Explore the Conference Tracks

Dive into the practical applications of artificial intelligence in learning and development. This track will guide you on how to strategically implement AI, from building chatbots and generating content to enhancing creativity and ensuring ethical, trusted AI solutions. You’ll gain hands-on experience and learn how to build a compelling business case for AI adoption in your organization.

Empowering Sales Reps with AI: How a Chatbot Drives Real-Time Learning

Session Objectives:

• How to design a chatbot that provides real-time, multilingual sales support while maintaining strict content controls.
• Best practices for driving engagement and adoption among sales teams.
• How to analyze chatbot interactions to continuously refine and improve knowledge delivery.

Speaker(s): Vincent Han, Mobile Coach; Carrie Albers, Dentsply Sirona

AI Unfiltered: What Works, What Fails, and What Awaits

Session Objectives:

• How to distinguish AI solutions that deliver real value from overhyped claims using evidence-based evaluation techniques.
• A step-by-step framework for assessing and integrating AI tools into your learning strategy with measurable outcomes.
• Actionable methods to identify AI’s current limitations and risks and convert these insights into practical strategies for your organization.
• How to develop a forward-thinking roadmap that prepares your team for future AI innovations and challenges.

Speaker(s): Marcus Bernhardt, Endeavor Intelligence

BYOD: Bridge the Gap Between AI Capability & Practical Application in L&D

Session Objectives:

• Master the integration of free LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini into your instructional design workflow to accelerate content development.
• Apply advanced prompting techniques specific to learning content creation, including character development, scenario building, and assessment design.
• Implement a structured approach for preparing and organizing course content development using AI, while maintaining instructional integrity.
• Execute best practices for prompt engineering that consider learning objectives, audience analysis, and delivery methods.

Speaker(s): Nicholas Bird, American Tire Distributors

Building an AI-Ready Mindset for Organizational Growth

Session Objectives:

• Shift your mindset to embrace AI’s role in learning and development.
• Analyze real-world case studies to understand the successes and challenges of AI adoption in L&D.
• Identify key skills needed to effectively leverage AI for organizational growth.
• Discuss practical strategies to foster an AI-ready culture within your team or organization.

Speaker(s): Danielle Wallace; Beyond the Sky Custom Learning

It’s Not Just the Tech: Building a Strategic Learning Ecosystem

Session Objectives:

• Shift from reactive tech adoption to a proactive, phased approach, ensuring alignment with business goals and learning impact.
• Explore ecosystem mapping tools to visualize how existing and future technologies fit together, helping you identify gaps, redundancies, and opportunities.
• Use the SIT-CRAWL-WALK-RUN framework to evaluate where your organization stands in adopting and integrating learning technologies strategically.
• Learn how AI, xAPI, data analytics, and other technologies interact with business systems, people, skills, and relationships to create a cohesive learning ecosystem.

Speaker(s): Megan Torrance; TorranceLearning

Enabling Frontline Workers via AI-Powered Performance Support

Session Objectives:

• How Just on Time and Ahead of Time training are merging to make today’s workers more productive
• How Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) works for creating private company specific AI resources
• What tips, key tools and other building blocks you need to put in place to create a RAG system for your company.

Speaker(s): Chad Udell; SparkLearn

From L&D Professional to Human Machine Performance Analyst: Leveraging AI to Drive Learning Impact

Session Objectives:

• To define the purpose, scope, and key responsibilities of the Human Machine Performance Analyst.
• How to map the competency shift required for L&D professionals—moving from content creation to data driven performance orchestration
• To identify critical data sources, AI tools, and ethical considerations that enable human machine performance analysis
• Design a personal roadmap to transition (or guide a team) into the HMPA role, aligned with organizational strategy.

Speaker(s): Josh Cavalier; JoshCavalier.ai

Unleash AI: Supercharge Your Creativity & Learning Experiences

Session Objectives:

• Identify AI-powered tools that support key phases of the learning design process, including ideation, content
• Describe how AI can enhance creativity, reduce repetitive tasks, and accelerate the development of engaging learning experiences.
• Apply practical strategies for integrating free and low-cost AI tools into your workflow to improve efficiency and learner impact.
• Test driving tools to see if they are a fit for your team, organization or production pipeline.

Speaker(s): Nick Floro; Sealworks Interactive Studios

How to Choose the Right AI-Driven Application Development Tool

Session Objectives:

• What are the top affordable AI application development tools that learning professionals should know about
• Which AI-driven application is the best match for your purposes (prototypes, code snippets, UI/UX design)
• What are the pros and cons for each AI application
• What knowledge, skills and methodologies you need to start using the tools

Speaker(s): Zsolt Olah; Intel

BYOD: Build-a-Bot Workshop: Create Your Own AI-Powered Chatbot

Session Objectives:

• How to structure a chatbot to be an effective, just-in-time learning support
• How to use Microsoft CoPilot Studio to build a custom chatbot
• How to use ChatGPT to build a custom chatbot

Speaker(s): Wendy Morgan; Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC, Chapel Hill

Unlocking AI’s Potential: How to Build a Compelling Business Case

Session Objectives:

• How to identify and articulate the business problem that your AI initiative will solve.
• How to propose an AI solution that addresses the business problem effectively.
• How to define and quantify the expected benefits of implementing the AI solution
• How to develop a comprehensive implementation plan for the AI initiative.

Speaker(s): Debbie Richards; Creative Interactive Ideas

BYOD: How to Increase AI Tool Adoption with an eLearning Escape Room

Session Objectives:

• How to leverage a creative premise to increase interest in AI tool training.
• How to address real-world training needs through escape room puzzles.
• How to utilize the backend features of Storyline to simulate an AI tool.

