ATD Blog

A Worldwide Whirlwind

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Attendees from across the globe join together at ATD25.

Thu May 22 2025

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At ATD25, the Association for Talent Development continued its efforts to welcome attendees from all around the world with the Global Village, open to anyone interested in global exchange throughout the conference. The Global Village also hosted an International Luncheon.

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Read what a few international travelers had to say about the conference.

Igor Cozzo

CEO, ABTD (Brazilian Association of Training and Development)

São Paulo, Brazil

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Have you been to the conference before?

Have you been to the conference before?

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This will be my 22nd ATD conference. I’ve been attending since 2003. And since 2007, I’ve been leading the Brazilian delegation.

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Every year, it’s an invaluable opportunity to connect with global partners, stay ahead of the latest trends, and discover new tools to enhance organizational performance. The ATD conference is a benchmark event for anyone in the L&D field.

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What were you most looking forward to?

What were you most looking forward to?

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I’m looking forward to reconnecting with international partners, gaining insights from relevant sessions on L&D trends, and exploring the EXPO to discover innovative solutions and technologies that can drive learning experiences.

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How will the conference affect your work?

How will the conference affect your work?

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Attending ATD25 will enable me to bring fresh perspectives and cutting-edge knowledge back to Brazil, which directly enhances the work we do at ABTD. The insights and connections will help us to better support our community, inspire new initiatives, and ensure that we align with global best practices in L&D. It’s also an opportunity to identify potential collaborations and new solutions for the Brazilian market.

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What experiences do you expect as an international attendee?

What experiences do you expect as an international attendee?

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The Global Village is a perfect spot to recharge between sessions, network with fellow international attendees, and share experiences. It’s a welcoming space where meaningful connections are made beyond formal meetings.

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The international activities are always enriching, offering diverse perspectives on common challenges in the L&D field. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn from different cultures, exchange best practices, and build relationships that extend beyond the event itself.

Daniel Dunkhase

Owner, Dunkhase Leadership Consulting

Berlin, Germany

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What brought you back to the conference?

What brought you back to the conference?

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My first ATD conference was back in 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Since then, I have been coming back on a regular basis to refresh knowledge, calibrate with the global L&D community, and experience excellent keynotes.

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What were you most looking forward to at the conference?

What were you most looking forward to at the conference?

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Amy Edmondson’s and Seth Godin’s keynotes and all workshops related to how artificial intelligence will affect future leadership. Last, but not least, to reconnect in the Global Village with colleagues and fellow delegation leaders as well as ATD staff.

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How will the conference affect the work you do?

How will the conference affect the work you do?

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It’s helping me stay ahead and deliver the best solutions to my clients.

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What do you expect from the Global Village?

What do you expect from the Global Village?

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It’s a great meeting point and place [to] share news with ATD staff and other delegations.

Moe Poirier

Founding Partner, Shift Facilitation

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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What brought you back to the conference?

What brought you back to the conference?

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I’ve been attending and speaking at the conference since 2022 in Orlando, Florida. In 2023, in preparation for San Diego, California, I got involved as a member of the Program Advisory Committee for the conference and have served as a volunteer in that role for the last three years.

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What were you most looking forward to at the conference?

What were you most looking forward to at the conference?

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The ATD Conference is like the Olympics of L&D for me. I get to meet the best and brightest in our industry from around the world.

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How will the conference affect the work you do?

How will the conference affect the work you do?

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Learning about the innovative advances being made in TD, with a particular focus on facilitation skills and training delivery, is our core area of expertise at Shift.

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What do you expect from the Global Village?

What do you expect from the Global Village?

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I met with colleagues from around the world and with friends I’ve met at the ATD International Conference & EXPO and the ATD SEA Summit in 2024.

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I also want to attend the International Luncheon and the global recognition ceremony. We planned social meetups for Canadians at this year’s conference.

Claire Lee

Founder and Senior Consultant, Qingyu Insight Consulting Limited Company

Taipei City

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Why did you choose to attend the conference?

Why did you choose to attend the conference?

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I keep coming back to the ATD conference because, every time, I get to learn about the latest trends in TD and gain valuable insights from experts in the field.

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What were you most looking forward to at the conference?

What were you most looking forward to at the conference?

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The keynote speeches and super sessions consistently offer forward-thinking insights and practical inspiration that I can apply to my work.

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How will the conference affect the work you do?

How will the conference affect the work you do?

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Participating in this event enables me to stay connected with global trends and best practices in TD. It ensures that the solutions and advice I provide to my clients are not only relevant to their needs but also align with international standards.

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What do you expect from the Global Village?

What do you expect from the Global Village?

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It offers more than just a resting area during the conference; it provides a unique opportunity to engage with attendees from around the world and exchange ideas across cultures.

Jason Durkee

Owner and President, Idea Development

Tokyo, Japan

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How long have you been coming to the conference?

How long have you been coming to the conference?

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I’ve been attending regularly since the 1990s. Every year, I come to get the pulse of global L&D.

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What were you most looking forward to?

What were you most looking forward to?

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The EXPO for new technology, sessions for good examples of best practices in action, and new ideas.

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How will the conference affect the work you do?

How will the conference affect the work you do?

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I will write several articles about global L&D trends based on what I see at the conference, and I will host several events summarizing global L&D trends and best practices for L&D folks in Japan.

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What do you expect from the Global Village?

What do you expect from the Global Village?

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We have a Japan delegation meeting every day at the Global Village. I never go to the speaker’s room or ice cream break, but I absolutely need the Global Village.

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What experiences do you expect as an international attendee?

What experiences do you expect as an international attendee?

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ATD’s annual conference is a chance to see how many other people practice L&D and get charged by their excitement. Also, there’s something for everyone if they’re dedicated enough to find it.