If you aren’t learning, you aren’t growing. As learning and development (L&D) leaders, we spend a lot of time developing our workforce’s skills — but what about our own? L&D events, like conferences and expos, are a great way for learning leaders to invest in their own development, allowing them to connect with thought leaders from around the world to share key insights and strategies to develop better training.
Why Should I Attend an L&D Conference?
From collaborating with fellow learning leaders and attending sessions to meeting with vendors and interacting with subject matter experts (SMEs) in the field, L&D conferences hold so much value. As an L&D professional, attending events is necessary to stay abreast of emerging trends, get answers to your most challenging questions, talk to other learning professionals in the field and develop new skills.
For learning solutions providers and vendors in L&D, events are a valuable opportunity to find new buyers, build rapport with current clients, market your brand to hundreds of learning leaders and get your business in front of the people who need it the most.
Top 9 L&D Conferences and Events
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular and well-attended L&D conferences in the industry. Here are the top nine L&D conferences to attend:
1. Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE)
The Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) is an unmatched experience, focused solely on the role of the L&D leader. For three days, expert learning leaders gather to gain valuable insights and tangible takeaways for their most pressing learning challenges. TICE is hosted in Raleigh, North Carolina every June.
TICE is the perfect size for the learning leader, with over 600 attendees representing all major industries. Attendees can gain new insights and knowledge during live keynote sessions, delivered by innovative speakers, and engaging breakout sessions. Roundtable topic discussions gives attendees the opportunity to meet and speak with other learning leaders about specific challenges in L&D.
Vendors and learning solutions providers can be a part of TICE by signing up for a booth in the Expo Hall. This is where you can inform learning leaders of new products and services and showcase the latest in innovative learning solutions. TICE cultivates a community of learning leaders to inspire valuable connections and learning solutions.
- Number of Attendees: 600+
- Who Attends: Current and aspiring learning leaders.
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
2. Learning Technologies
The Learning Technologies conference takes place in London and explores technology-supported learning in the workplace, including the latest application of learning technologies and best practices to building learning strategies in today’s digital era.
The annual conference has eight themes to choose from, focused on the emerging trends and insights on using learning tech in training development. From tools and technologies, artificial intelligence, data and analytics, to content design and the future of L&D, Learning Technologies features sessions on a tradeshow floor, presented by vendors of training technologies and related services.
As Europe’s largest L&D conference, Learning Technologies is an opportunity for learning solutions providers to market their products and services in front of the people who need it most. With over 9,000 learning professionals in attendance, it gives vendors the opportunity to showcase new, immersive technologies in front of a large audience.
- Number of Attendees: 9,000
- Who Attends: Learning leaders and professionals.
- Location: London
3. ATD
The ATD International Conference & Expo attracts thousands of L&D professionals from across the globe to gain insights from L&D thought leaders. From L&D practitioners to team leads, chief talent officers to instructional designers, and anything in between, the ATD conference holds value for professionals charged with leading learning in their organization.
The ATD conference is hosted in a different, major city every year, giving learning professionals the opportunity to not only attend one of the largest conferences in the country, but also mingle with a vibrant community of L&D professionals in an exciting, new place.
- Number of Attendees: 9,500
- Who Attends: Learning and talent professionals.
- Location: Varies per year.
4. Training Conference & Expo
The Training Conference & Expo is produced by Training magazine and attracts training and development, learning and performance leaders from public and private sectors, including government, military, universities and colleges. Training Conference & Expo features skill-building content that covers leading topics in L&D, such as train-the-trainer essentials, gamification, leadership development, digital learning and emerging technologies.
The conference is held in Orlando, Florida every year, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Training Conference & Expo works to nurture diversity, inclusion and belonging, dedicating Walt Disney World as the permanent gathering place as the Disney company upholds the same values of celebrating the things that makes Training magazine so different.
- Number of Attendees: 1,900
- Who Attends: Training and development, learning and performance leaders.
- Location: Orlando, Florida
5. Learning & HR Tech Solutions
Learning & HR Tech Solutions (formerly known as Learning Solutions Conference & Expo) has been bringing L&D professionals around the globe together for over a decade, addressing the evolving intersection of learning and human resources (HR) technologies in the workplace.