Speaker(s): Alan Orr; BDO USA, James Brack; BDO USA

From Curiosity to Capability: Mastering AI at Work

Session Objectives:

• Gain a clear, practical understanding of what AI is and how it is currently transforming industries, including the restaurant sector
• Be able to identify and evaluate the right AI tools that align with your specific operational and business needs
• Recognize available training and development opportunities to upskill yourself and your teams in AI technologies
• Develop an AI integration action plan and leave with actionable next steps for thoughtfully incorporating AI into your daily workflows to enhance efficiency and stay ahead of the curve

Speaker(s): Matthew Steele; Wienerschnitzel, Paul Miramontes ; Wienerschnitzel

BYOD: Lessons from Oz: Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the AI

Session Objectives:

• Develop strategies to coach AI’s output, set boundaries, and maintain human control over decision-making
• How to identify and mitigate AI’s blind spots
• Recognize common AI biases, misinformation, and hallucinations, and implement techniques to validate AI-generated content
• Evaluate how AI is changing decision-making, credibility, and leadership, and develop strategies to maintain human oversight
• Experiment with AI in a guided hands-on exercise (BYOD) to ensure it enhances, rather than replaces, human expertise

Speaker(s): Josh Penzell; ImaginationApplied.ai

Stock Photos to Stunning: Generate Custom Images with AI

Session Objectives:

• How to use AI image generation tools like Midjourney to generate custom images for training
• Strategies for generating images with consistent styles and characters
• When to use various AI image generation tools based on their strengths and weaknesses
• Prompt-writing techniques for improved image generation results

Speaker(s): Christy Tucker; Syniad Learning, LLC

How to Design AI Solutions That People Trust

Session Objectives:

• How trust between learners and technology is different than trust between two people
• Why trust is an important factor in the success of AI-based learning experiences such as chatbots or intelligent tutors
• Why some people are more likely to trust automated systems than others
• What the factors that build trust between people and AI systems are

Speaker(s): Jennifer Solberg; Quantum Improvements Consulting

This track is designed to enhance your data literacy and empower you to demonstrate the tangible value of your L&D initiatives. Learn to move beyond simple completion rates to measure true performance impact. You’ll explore how to use tools like xAPI and pivot tables to analyze data, create compelling visualizations, and communicate the strategic value of learning to stakeholders.

Data Literacy for L&D: Building Skills for Data-Driven Decisions

Session Objectives:

• In this session, you will learn foundational data literacy concepts to understand data visualizations and collaborate effectively on data-related projects.
• During this session we will talk through practical analysis techniques to extract insights from your reports.
• In this session we will cover how understanding your data can lead to connections between learning analytics and business outcomes to demonstrate L&D’s strategic value
• In this session you’ll understand the importance of transform from data consumers to strategic partners by understanding data-driven collaboration and decision-making skills

Speaker(s): Bobby Deibler; The Nature Conservancy

Show the Value of Learning: Demonstrating the Impact of L&D

Session Objectives:

• How to build the tech ecosystem needed to track learning effectiveness and business impact
• How to move beyond completion rates using meaningful learning metrics
• How to use dashboards and storytelling with data to communicate success
• How to market your L&D team internally
• How to share results with leadership to secure future investment in L&D

Speaker(s): Laura Bartus; Humana Inc

BYOD: Pivot Table Basics: Unlock the Power of Data with Excel or Google Sheets

Session Objectives:

• The basics of creating a pivot table using either Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
• How to use Pivot Table Functions, such as filtering and grouping effectively
• Why Pivot Tables are used to turn raw data into actionable insights
• What components make a dataset available to create a Pivot Table?

Speaker(s): Suzanne Neafus; State of Connecticut

BYOD: Enhancing Data & Process Visualization in PowerPoint

Session Objectives:

• Why it’s important to tell stories with the data you present
• How to use PowerPoint animation to tell a visual story with charts, graphs, and data
• How to combine the “morph” transition and a series of animations in PowerPoint in order to organize and illustrate a process, such as onboarding a new hire
• How to build an animated tote board or odometer to present data

Speaker(s): Michael West; Colonial Life

Investigate Performance Impact Like an L&D Detective

Session Objectives:

• Why a performance-focused approach is more effective than traditional training evaluations for measuring the contribution of learning to workplace performance.
• Ways to integrate measurement planning at the start of training initiatives to ensure impact assessment is seamless and actionable.
• Key blockers that prevent effective measurement and practical strategies to overcome them.
• A structured framework for assessing training’s contribution using facts, clues, evidence, and data rather than assumptions.
• Techniques for building and presenting a compelling case for learning’s impact that resonates with stakeholders.

Speaker(s): Kevin M. Yates; L&D Detective

BYOD: Beyond Completion: Track Real Impact with xAPI in Rise

Session Objectives:

• To identify when to use SCORM 1.2/2004 ( different editions), CMI5, and xAPI.
• To recognize the components of an xAPI statement to craft data that aligns with the outcomes you want.
• How to generate and implement custom xAPI statements in Articulate Rise to track meaningful learner interactions beyond completion data.
• How to use no-code tools (like the xAPI Code Generator) and plugins (like Mighty) to streamline the xAPI implementation process, even if you’re not a developer.
• How to align your xAPI tracking strategy with learning goals and business outcomes to surface more impactful insights from your learning experiences.
• How to create leaderboards using Rises’ quiz functionality.

Speaker(s): Melissa Milloway; Microsoft

The Metrics That Matter: Data-Driven Enablement

Session Objectives:

• How to identify and define meaningful KPIs for enablement programs
• About basic data analysis techniques for actionable insights
• About building measurement into program design
• How to tell impactful stories with data

Speaker(s): Saira Thadani; Amazon Web Services (AWS); Kim Kelley; AWS

Making Measurement Easier: Simple Solutions for Evaluating Learning

Session Objectives:

• Create a strategy for any training program demonstrating how learning is linked to short and long-term business outcomes.
• Tell an accurate, compelling story to stakeholders showing how a learning initiative can positively influence business KPIs.
• Identify the right data to collect during and after a learning experience to show the outcomes and impact of their program.

Speaker(s): Alaina Szlachta; By Design Development Solutions

Measuring Impact Beyond Engagement: The ROI of Learning Communities

Session Objectives:

• Explore how learning communities deliver measurable value to organizations.
• Discover a toolkit of metrics and methods to evaluate the success of community-building initiatives.
• Gain actionable insights to justify investments in learning communities to leadership.

Speaker(s): Tracy Buckner; Red Hat

Get hands-on with the latest tools and techniques to create exceptional learning experiences. This track covers everything from mastering accessibility in Articulate Storyline and crafting interactive scenarios to leveraging JavaScript and budget-friendly design tools. You’ll leave with practical skills to build more engaging, effective, and visually appealing eLearning content.

