Imagine stepping into a large convention center to attend ASTD’s International Conference & Exposition for the first time. For some, you are attracted to the content and resources gained from attending one of the industry’s most riveting events. For others, you were encouraged to attend ASTD 2014 by a senior manager or mentor, since you’re starting out in your career. In either case, you’re in unfamiliar territory and you might not know where to begin or who to connect with. We’ve all experienced that feeling of being a little ant in a big world, and being a young professional in the training industry is no exception.

As a twenty-something, you face many challenges. You’re stepping into a new phase of life and you’re getting started in your career. It’s time to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-life situations with real-life consequences. In many cases, this can mean learning about an entirely new organization, position, and way of thinking. Mentors can be a valuable source for advice and guidance. They can provide you with valuable, objective feedback based on their experiences in an ever-changing industry. But there is something to be said for the professional growth gained from collaborating with and learning from your peers.

That’s why ASTD has designed several events for professionals 30 and under attending the ASTD 2014 International Conference & Exposition. We understand the challenges faced when starting out in your career and believe in the value of getting ahead with relevant resources and tools, as well as building collaborative relationships.

Get the most out of our ASTD 2014 experience by connecting with your peers at this year’s conference.

Attendees 30 or younger are invited to:

• Join other young professionals for a night out in the nation’s capital.

• Attend a learning event about the upcoming projects and current events with ASTD Young Professionals.

• Participate in a joint cocktail hour with ASTD Students.

We hope you will join us for one or all of these events to meet other training professionals just like you!

Learn more about ASTD Young Professionals.