By Aviel Selkovits
All my bags are packed and I’m ready to go…yes, I’ve somehow fit two separate song lyrics into this blog, and I’m not even past the first sentence. What can I say, it’s a gift.
Well I’m heading off to Orlando, Florida this weekend to attend the #ASTD2011 International Conference & Expo and I couldn’t be more excited. Our industry and our profession as trainers has been going through incredible change. I’m excited to see the sessions, and walk the Expo Hall to learn what others in our industry are touting this year. So given what I’ve read in the conference program, and what I’ve been following on Twitter and the super-cool ASTD ICE app, here are the 3 things that I’m wishing and hoping I will experience, learn, or take-away from the conference:
1. The latest and greatest in the world of social media and informal learning. Every RSS feed, blog, magazine (or e-zine), and newsletter I subscribe to seems to have an article about how organizations are using (or should use) social media to extend learning beyond the classroom, and create a continuous learning environment. (I’ve even written one for ASTD’s Learning Circuits e-zine). So I’m hoping to hear some intriguing case studies of practitioners making use of all the great social networking / web 2.0 tools that are available to us as training and development professionals.
I see so much promise in this area, and I know there are some great case studies out there. I’ve “fav’d” those sessions on my ASTD app. And don’t forget to tune into the #ASTD2011 TweetUp Monday evening where you can read all about what’s been happening at the conference in 140 characters or less.
2. Measurement and ROI. It’s not surprising that there is a track devoted to this critical subject matter. Not only are we going to be treated to the final public presentation by the legendary Don Kirkpatrick, but there are number of other sessions to attend on the importance of measuring training initiatives. More and more, I hear from our clients and others in our profession about how important it is to measure, but how difficult it can be to implement.
I have a couple sessions bookmarked to attend and will look forward to hearing some case studies for how organizations are measuring the impact of their learning and development.
3. Last but certainly not least – networking! Not all social networking has to be conducted online. Once upon a time live interpersonal communications were deemed ‘highly effective.’ I’m excited to return to yesteryear and spend time talking to other trainers, learning and development, HR, OD and Talent Management professionals. I want to know what others are focusing on, where they are struggling, and where they’ve made great strides.
I also love the ability to meet so many of DDI-certified facilitators – my favorite moments are when attendees walk up to the booth just to say hi and “I was certified back in 1983…” But I invite everyone at the show to stop by DDI’s booth (#1602) to say hi, let us know what you are up to, what you are up against, and what you’re most excited about at the conference.
Are you headed to the conference? What are you most excited about seeing, learning or experiencing? Leave your comments here, or hit me up on twitter @DDIworld #ASTD2011.
Aviel Selkovits is a senior consultant with Development Dimensions International.
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