BYOD: Getting Started with Accessibility Features in Articulate Storyline

Session Objectives:

• How to ensure interactive elements are accessible using only the keyboard (Tab, Enter, and Arrow keys) and control the logical navigation flow with the Focus Order tool.
• How to use alternative text and meaningful descriptions to make interactive elements accessible to screen readers like JAWS.
• How to use color contrast checkers to maintain accessible text and background color ratios.
• How to stay compliant with WCAG 2.1 guidelines
• How to add closed captions for audio and video content using Storyline’s built-in feature.
• How to test your course with accessibility tools, including keyboard navigation and screen readers.

Speaker(s): Ngoc (Alice) Schrynemeeckers, Harris Health

BYOD: Choose Your Own Adventure: Build & Launch Interactive Scenario Learning

Session Objectives:

• Best practices for crafting engaging and meaningful decision-based learning experiences.
• Strategies for using choose-your-own-adventure scenarios to enhance learning experiences in training.
• How to design and structure interactive branching scenarios.

Speaker(s): Melissa Sykes, HealthTech Solutions/Solarity; Tara Bass, HealthTech Solutions/Solarity; Kellie McDermott, HealthTech Solutions/Solarity

BYOD: Easy-to-Use JavaScript Snippets for Storyline 360

Session Objectives:

• Explore the new JavaScript API
• Explore resources that make custom JS easier
• Learn how to tweak and adjust the code to fit your needs
• Learn how to leverage AI to get custom JavaScript

Speaker(s): Jeff Batt, Learning Dojo

No AI? No Problem! Find Success with Limited Tools & Resources

Session Objectives:

• How to leverage the Microsoft ecosystem to create custom solutions for business needs
• Using SharePoint and Teams in innovative ways
• Using Power Automate to enhance personal and team productivity
• Not so different after all – similarities between SharePoint and Excel
• Give everyone what they want – email, DMs, dashboards, spreadsheets, cloud and local files

Speaker(s): Jason Wyatt, FINRA

Canva Hacks for Learning Pros: High-Impact Visuals with Minimal Effort

Session Objectives:

• Ways to brand designs effortlessly and maintain consistency
  How to create high-quality instructional designs quickly using Canva
• Steps to download and integrate Canva assets into training materials
• Adding interactivity and engagement to presentations using Canva
• Time-saving techniques to reduce design effort by 30-60%
• How to transition from Canva to PowerPoint to Storyline and other tools seamlessly

Speaker(s): Nick Shelton, OneAmerica Financial

Budget-Friendly Tools & Tips for Making Visual Design Easy

Session Objectives:

• What budget-friendly tools can simplify visual and multimedia design for learning content.
• What free or inexpensive online resources can help you source great visuals or make the ones you have better.
• What tools and services can help you improve the accessibility of the visuals and media in your learning content.
• How to use the tools you already have in creative ways to polish your visual designs further.

Speaker(s): Bianca Woods, ATD

BYOD: Unlock SCORM’s Potential to Gather Detailed Data

Session Objectives:

• Identify all components of an eLearning module that can be tracked using SCORM, including unique approaches to leveraging the score tracking functionality.
• Configure SCORM tracking into a Storyline course, including quiz slide setup, export settings, and validating accurate data capture in the LMS.
• Aggregate and analyze SCORM data to understand trends, improve course design, and make data-driven decisions.

Speaker(s): Poul Myrner, SEPHORA

Effective Visual Communication Using PowerPoint

Session Objectives:

• Craft persuasive audience-focused messages that cater to their needs and achieve your objectives
• Incorporate visual storytelling to engage audiences and ensure they understand and follow-through
• Use PowerPoint as a tool to meaningfully and successfully communicate

Speaker(s): Richard Goring, BrightCarbon

BYOD: eLearning Adjacent: Creative Projects to Level Up Your ID Skills

Session Objectives:

• How to build Interactive Explainer Videos
• What an Interactive Document is and how to create it
• Learn about different kinds of eCards you can build
• Design and build interactive mock-ups for applications
• How to house your independent or unique projects

Speaker(s): Tim Crowe, Independent Contractor; Kelly Fischer, Independent Contractor

Smart, Simple & Affordable: NFC-Powered Learning for On-Site Employees

Session Objectives:

• How to design budget-friendly interactive learning experiences using NFC technology to engage onsite employees.
• How to program an NFC tag with training content, job aids, or interactive tasks without the need for expensive software or advanced technical skills.
• How to implement NFC-based learning in your organization by identifying practical use cases, overcoming potential challenges, and ensuring a seamless learner experience.

Speaker(s): Tory Hord, Tory Hord Consulting

Discover how to harness the power of game mechanics and gamification to create motivating and memorable learning experiences. This track will teach you how to apply principles from video games, use AI to create immersive story-driven games, and even gamify leadership development. Learn how to make learning fun and effective by leveling up your design skills.

Game On: Learning Design Lessons from Video Game Mechanics

Session Objectives:

• How to integrate interactive elements like in-game tutorials and storytelling.
• How to design failure as a learning tool without frustrating learners.
• How to balance challenge and motivation to sustain learner engagement.
• When and why to borrow visual and UI elements from games to improve course design.

Speaker(s): Raymond Butler, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing

Action-First Learning, AI & the Quest for Meaningful Learner Engagement

Session Objectives:

• How to define Action-First Learning and explain its principles and advantages in promoting learner engagement.
• Identify ways AI can support Action-First Learning, through chatbots and interactive conversations.
• How to implement three practical techniques that foster deeper learner involvement, translating engagement into improved job performance and skill mastery.

Speaker(s): Karl Kapp, Commonwealth University; Jessica Briskin, Commonwealth University

Bridge Skills Gaps with GenAI Powered Storytelling: A Case Study & Demo

Session Objectives:

• How we used gen AI powered storytelling to create a gamification program that addressed the soft skills and behavioral gaps in a highly technical curriculum.
• How to design a cohesive and engaging narrative that emphasizes desired behaviors, using a custom-trained AI agent.
• How to generate high-quality media assets, including videos and music, through a variety of gen AI tools.
• How to use generative AI to craft effective prompts that guide the creation of engaging soft skills-focused story-driven content.

