring React Summit and React Amsterdam meetups has been a game-changer for Picnic’s hiring strategy. Here’s how:

• Direct Access to Top Tech Talent – By being present at these events, we’ve met skilled developers actively looking for new opportunities. Many of our hires came from conversations sparked at these conferences.
• Strengthening Employer Brand Awareness – Sponsorship positions Picnic as a key player in the React ecosystem. Developers recognize us as a company that invests in the community, making them more likely to consider working with us.
• Showcasing Our Tech Culture – Through talks and interactive sessions, we’ve highlighted Picnic’s engineering challenges and solutions, attracting developers who thrive on solving real-world problems.
• Networking Beyond Job Boards – Traditional hiring channels are competitive. Tech events allow us to build relationships with candidates in a more organic, engaging setting.

Tips for Hiring Top Talent at Tech Events

Based on our experience, here’s what works:

✔ Engage, Don’t Just Recruit – Instead of hard-selling job openings, focus on meaningful conversations about tech trends and challenges.
✔ Leverage Speaker Opportunities – Having your engineers speak at events builds credibility and attracts like-minded professionals.
✔ Host Interactive Sessions – Workshops or hackathons create hands-on engagement, helping candidates experience your company culture.
✔ Follow Up Post-Event – Many great connections fade without follow-ups. Keep in touch with potential candidates through personalized messages.

Challenges of Tech Event Sponsorship

While sponsoring events is highly beneficial, it comes with challenges:

• High Competition – Many companies sponsor the same events, so standing out requires creativity.
• Measuring Direct ROI – Not every interaction leads to a hire, but long-term brand impact matters.
• Logistical Efforts – Organizing booths, talks, and networking requires time and resources.

A Rewarding Partnership

Our collaboration with GitNation has been invaluable in strengthening Picnic’s presence in the tech community. By sponsoring React Summit and React Amsterdam meetups, we’ve not only hired exceptional engineers but also established Picnic as an employer of choice for React developers.

For companies looking to attract top tech talent, investing in community-driven events is a powerful strategy—one that goes beyond job postings and fosters genuine connections.

Interested in joining Picnic’s tech team? Check out our open roles at picnic.nl!

For the past 10 years, GitNation has been at the forefront of organizing developer conferences focused on React & JavaScript, the languages dominating web development. Interested in sponsoring our events? Contact us: [email protected]