One of the joys of being in the leadership training business is belonging to a wonderful community of people and organizations dedicated to helping others achieve their full potential by improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities at work. A great place to network with this community is at the annual conference of the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

If you are interested in learning more about ATD, think about joining a local chapter, and be sure to attend the conference in 2025. We’ll see you there!

When I first began attending the conference it was a much smaller affair, with maybe a few dozen participants who were all from the United States. Back in those days it was called the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). They had to change the name as the organization grew and gained international members. Today the conference attracts exhibitors from more than 120 countries around the world and features celebrity keynoters, like this year’s Matthew McConaughey and Venus Williams.

The conference welcomes talent development managers, trainers, instructional designers, performance consultants, frontline managers, and workplace learning professionals from organizations of all sizes and industry sectors—and it’s a blast!

This year about 30 of my Blanchard colleagues and I attended the ATD conference in the fun city of New Orleans, Louisiana. My son, Scott, and I gave a talk based on content for our forthcoming book, It’s Always the Leader. As part of the presentation, Scott dug up forty-year-old videos of me from the 1980s, when I first began talking about timeless principles like Catching People Doing Things Right and Praising Progress, Not Perfection. The audience got a big kick out those vintage videos from the days when I had hair! We were deeply touched when everyone gave us a standing ovation.   

Another fun aspect of the conference was sitting with my coauthor, Randy Conley, and signing copies of The Simple Truths of Leadership and The Simple Truths of Leadership Playbook. We autographed about 150 copies each day, and were delighted to talk briefly with each person who bought a book.                                                

The people we talked with shared our enthusiasm for the conference. We all agreed that ATD is a fantastic place to meet new friends, reconnect with old collegues, and stay abreast of changes in our industry. Whether you’re listening to a keynoter, attending an informative panel discussion, or simply walking around the conference floor to see all the innovations and resources that are available to learning professionals, attending the conference is time well spent.

The Power of Connection

Being at the conference reminded me about the importance of connection and community. No matter what field you are in, you will benefit by tapping into the wider community of practitioners in your profession.

If you’re not already a member, think about joining a membership organization in your industry. Membership organizations are terrific places to meet potential clients, partners, mentors, and industry peers. These connections often lead to new business opportunities and collaborations.

Also consider attending a business conference in your field, like ATD. This is where you can spot trends and keep up-to-date with the latest developments in your profession. Seeing the products, services, and technologies showcased by vendors and exhibitors can help you brainstorm new ideas and solutions for your own business. If you have the budget for it, consider becoming an exhibitor. It’s a great way to increase your company’s visibility.

I always come home from ATD filled with renewed energy and enthusiasm for our work. It’s inspiring to know that we belong to a community that is contributing to the greater good by developing people’s potential.