Speaker(s): Tristia Hennessey, Evolve Solutions Group

Gamifying Leadership Development: Innovative Approaches to Skill-Building

Session Objectives:

• How to design gamified learning experiences that teach strategic leadership skills, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and communication.
• How to align game mechanics with real-world challenges to create engaging, outcome-driven learning opportunities.
• Effective strategies for leveraging gamification to build emotional intelligence and optimize team dynamics.

Speaker(s): Sarah Fowler, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Game Design for Creative Problem Solving: Play Your Way to Clarity

Session Objectives:

• How to apply game design principles to clarify ambiguous or complex learning problems
• To identify and explain the benefits of structured play in instructional design
• To engage in design thinking processes to refine and enhance instructional game ideas
• To use visual thinking and metaphorical storytelling to unlock creative problem-solving
• How to leverage game mechanics to develop learning-focused game prototypes

Speaker(s): Kevin Thorn, Nuggethead Studioz

The xAPI Playground: Using Games to Get Your People into xAPI

Session Objectives:

• How to apply xAPI to your organization’s learning projects through interactive facilitation techniques and gamification
• How to design and run engaging workshops that help stakeholders understand the power of xAPI for tracking learning experiences
• Hands-on experience with games and activities that simplify complex xAPI concepts and make them accessible to non-technical audiences
• Strategies for becoming an xAPI facilitator, enabling you to drive digital learning innovation within your company
  practical tools and frameworks to create an action plan for implementing xAPI in your learning ecosystem

Speaker(s): Nicola Mastrorilli, Cartesiani

Deliver Sales Training That Drives Success!

Session Objectives:

• Basics of gamification
• How we have used gamification to achieve 1 million questions answered per year on our service offerings
• Both positive and negative learnings we have experienced with a gamified solution

Speaker(s): Vaughan O’Lear, KPMG

For L&D leaders looking to drive change and align learning with business objectives, this track is a must. You will learn how to build a strategic vision for learning, gain buy-in from stakeholders, and lead your team through the evolving landscape of L&D. Topics include preparing for emerging technologies, designing a future-ready learning ecosystem, and leading with confidence in the age of AI.

Designing for Longevity: Reducing the Maintenance Burden

Session Objectives:

• Plan and structure learning programs that remain relevant over time, minimizing the need for frequent updates
• Create flexible content that can easily accommodate changes in compliance requirements, technical updates, or organizational shifts
• Make updates efficient and straightforward, reducing the time and effort spent on reworking existing courses
• Design for longevity without compromising learner engagement, ensuring training solutions stay effective and impactful
• Incorporate innovative design approaches while addressing the practical needs of evergreen content, such as compliance, technical training, and simulations

Speaker(s): Garima Gupta, Artha Learning Inc

From Pitch to Approval: Navigating Internal Buy-In for Training Initiatives

Session Objectives:

• How to craft a compelling business case for your training project.
• Techniques for communicating ROI and other financial metrics effectively.
• Approaches to building and leveraging stakeholder relationships.
• Overcoming common objections and challenges in the approval process.

Speaker(s): Arvind Singh, CPA Canada

Leading Through Change

Session Objectives:

• The acronym VUCA has never been more apt: Leading your team in our Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and often Ambiguous times demands the right mindset and approach.
• Join this dynamic discussion session, hosted by experienced agents of change. Be prepared to discuss questions and challenges with fellow attendees as you explore the leaders’ insights.

Speaker(s): Marjan Bradeško, NIL, part of Conscia; Frank Nguyen, Genentech; Sandie Dela Cruz, Edwards Lifesciences

Fu Pan It! Applying Chess Strategy for Continuous Improvement

Session Objectives:

• Define the Fu Pan continuous improvement model and its application to businesses and individuals
• Describe when and how to use Fu Pan as well as its importance to future success
• Apply the Fu Pan model to your own projects and goals

Speaker(s): Marley Johnson, Lenovo

Tasks vs Skills: Where AI Excels & Why

Session Objectives:

• The importance of balancing skills strategies with tasks
• Removing the hype of skills-based organizations (SBOs)
• How AI loves tasks versus skills

Speaker(s): Marc Ramos, ServiceNow

Niche Platform to Dynamic Ecosystem: How Paul Mitchell Took Its LMS 200 to 30,000 Active Users

Session Objectives:

• About strategies and techniques used to increase content engagement and cater to the diverse needs of a learning audience
• How collaboration with different departments was facilitated to boost marketing visibility and attract new users
• What actions can be implemented to develop a practical plan to boost the growth of content offerings in a Learning Management System (LMS)

Speaker(s): Nicole Liu, John Paul Mitchell Systems; Lisa Huynh, John Paul Mitchell Systems

Preparing Your Learning Ecosystem for Emerging Technologies

Session Objectives:

• With AI and other emerging technologies transforming the way we work, keeping your learning tech stack current is a struggle. If you’re wondering where to begin, this session is for you. Meet L&D leaders who can guide your journey, whether you are updating your learning ecosystem to keep pace, building a new tech stack, or looking to add a few tools that will ensure your team stays current.
• Join the conversation, discuss the questions, and learn from peers what to do, what to avoid, and where to start.

Speaker(s): Tracie Cantu, Your Chief Learning Officer; Katie Nelson, Northrop Gruman; Faiz Gouri, Microsoft

Aligning Learning Organization Design to Accelerate the Business

Session Objectives:

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of decentralized, centralized, and federated learning models
• Review the pros and cons of generalist versus specialist models
• Differentiate between learning products and services
• Optimize learning organization design to support learning and business strategies

Speaker(s): Frank Nguyen, Genentech

Designing Your Learning Ecosystem for Tomorrow’s Workplace

Session Objectives:

• Discuss pros and cons of decentralized, centralized versus federated learning models
• Discuss pros and cons of generalist versus specialist models
• Differentiate between learning products versus services
• Optimize learning organization design to support learning and business strategies

Speaker(s): Erin Huizenga, Desklight

From Chaos to Clarity: A Roadmap for Streamlining L&D Operations

Session Objectives:

• Identify inefficiencies in your L&D operations and their impact
• Map and analyze workflows to pinpoint bottlenecks
• Create streamlined processes that improve learning delivery
• Align L&D workflows with business goals for leadership buy-in
• Improve collaboration with HR, IT, and leadership for smoother execution
• Develop an action plan for process improvement with minimal disruption

Speaker(s): Sandie Dela Cruz, Edwards Lifesciences

Master the Vendor Maze: Smart Strategies to Collaborate, Innovate & Navigate

Session Objectives:

• The keys to a successful vendor relationship
• About the importance of combining your business expertise with a vendor’s specialized knowledge
• Common problems and challenges in vendor-partner relationships, and how to overcome and avoid these
• Best practices from peers at other organizations working with vendors

Speaker(s): Kesha Dougan, ttcinnovations; Janine Anderson, ttcinnovations

My Magic Wand Is Stuck in Shipping: Right-Sizing Stakeholder Expectations

Session Objectives:

• How to recognize if your stakeholder expectations lack clarity.
• How to create consistent guidelines in the form of an external L&D playbook that will clarify expectations for stakeholders from the beginning of each project.
• Four key components to include in your external L&D playbook.