The conference holds over 150 sessions, dedicated to both L&D and HR professionals, with new knowledge and skills in talent development strategies. Learning and HR professionals can strengthen their skills at the conference and discover new solutions at the expo, a dynamic marketplace where decision-makers can engage in meaningful conversations and discover new ideas and cutting-edge solutions that shape the future of work.
Learning & HR Tech Solutions converges the worlds of learning and HR, addressing the increasing integration between the two, and their shared challenges. This can provide vendors with the opportunity to showcase their business in front of a broader, global audience with both L&D and HR technology needs.
- Number of Attendees: 2,000
- Who Attends: Learning and HR leaders.
- Location: Orlando, Florida
6. SHRM
The Society of Human Resources (SHRM) Annual Conference is a curated event focused on empowering HR leaders to embrace change and drive innovation in their organizations with the tools to advance their professional development and career success. SHRM Annual Conference includes a customizable learning journey, equipping HR professionals with skills development and competency-based education suited solely for their role.
The conference also holds several opportunities for networking and fostering relationships with forward-thinking HR professionals. Partners in the expo can showcase a wide range of HR-related products, services, technologies and solutions.
- Number of Attendees: 20,000
- Who Attends: HR leaders and professionals.
- Location: Varies per year and virtual.
7. DevLearn
DevLearn is an annual conference focused on L&D tools and technologies, exploring emerging and innovative tech in the world of learning. The conference holds more than 150 sessions, hand-selected to support the needs of instructional designers and professionals tasked with the creation of courses, and four keynotes designed to engage, inspire and motivate leaders of the future.
Learning professionals can discover the latest and greatest tools and technologies from innovative suppliers and solutions providers at the DevLearn Expo, the largest learning technologies expo in North America. The expo also features more than 40 free sessions led by thought leaders in the industry. There’s also DemoFest — a science-fair-like event that connects learning leaders with networking opportunities and activities.
- Number of Attendees: 3,500 to 4,000
- Who Attends: Learning leaders and professionals.
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
8. CLO Symposium
The Chief Learning Officer (CLO) Symposium is an annual conference focused solely on the chief learning officer’s role. Since 2003, the event has been developed and driven by the editors of the Chief Learning Officer magazine.
The conference aims to connect L&D executives to network and exchange ideas, best practices and industry trends. At the conference, attendees can hope to gain knowledge and firsthand experience from inspiring keynotes and educational workshops, enriched with personal experiences and real-world success stories.
- Number of Attendees: 300+
- Who Attends: Learning, training and development professionals.
- Location: Varies per year.
9. Corporate Learning Week
Corporate Learning Week is a conference designed exclusively for L&D teams by L&D teams. The annual conference brings the experience of true peer-to-peer learning to attendees, providing plentiful opportunities for team building and cohort-based learning. The event includes focused interactive discussion groups, where learning leaders can discuss key topics impacting L&D now and in the future, L&D team workshops, where L&D teams can learn and grow together, and CUBIC Awards, to celebrate the best-in-class of L&D.
- Number of Attendees: 200+
- Who Attends: L&D teams and departments.
- Location: Varies per year.
Conclusion
Every L&D leader should attend conferences and events to keep track of new trends and technologies, as well as network and collaborate with top leaders in their industry. L&D conferences, whether in person or virtual, can help facilitate the knowledge and learning needed to leverage your skills as a trusted business partner and move your business forward.
For the most optimal learning experience and outcomes, L&D leaders should choose an event aligned with their own learning preferences, as well as what they hope to gain from the experience. When selecting a conference, consider factors like size, location, networking opportunities, topic focus, technology offerings, etc.
For vendors and learning solution providers, L&D conferences and expos are a great business investment and opportunity to market your brand and sell to the people who need it the most. Innovation happens on the supply-side of the market, making conferences an advantageous way to showcase new tools and products, helping L&D professionals take their training programs to the next level.
With these nine events to choose from, there’s no reason not to get your learning on this year.
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