What We Learned at ATD’s ICE 2016

Every annual conference entails lots of anticipation, preparation, and, simply, running around.  Presenters submit proposals to share their work with colleagues many months before the event hoping to be part of the final program.  As time goes by, checking for that critical e-mail about the status of the submission becomes a daily ritual.  When the e-mail arrives saying that the proposal was accepted, another frantic cycle of activity begins to prepare the presentation, send documents, order giveaways, plan your attire, and meet deadlines.  After all, attendees deserve your best work.  If the proposal is not accepted, then you sit back and begin to think about another topic for the following year.  Either way, you are totally committed to getting the most out of your time at the conference.  Every minute counts!
Meanwhile, logistics must be addressed.  When to register?  Where to stay?  How to get there?  Will the airline take points for this trip?  Would the family enjoy a visit to the host city?
When the program is final, you begin to select which sessions to attend; the new app lets you plan your schedule from anywhere at any time. What’s your main learning goal? Do you want to go deeper into your areas of expertise or explore new interests? Do you want to see well-known speakers or newcomers? Do you need any particular products or books to start or grow your business? Who will be there? Who do you want to meet? Who do you need to meet?
You arrive at the conference full of excitement. Perhaps you met some other attendees while on travel or at the badge pick up line. You discuss your plans. You meet a group for dinner to continue building connections. You use the conference’s back channels to stay up to date on what happens and share your thoughts.
In three days, before you even know it, WHOOSH! It’s over!
Now it’s time to look back and focus on what really matters: what you learned while attending the conference.
Today we share with you our top takeaways from this year’s ATD ICE 2016.

• We are an ageless workforce: look beyond generations and labels
• Succession planning is STILL a scary movie
• Employee engagement remains a hot topic
• Blended learning allows you to reach larger audiences
• The importance of using the “RIGHT” assessment tool for the client’s needs cannot be underestimated
• Storytelling is here to stay
• Participants expect trainings to be shorter, and shorter, and shorter
• Graphics, illustrations, and pictures are powerful to deliver your message
• Brand: “ME” for career development
• Leadership, leadership, leadership

At the end, as Learning and Development professionals, we are responsible for our own learning to mature, to create, and to bring the best of us to our organizations regardless of our role.
Make sure that your knowledge is current. Share it. Become the change agent, the promoter of employee engagement, and the thought leader that the business needs.

See you in Atlanta for ATD’s ICE 2017!