Speaker(s): Jess Almlie, Almlie Consulting

Identifying Skill & Knowledge Gaps with Data

Session Objectives:

• Ensuring that your organization is prepared for the future means identifying and eliminating skill and knowledge gaps. This discussion-focused session, with facilitators who are experienced in assessing the skills and knowledge employees need to align their work with organizational goals, will present stimulating questions and dialog to help you identify existing and potential skills gaps and formulate a plan to close them.

Speaker(s): Koreen Pagano, Isanno; Bobby Deibler, The Nature Conservancy; Laura Bartus, Humana Inc

Create Transformational Learning: Leading L&D in the Age of AI

Session Objectives:

• How to define where your role is with AI (i.e., in the loop, outside the loop, or on the loop).
• How to focus your own development on what you as a learning professional uniquely bring to the organization.
• How to more clearly identify stakeholders, SMEs, and learners in the process of taking a problem and transforming it to learning.
• Why details of the learning experience matter and why focusing on this is important.

Speaker(s): Lauren LePage, Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Plan for Success by Preparing to Fail: Conducting Pre-Mortems

Session Objectives:

• Why pre-mortems are a valuable tool to reduce risk in a project
• How to lead an effective pre-mortem with stakeholders to crowdsource potential risks in early stages of a product build
• How to identify which risks are the most likely to occur and would have the greatest impact
• How to build a strategy that outlines how to prevent risks from occurring, as well as an effective action plan should the worst occur
• How to foster trust with stakeholders and leaders by creating space and encouraging all concerns to be heard and considered

Speaker(s): Pam Lee, The World Bank; Nicole, Topping, McKinsey & Company

Step into the future with immersive learning technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR). This track offers a look into designing for these platforms, with real-world case studies and practical guidance. You’ll get a chance to see how these technologies are being used to create powerful, low-risk training experiences.

AR Design for Beginners: 2 Case Studies

Session Objectives:

• Study competencies from real-life experiences, sharing tips from two AR projects
• Discover how instructional designers effectively collaborate with AR developers to create impactful experiences
• Explore best practices for planning your AR experience to ensure a smooth design process
• Review the fundamental principles of AR and 3D design and how those differ from 2D design

Speaker(s): Colleen Kelsey, Cincinnati Insurance Companies; Leonard Wedderburn, Cincinnati Insurance Companies

Using ADDIE in VR Design: A Case Study

Session Objectives:

• How to apply the ADDIE methodology to a VR training development project
• What tools you can use as an instructional designer in a VR project
• What tools and models worked in this project, what didn’t work and what gaps this project identified
• What resources are available for instructional designers to learn more about design in VR environments

Speaker(s): Shelley Pinder, ENMAX

Daikin’s XR Journey: Transforming Training & Customer Engagement

Session Objectives:

• How to identify high-value VR opportunities using the “DICE” model (Dangerous, Impossible, Counterproductive, or Expensive) and drive 10x learning and business improvements.
• How to build a compelling business case for enterprise VR by aligning with multiple business functions beyond L&D to drive leadership buy-in and ROI.
• How to design and deploy multi-platform (from iPhones to XR headsets), multi-player 3D experiences across a global sales organization.
• How to evaluate and measure VR program success through both quantitative and qualitative metrics.
  how to transform industrial sales and training with extended reality (XR).

Speaker(s): Anders Gronstedt, Gronstedt Group

BYOD: Build & Explore AR: Create an Interactive Training Experience

Session Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of augmented reality (AR) and its applications in learning.
• Explore low-cost and accessible AR development tools for building immersive experiences.
• Develop a working AR prototype using web-based tools in real-time.
• Learn best practices for integrating AR into a learning program.
• Gain hands-on experience troubleshooting and refining an AR project.

Speaker(s): Destery Hildenbrand, Destery1Kenobi LLC

Transforming Real-World Compliance Challenges into Immersive Training

Session Objectives:

• How to translate real-world compliance challenges into immersive training by using real case studies and workplace scenarios to enhance learner engagement.
• Techniques for designing scenario-based simulations that mirror actual compliance dilemmas, encouraging critical thinking and decision-making.
• Best practices for integrating interactive elements, such as avatars and branching narratives, to create realistic and emotionally engaging learning experiences.
• Strategies for measuring and maximizing the impact of immersive compliance training, ensuring it drives behavior change and meets regulatory learning objectives.
• A step-by-step approach to building engaging compliance training that bridges the gap between theory and real-world application.

Speaker(s): Emily Scarbrough McFadden, Showd.me

This track is a deep dive into the art and science of instructional design. You’ll explore everything from cognitive science and learner-centric design to working effectively with SMEs and creating accessible, neurodiverse-friendly content. You will leave with a robust toolkit of strategies to design learning that is truly impactful and backed by science.

Training for the Trades: Workforce Development in Action

Session Objectives:

• Follow a six-part outline to identify the key drivers behind a workforce development training initiative.
• Shift your focus from content and topic areas to solving real-world challenges faced by the people you serve.
• Evaluate various teaching and design strategies to ensure they match the project’s objectives.

Speaker(s): Diane Elkins, Artisan Learning; Jarrod Hogan, Artisan Learning

Leverage AI Effectively for Media Creation in Learning Design

Session Objectives:

• Understand the best practices for leveraging AI in the instructional design process.
• Discuss techniques for using AI to transform existing materials into engaging e-learning materials.
• Explore AI features in media development tools (e.g., Synthesia, WellSaidLabs, and PowToon).
• Discuss affordances and constraints of using AI tools, including learner feedback, and potential areas for improvement.

