Executive search consultants from InterSearch offices in 16 European countries attended a regional business development meeting hosted in Ghent by Schelstraete & Desmedt, the Belgian InterSearch partner, on January 24 and 25.The meeting was scheduled to coincide with the 8th Annual Human Resources Awards organized by Schelstraete & Desmedt, an event designed to reward the best graduate thesis in the field of Human Resource Management and Organizational Development, thereby building a bridge between the academic and business world.Ms J. Gysels of the University of Ghent won this year's HR award with her thesis on "The Relationship Between Job Search Objectives and Job Search Behavior.In line with the subject of the selected thesis, the main topic of the event was talent acquisition. Key note speaker of the event was Astrid De Lathauwer, Chief HR Officer of Belgium's largest telecom operator Belgacom, who gave attendees a unique perspective on "The War for Talent in 2008: Is It Really Happening?"It was very interesting to listen to innovative ideas on how to motivate managers to make the right recruiting decisions with a long-term view, keeping in mind concerns about changing demographics commented Heinz-Dieter Hestermann, Board Director of InterSearch Worldwide.