On September 12, Learning and Development professionals from around the region attended this year’s  Learn Conference at Wells Fargo in downtown St. Louis. Registrations sold out in the last week with attendance topping 150 participants eager to learn and network. Nine local companies sent 5 or more participants to qualify for the group discount and multiply their learning. One team member came from as far away as New Mexico.

Team from Save-A-Lot

The day kicked off with a keynote by Fernando Sanchez-Arias reminding us to stay humble and ask for help. Using a fun rope activity, we learned the more we ask, the more ideas we get. Fernando’s message and humor sent participants into their day energized and ready to learn. For the breakout sessions, participants headed to the Connections Center, Wells Fargo impressive training and learning facility, to attend 1 of 4 sessions.

   

 

With Paul Nedeau and Kirsten Johnson of Hussman Corporation, participants raced around a road track to immerse in 7 strategies for interactive learning.

Paul Nedeau, Hussman Corporation

If they visited Colin DeCair, they learned what makes good data when making the training and development case to the C-Suite.

 

Colin DeCair, Busey Band

Between sessions or during lunch, attendees could visit the vendor fair.

 

SumTotal and Skillsoft

DevelopPEOPLE

There were two more opportunities to attend break-out sessions in the afternoon. Samantha Proutry from Alliance Credit Union said that Molly Grisham’s Experiential Learning in the Workplace session was her favorite because it reminded her to be ok with silence when facilitating a group. Some people may need more time to formulate ideas and share them. Samantha also liked how to properly use ice breakers.

Molly Grisham

In another session, attendees learned about a new approach to crafting a leadership competency framework implemented by the National Association of Electrical Distributors. Elizabeth Haberberger, of Dale Carnegie St. Louis, and Dr. Kelly Jones, of NAED, walked the group through identifying competencies and conducting a needs assessment.

Elizabeth Haberberger, Dale Carnegie and Kelly Jones, PhD, NAED

The day concluded with a panel discussion on the future state of learning and development. The large crowd heard ideas and predictions from local leaders in the industry; Andy Armbruster, Bayer, Jim Sokolowski, Edward Jones, and Renie McClay, Caveo Learning. We concluded with a few giveaways. Amy Rolfes from MOHELA was the big winner with an all access pass to 2020 ATD STL local events. This not only includes professional luncheons but also the next Learn Conference.

ATD Board thanks the presenters, vendors, panelists, and volunteers who helped to organize this event. A special thanks to Kathleen Young who led the organizing efforts and coordinated with Wells Fargo.