Speaker(s): Nafiza Akter, Pfizer

It’s Not You, It’s SME: The Real Reasons SMEs Don’t Engage

Session Objectives:

• How to set clear expectations with SMEs about their role as expert and reviewer
• How to identify and engage SMEs with the right skillsets for your project
• How to progress on a project when pertinent information is unavailable or in flux
• How to accommodate SMEs who have time constraints and competing priorities
• How to elicit contributions when there are power imbalances among SMEs

Speaker(s): Kali Dimaris, Morningstar

The Science of Attention & Engagement for Learning

Session Objectives:

• How cognitive load memory functions influence attention
• How we allocate and manage attention
• How to engage learners’ attention and manage distraction

Speaker(s): Julie Dirksen, Usable Learning LLC

Extending Learning Across Time: The Whys & Hows of Spaced Practice

Session Objectives:

• What spaced learning means in practice
• Spacing rubrics to guide implementation
• Different reactivation types and cognitive roles
• The factors that impact the quantity of spacing

Speaker(s): Clark Quinn, Quinnovation

Design Learner-Centric Certification Exams: A Case Study

Session Objectives:

• How to apply UX research methods to uncover learner needs and improve certification exams.
• What focus group techniques can validate exam content and enhance learner engagement.
• How to translate research insights into actionable design improvements for exams.
• Why merging UX research with focus groups creates more effective learning program experiences.
• How to measure the impact of research-driven changes on exam performance and satisfaction.

Speaker(s): Yunika Liu, Bluebeam

Power Up Scenario-Based Learning with Avatars & Storytelling

Session Objectives:

• Design Engaging Story-Driven Scenarios: Learn how to craft compelling narratives that immerse learners in realistic decision-making experiences.
• Create Authentic Character Avatars: Discover how to develop avatars that enhance emotional connection, guide learners, and drive engagement.
• Applying Storytelling for Better Knowledge Retention: Understand how narrative techniques improve comprehension, retention, and real-world application.
• Integrating Avatars into Learning Experiences: Explore using avatars as mentors, peers, or challengers to enhance learner interaction and engagement.

Speaker(s): Dena Byrne-Moses, Delta Air Lines

BYOD: User-Centered eLearning: Action Mapping & Real-World Scenarios

Session Objectives:

• How to apply Action Mapping techniques to design eLearning that focuses on real-world actions rather than just information delivery.
• Methods for integrating simulations and relatable characters to enhance learner engagement and contextual understanding.
• How to adopt a user-centered mindset in instructional design by understanding learner needs, behaviors, and motivations.
• Shifting from knowledge-based learning objectives to performance-based goals that measure on-the-job application.

Speaker(s): Shaniqua Washington, Verisk, Analytics

Beyond the Checklist: Writing Guidelines That Enhance eLearning Quality

Session Objectives:

• How to write effective eLearning quality guidelines that are clear, actionable, and measurable, ensuring consistency in instructional design, accessibility, and engagement.
• The difference between guidelines, best practices, and rules and when to use each to maintain flexibility while ensuring quality.
• How to structure and format eLearning guidelines so they are easy to follow, implement, and scale across teams.
• Strategies for rolling out and enforcing quality guidelines to support adoption by instructional designers, developers, and stakeholders.
• How to continuously refine and improve guidelines based on feedback, learner data, and evolving industry standards.

Speaker(s): Hadiya Nuriddin, Duets Learning

Designs That Matter: Creativity Backed by Science

Session Objectives:

• How to identify and decrease cognitive load in learning materials using evidence-based principles.
• How to make support design choices with evidence-based principles.
• How to use the features in common content authoring tools to decrease cognitive overload.

Speaker(s): Casey Shiray, Amazon

Escalate Your Impact: 3 Steps to Simplify Complex Content

Session Objectives:

• How to use a 3-step translation framework to transform complex technical content into accessible learning
• Practical techniques for identifying what your audience truly needs to know versus what can be simplified or eliminated
• Methods for converting technical information into actionable guidance that supports real-world application

Speaker(s): Hannah Huggins, MCD Global Health; Shiqi Tao, MCD Global Health

Learning Design for Skills-Based Organizations

Session Objectives:

• What does a transformation to becoming a skills-based organization actually involve?
• How can you ensure you are focusing on skills during the learning design process?
• What do good examples of learning programs that focus on skills look like?
• How should I be thinking about data collection when it comes to skills?

Speaker(s): Cammy Bean, Kineo

Skills Metro Map: A Visual Guide to Employee Development Journeys

Session Objectives:

• How to design a skills metro map that visualizes career growth by mapping key competencies and skill progressions for specific job roles.
• How to create and use rubrics to measure skill proficiency and track employee progress along their personalized development journeys.
• How to connect skills frameworks to business outcomes by aligning them with L&D programs and strategic initiatives.

Speaker(s): Kanchan Shine, Hurix Digital

No Pain, No Gain: Leveraging ‘Desirable Difficulties’ in Learning Design

Session Objectives:

• How to design eLearning modules that incorporate desirable difficulties, such as spaced learning and retrieval practice, to enhance long-term retention.
• How to apply cognitive challenges in eLearning to foster deeper engagement.
• What interactive tools and strategies can be used to create desirable difficulties.
• How to evaluate the effectiveness of desirable difficulties in training and learning and measure their impact on performance.
  to distinguish between what a desirable difficulty is and what isn’t, i.e., their lethal mutations.

Speaker(s): Nidhi Sachdeva, University of Toronto

Paper Prototyping for Instructional Design

Session Objectives:

• How to incorporate paper prototyping into your instructional design process
• How to facilitate a collaborative paper prototyping brainstorming session
• How to use paper prototypes to model complex systems
• How to use paper prototypes to playtest and socialize new ideas

Speaker(s): Deidre Witan, Curriculum Associates

10 Common Accessibility Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Session Objectives:

• Why your courses should meet accessibility standards
• Why your courses likely currently are NOT meeting accessibility standards
• How to remediate accessibility issues and prevent them moving forward, regardless of authoring tool
• How to “shift left” with accessibility in course development
• How to create an accessibility checklist to streamline course creation

Speaker(s): Elizabeth Kuhlmann, Yukon Learning

Designing for Neurodiversity: Inclusive Strategies for Diverse Learners

Session Objectives:

• What neurodiversity is and how it impacts learning experiences.
• How to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to create more inclusive learning programs.
• Strategies for designing accessible eLearning that supports learners with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent profiles.
• How to implement flexible content delivery and varied assessment methods to support diverse learners.
• Best practices for reducing cognitive overload and enhancing engagement through visual, auditory, and interactive design strategy

Speaker(s): KayLee Klimchak, CSI Companies

Navigate the complex world of learning platforms to build a robust and effective learning ecosystem. This track covers everything from modernizing your LMS and mastering SCORM to creating accessible and engaging virtual and hybrid learning experiences. Learn how to optimize your platforms for growth and ensure they meet the needs of your learners and your organization.

