The ATD team is working hard to prepare for the upcoming ATD 2021 International Conference & Exposition, which will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, August 29–September 1. We are excited to gather in person with our global community, and I hope you’ll join us!

We are planning to welcome thousands of people to Salt Lake City and thousands more online and at regional events in the US and around the world as part of our hybrid event. I’m grateful to see companies like Abbott, Gannett, Google, Nelnet, Sonoco, Toyota Motor, and USPS already planning to attend. From conversations I’ve had with many leaders in the last few months, I know there is a real eagerness to connect and collaborate at the event.

ATD21 is the gathering place for the talent development community to become inspired and make meaningful connections.

We’re doing everything possible to offer a comfortable and memorable event experience. We are confident in the health protocols in place at the Salt Palace Convention Center. In addition, we are implementing our own protocols, including room sanitization, a reimagined Networking Night, and more.

I share all this with you because I think it is more important than ever for our community to come together this year. Research has shown that the L&D function was and continues to be a key strategic partner in most organizations as they navigated the pandemic and its impact on business and the workforce. Talent development practitioners like you are positioned to leverage that influence, and you need new and different tools and resources to do it. You’ll find inspiration, thought leadership, a world-class EXPO, and the incomparable networking that only happens at an ATD event. Please join us, make those valuable connections, and be part of the solutions that need to be created.

You are so important to our community, and we are doing everything possible to ensure the ATD21 experience will be exceptional. Whether you join us in person in Salt Lake City, in person at a smaller regional event, or online from home, make the investment in your own growth and attend. You will experience a world-class event with the best people—our talent development community.

I look forward to seeing you at ATD21. Thank you for all you do to help create a world that works better.