5 Ways to Maximize Your ATD25 Experience

ATD’s International Conference & Exposition is quickly approaching (May 18–21). We are so happy to be back in ATD’s hometown of Washington, DC!

In case you missed it, we just announced organizational behavior expert and bestselling author, Amy C. Edmondson as our mainstage speaker for Tuesday. Find out who will be on the mainstage Monday and Wednesday by checking out the ATD25 speaker page. In addition to the mainstage, we’ll have more than 250 education sessions featuring Nancy Duarte, Matt Beane, Karl Kapp, Britt Andreatta, Bev Kaye, and more. Great content is always a mainstay of ATD conferences. In addition to great speakers and sessions, there are also many other can’t-miss experiences at ATD25.

Visit the EXPO

ATD’s International Conference & EXPO is home to the largest training and talent development expo in the US. Even if you’re not in the market for any new tools or services, it’s well worth your time to walk the EXPO floor—it’s one of the best ways to stay in touch with new trends and developments in the field (and pick up some great swag!). Plan a few trips as with 300 suppliers, it’s hard to see everything in one pass.

New this year: The EXPO opens on Sunday—so plan accordingly!

Focus on Your Career

Conferences are a great opportunity to focus on your professional growth whether you’re looking for a new role, seeking a new opportunity in your current organization, or building your brand. Stop by the ATD Career Center where you’ll have the opportunity to receive one-on-one coaching from an ICF certified coach, give your resume a tune-up in our “Resume Reprogram Roundtable” session, or participate in a number of sessions focused on your development including “Finding Your L&D Niche,” “How to Use AI for Personal Development,” and our “Portfolio Lab.”

Pro Tip: One-on-one coaching is by appointment only. Sign up early as spots fill up fast!

Network!

Spending a few days with other talent development professionals—people who understand your day to day—is always a top reason to attend an ATD conference. This year, we have a great slate of Community Conversations sessions, unstructured, attendee-driven sessions on trending topics. These sessions are a great opportunity for you to connect with your peers and learn what other people are doing in their organizations.

And, it wouldn’t be an ATD International Conference & Exposition without Networking Night. Every year Networking Night is a can’t-miss event. Our conference team always plans memorable and unique experiences you won’t have the opportunity to do anywhere else. This year, Networking Night is at the National Building Museum. This is a separate, ticketed event, and capacity is limited!

Pro tip: Get out of your comfort zone and meet some new people! Chat with other attendees in the hall between sessions or in rooms before the session starts. You can learn as much from other attendees between sessions or out at dinner as your top takeaways will be from the conversations you have with other attendees between sessions.

Relax and Unwind

Conferences can be taxing, both mentally and physically, so it’s important to take a few breaks. ATD25 has a number of areas where you can relax, unwind, and give back. Make sure to stop by ATD at Play, where we’ll have a Robosketch Artist, that will turn your picture into a unique digital sketch. Also, back by popular demand: puppies! Our ATD25 Puppy Park is an experience designed to enhance your well-being and make you smile!

Give back at our TD for Good space. For ATD25, we are proud to be partnering with FosterLove to assemble “sweet cases” for children entering foster care. These thoughtfully designed duffle bags, filled with comforting essentials and personal items, replace the standard trash bags often used for transporting belongings. Together, we can provide children with a sense of dignity, care, and hope as they navigate challenging transitions.

Earn a Certificate

If you’re planning on attending ATD25, check out our slate of more than 25 preconference certificate programs and workshops. We’re offering some of our most popular programs like ATD Master Trainer® and our Instructional Design Certificate, as well as new programs in AI including AI for Instructional Design and AI for Talent Development.

Have questions? Need help? Feel free to reach out. We want to ensure you have an enriching and memorable conference experience. Hope to see you in Washington, DC!