Reimagining the LMS: Modern Alternatives to Legacy Systems

Session Objectives:

• How to assess and compare modern learning platforms (LMS, LXP, microlearning, and headless systems) to determine the best fit for your organization’s needs.
• Learn strategies for transitioning from a legacy LMS by conducting a gap analysis, aligning technology with business goals, and building a phased implementation roadmap.
• How to integrate modern learning technologies into a cohesive ecosystem that enhances learner experience, supports personalization, and drives measurable business impact.

Speaker(s): Tracie Cantu, Your Chief Learning Officer

From Good to Great: Leveraging Your LMS with Best Practices

Session Objectives:

• Why the LMS matters for more than just reporting
• What the three pillars of LMS administration are and what you can expect from each of them
• The how and why behind documentation practices
• What skills an LMS admin needs to be successful

Speaker(s): Katie Nelson, Northrop Grumman

Fast, Easy, & Cheap: Learning Management on WordPress

Session Objectives:

• How to effectively gather requirements to drive your LMS selection.
• The Wordpress platform and ecosystem around it.
• The pros and cons of running an LMS on Wordpress

Speaker(s): Dan Schwartz, Boston Children’s Hospital

Troubleshooting SCORM Like a Pro: The Standards Experts Show You How

Session Objectives:

• Best practices for creating and publishing your eLearning
• How to test and troubleshoot SCORM packages
• Understanding and fixing LMS launch failures
• How to find common errors in course debug logs

Speaker(s): Joe Donnelly, Rustici Software; Chris Tompkins, Rustici Software

Include Everyone in Virtual Training: Creating Accessible Online Classes

Session Objectives:

• Consider accessibility from the start of a virtual training project
  use common accessibility features found in virtual classroom platforms
• Discover techniques to improve the virtual experience for all learners
  consider activity adaptations for diverse audiences

Speaker(s): Cindy Huggett, Cindy Huggett Consulting, LLC

BYOD: Engaging Across Distance: Hybrid Learning with Miro

Session Objectives:

• What techniques make Miro an effective tool for engaging both in-room and remote learners.
• How to use Miro’s interactive features to foster real-time collaboration across hybrid audiences.
• What strategies help keep both in-person and Zoom participants actively involved in discussions.
• How to design Miro boards that create an inclusive and seamless learning experience for all attendees.
• What best practices ensure smooth facilitation and engagement in a hybrid learning environment.

Speaker(s): Daryn Bryden, Apple

Optimize Learning Platforms for Scalable Growth with AI & Cloud Technologies

Session Objectives:

• How to optimize cloud-based learning platforms for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.
• AI-driven techniques for intelligent resource allocation and predictive system scaling.
• How to analyze and optimize system bottlenecks using cloud monitoring and real-time analytics.
• Balancing cost vs. performance when scaling learning platforms in the cloud.
• How AI-powered caching, automation, and cloud-native solutions can improve performance and user experience.

Speaker(s): Faiz Gouri, Microsoft

Discover how to deliver learning at the moment of need by embedding it directly into the daily workflow. This track will show you how to move from a “training” mindset to a performance-support strategy. You’ll explore the latest in microlearning, how to leverage AI for content creation, and how to make learning a seamless part of the job.

From Training to Performance Fast! See How Inspira Made the Shift

Session Objectives:

• How to shift from a learning-focused approach to a performance-driven strategy in record time.
• Key mindset changes necessary for rapid transformation.
• How Inspira achieved this shift successfully and what you can apply from their journey.
• Why this isn’t just another learning solution, but a complete shift in methodology and execution.
• The role of the Digital Coach in accelerating adoption and impact.
• Ways to measure the impact of workflow learning on business performance

Speaker(s): Bob Mosher, APPLY Synergies, a 5 Moments of Need Company; John Townsend, Inspira Financial

Workflow to Knowledge-Flow: Embedding Learning in Organizational Tools

Session Objectives:

• Practical strategies to integrate learning content into everyday workplace tools like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Zoom, ensuring learning is seamlessly embedded within existing workflows.
• How to map business processes and identify key touchpoints where just-in-time learning can improve employee performance and productivity.
• Techniques for creating contextual learning content, including microlearning modules and job aids, designed to support specific tasks and workflows.
• Methods for maximizing learner engagement by aligning training with daily business activities, making learning easily accessible and relevant.
• How to measure the impact of embedded learning by using analytics tools within your LMS and communication platforms.

Speaker(s): Shaun Dell, Teranet Inc

Microlearning Snapshot: How It’s Used & the Impact of Gen AI

Session Objectives:

• How practitioners commonly use microlearning.
• Innovative uses of microlearning.
• The impact of generative AI on microlearning.

Speaker(s): Carla Torgerson, SweetRush

Power Mobile Learning with ChatGPT

Session Objectives:

• Rapid course outlining: Use ChatGPT to generate structured course frameworks optimized for mobile delivery.
• Generate microlearning from existing materials: Break down long-form training content into concise, engaging mobile learning modules.
• Auto-generate assessments: Leverage AI to create multiple-choice, open-ended, and scenario-based questions that reinforce learning in mobile-friendly formats.
• Refine AI-generated content: Use effective prompt techniques to improve the form and instructional design of AI-generated content.

Speaker(s): Paul Clothier, Independent Consultant

Elevate your learning programs with high-impact video and media. This track will teach you how to apply cinematic techniques to your instructional videos, get professional results with the equipment you already have, and create compelling visuals for any learning scenario. You’ll also learn how to collaborate effectively on video projects and understand what makes a video truly effective for learners.

BYOD: From Assets to Images: Crafting High Quality Learning Scenario Visuals

Session Objectives:

• Learn how to find and select suitable backgrounds that align with the learning context and objectives.
• Gain skills in adjusting and aligning perspectives to ensure visual coherence and realism in learning scenarios.
• Develop proficiency in using masking and clipping tools to seamlessly integrate different digital elements.
• Explore tools and methods to manipulate perspective for various types of digital assets.

Speaker(s): Tim Ng, Corporation for Supportive Housing

Bump the Lamp: Film & TV Techniques to Enhance Learning Design

Session Objectives:

• How to apply storytelling and cinematic techniques to create more immersive learning experiences.
• The role of lighting, sound, and framing in enhancing the effectiveness of instructional videos.
• How to use editing and pacing strategies to keep learners engaged.
• How to balance entertainment and education to create meaningful learning moments.
• Practical steps for implementing film and TV techniques in your next learning project.

Speaker(s): Ashley Green, Amazon

Get the Shot! Recording Video with the Tools You Have

Session Objectives:

• Know how to frame a subject in a shot to look the most cinematic
• Understand how to light a scene the best with the tool you have available.
• Know how to capture the best audio that you can.
• Understand how and where to use video in trainings.
• Identify the next steps to take in furthering your video capabilities.

Speaker(s): Justin Jensen, BankWest

What Video Learners Really Want: Key Findings on Video Effectiveness

Session Objectives:

• Identify and apply best practices for creating effective instructional videos.
• Define and understand video elements that maintain viewer interest and retention.
• Analyze viewer preference trends and how they may adjust video content and audience engagement.

Speaker(s): Matthew Pierce, TechSmith Corporation

From Chaos to Course: Transforming SME Recordings into Engaging eLearning

Session Objectives:

• A structured process for transforming SME recordings into interactive eLearning content.
• Best practices for chunking, organizing, and designing engaging learning experiences.
• How to simplify technical content while maintaining instructional integrity.
• Techniques to add interactivity, such as quizzes, scenarios, and design elements.
• Strategies for effective collaboration with SMEs to ensure a smooth workflow.

Speaker(s): Pooja Jaisingh, Icertis

Mastering Personal Video Use: Standing Out in a Virtual Space

Session Objectives:

• To leverage personal video effectively to enhance engagement, build credibility, and create a lasting impact in virtual and hybrid classrooms.
• Practical techniques for improving your on-camera presence, including voice modulation, body language, and non-verbal communication strategies.
• To coach subject matter experts and facilitators to maximize their virtual presence and deliver compelling, high-quality video-based instruction.
• To overcome common virtual engagement challenges, such as Zoom fatigue and distractions, by using research-backed video strategies.
• To design and deliver a short, impactful training segment using personal video, with real-time feedback to refine your delivery.
• To integrate video engagement techniques into your training sessions to stimulate intellectual, environmental, and emotional engagement for all learners.

Speaker(s): Karen Vieth, InSync Training; Jennifer Hofmann, InSync Training

Beyond the Swipe: When TikTok Learning Fits the Task (& When It Doesn’t)

Session Objectives:

• When TikTok-Style Learning Works Best
• To Recognize the Limitations of Short-Form Learning
• To Apply Practical Strategies to Balance Engagement and Depth
• To Analyze and Redesign Real-World Learning Solutions
• By co-creating an actionable plan for applying these insights effectively

Speaker(s): Christine Boring, PPG

Powering Collaboration in Video Production with Jira

Session Objectives:

• Jira as the Collaboration Hub: Discover how leveraging Jira unifies diverse teams Instructional Designers, Marketing, Product Management, Customer Support, and Documentation ensuring everyone stays aligned throughout the video creation process.
• Streamlined Workflow: Learn how a Jira-powered process can simplify complex workflows by integrating unique tools and processes from various teams into one cohesive and efficient system.
• Enhanced Visibility and Accountability: Explore how using Jira not only breaks down communication barriers but also fosters transparency, allowing teams to track progress, address challenges promptly, and deliver high-quality videos.

Speaker(s): Doreen Kasson, Sage; Joe Stewart, Sage; Wendy Evans, Sage

Master critical skills and knowledge on core topics from instructional design to Stroyline360.

Agile Project Management

Everyone has project management responsibilities in today’s learning and development teams. Participants will learn a comprehensive agile framework, from project kickoff to completion, to better manage deadlines and improve the quality of instructional design.

Ideal for anyone whose job includes managing processes and workflow, including project managers, designers, developers, and learning program managers.

Speakers:

Storyline360

Transform your content and deliver highly interactive training by unlocking the full potential of Storyline and its features. Discover practical approaches for conditional triggers, variables, creative interactions with dials and sliders, and engaging motion paths to deliver dynamic, next-level learning experiences.

Ideal for both beginners and those seeking to advance their Storyline skills, this program provides practical tips and use-case exercises for immediate application.

Speakers:

Video Mastery

With adults watching over 300 minutes of video daily, L&D professionals are expected to create compelling instructional videos. You’ll be guided through the entire video creation process, from storyboarding to publishing, and gain practical strategies and confidence to produce high-quality videos that enhance your learning programs.

Ideal for instructional designers and L&D professionals looking to elevate their video production skills and follow a proven methodology for impactful learning experiences. To be successful in this program, you should be familiar with video editing techniques and storyboards.

Speakers:

Instructional Design for eLearning

Discover how to transform your approach to course design by shifting from content delivery to performance-centered learning. During this certificate program, you’ll gain strategies and to create engaging, impactful eLearning that helps learners achieve specific, measurable results, ensuring your projects consistently deliver value.

Ideal for anyone who has ever stared at the screen stuck about what to write, how to organize their thoughts, or how to make dry content more interesting.

Speakers:

Workflow Learning: Driving Business Impact

Many organizations struggle to move beyond traditional training methods and effectively integrate learning into the workflow. The challenge? Ensuring employees receive the right support at the right time—without disrupting productivity. Learn how to redesign training, cost-justify workflow learning, and implement sustainable solutions that drive measurable business impact.

Ideal for individuals aware of the 5 Moments of Need framework and interested in business case development for workflow learning and in redesigning existing training for workflow learning. Participants should also be aware of digital coach platforms and other workflow learning tools.

Speakers: