Recommended Conference Journeys

Who Are You at TK25?

Are you the tech-savvy trailblazer, the AI adventurer, or the community builder? Maybe you’re the future-focused strategist or the accessibility champion!

We've created 5 attendee personas to help demonstrate how these attendees will plan their time at TK25 to find solutions to the challenges they are here to conquer.

Challenge 1: Future Focus Your Organization alongside Erika

We all know the future is moving fast, especially with technology and AI reshaping the way we work. At TK25, you’ll get practical tips from leaders who are tackling these changes head-on. You’ll learn how to build adaptable teams, upskill your people, and keep your organization ahead of the curve in a tech-driven world. Meet Erika, our TK25 attendee working to conquer this challenge. Let’s figure out how to focus on the future together.

Have you met Erika?

Erika Erika is a coordinator for a training department and she's worried about her career and the careers of her whole team. During team meetings, she observes frustration from other departments when they learn about development timelines. The department's sluggish response to business shifts, combined with increased costs and job cuts, create a perception of underperformance. This makes it difficult to obtain funding for essential tools and development.

Erika wants to help future focus her department. She has two goals:

Find compelling, cost-effective ways to stay current with technology trends and tools.
Find ways to show that NOT having the department there is more expensive.

How can Erika reach her goals?

Create processes for a team to stay agile.
Look at the evolving nature of learning and development and learn more effective ways to get knowledge to learners quickly.
Create a list of sources for the latest research and trends in L&D.

What sessions should Erika attend?

Wednesday, February 12
8:30–9:30 a.m.	Kick Off TK25 with the Rockstar Panel – Where Learning Legends Take the Stage! Brandon Carson, Josh Cavalier, Sarah Mercier, Hadiya Nuruddin, and Megan Torrence
11 a.m.–12 p.m.	TK Deep: Create a Culture of Continuous Learning and Innovation Lorne Novolker, Ann Parker, and Brian Wallace
2–3 p.m.	TK Deep: Building Talent Sustainability in the Age Brandon Carson
4–5:30 p.m.	ThinkTanK: Future Focus Your Organization

Thursday, February 13
8:30–9:30 a.m.	TK Smart: Tackle Your Technology To-Do List (in 10 Minutes or Less!) Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.	TK Leaders Solve Jonathan Yeo
1:30–2:30 p.m.	TK Action
3:30–5 p.m.	TK Advance Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.

Challenge 2: Integrating Accessibility and Technology into Existing Programs alongside Imani

Every L&D practitioner can agree that learning should be approachable to everyone; accessibility isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must. From choosing a technology and building a design, to testing with assistive technology and launching an experience, there's a lot to understand. In this think tank, you'll dive into real examples of how to use diverse technologies to create inclusive, accessible experiences. By the end, you'll understand how to use technology to create content that benefits everyone. Meet Imani, our TK25 attendee working to conquer this challenge.

Have you met Imani?

Meet Imani Imani, a developer in a learning department, is exploring accessibility in educational materials. She's mentioned her new knowledge once or twice at steering meetings, but leadership isn't very receptive. Their opinions on accessibility are: A) We don't currently have any employees with hearing or visual impairments, so it's not really a priority, B) There's no need to add to development time if it's not needed by anyone, and C) There's no need to sacrifice good, appealing design for accessibility no one will use.

Imani thinks there might be more to discuss. She has two goals:

Convince leadership to invest time in creating accessible experiences.
Create beautiful, accessible content that caters to a more diverse group of learners.

How can Imani reach her goals?

Learn about what well-designed accessibility looks and sounds like.
Learn about types of impairments or disabilities that might be invisible or unreported.
Learn how to make a business case for accessibility.

What sessions should Imani attend?

Wednesday, February 12

8:30–9:30 a.m.	Kick Off TK25 with the Rockstar Panel – Where Learning Legends Take the Stage! Brandon Carson, Josh Cavalier, Sarah Mercier, Hadiya Nuruddin, and Megan Torrence
11 a.m.–12 p.m. & 2–3 p.m.	TK Deep: Innovative Learning Design: Where Technology, Creativity, and Accessibility Converge Sarah Mercier & Judy Katz
4–5:30 p.m.	ThinkTanK: Integrating Accessibility and Technology into Existing Programs

Thursday, February 13

8:30–9:30 a.m.	TK Smart: Tackle Your Technology To-Do List (in 10 Minutes or Less!) Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.	TK Solve: Shifting Left: Integrating Accessibility and Technology into Existing Programs Haley Shust, Diane Elkins, and Gwen Navarette Klapperich
1:30–2:30 p.m.	TK Action
3:30–5 p.m.	TK Advance Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.

Challenge 3: Tech Implementation and Adoption alongside Hugo

Tech only works if people use it, right? In these sessions, you’ll hear about proven strategies for getting your team on board with new tech. Whether it’s overcoming resistance, building a solid business case, or ensuring seamless implementation, we’ll cover what really works in day-to-day settings. Learn from peers who’ve been there and come away with a plan you can put into action. Meet Hugo, our TK25 attendee working to conquer this challenge.

Have you met Hugo?

Meet Hugo Hugo is the head of an IT learning and development department, and he wants his company to stay ahead of the curve in adopting new toolsets. His senior leaders are not tech savvy though and he's had a difficult time getting them on board with purchasing new technology and tech services. He's built a few workaround processes with tools they already have to save money. Additionally, end users are hesitant to adopt anything more efficient since it's not something they're used to. He's heard a couple of offhand jokes from some field employees along the lines of, "You'll just sit back and let AI do that, right?"

Hugo is desperate to create a top-notch technology ecosystem. He has two goals:

Create a solid business case for some of his technology toolsets, showing how an investment now will have larger savings in the future.
Create a seamless integration with end users.

How can Hugo reach his goals?

Learn to evaluate a vendor by cost, various benefits, and applicable use cases.

Learn how to upskill the workforce in the new tool, and the process of adoption.

Think proactively about end user pain points and plan for them.

What sessions should Hugo attend?

Wednesday, February 12

8:30–9:30 a.m.	Kick Off TK25 with the Rockstar Panel – Where Learning Legends Take the Stage! Brandon Carson, Josh Cavalier, Sarah Mercier, Hadiya Nuruddin, and Megan Torrence
11 a.m.–12 p.m. & 2–3 p.m.	TK Deep: Drive Your Tech Strategy, Don’t Let It Drive You Chad Udell & Destery Hildenbrand
4–5:30 p.m.	ThinkTanK: Tech Implementation and Adoption

Thursday, February 13

8:30–9 :30 a.m.	TK Smart: Tackle Your Technology To-Do List (in 10 Minutes or Less!) Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.	TK Solve: From Ideation to Evaluation, Making Technology Work For You Yasmine Gueterriez, Alaina Szlachtka, and Megan Torrance
1:30–2:30 p.m.	TK Action
3:30–5 p.m.	TK Advance Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.

Challenge 4: Real Use Cases for AI alongside Quinn

Feeling overwhelmed by the AI hype? We get it. But AI is already transforming how we do L&D. In these sessions, you'll discover how your peers use AI to solve real challenges, like creating engaging onboarding programs and measuring learning impact. Discover how AI can help you free up your time for strategic initiatives, develop more effective learning experiences, and demonstrate the impact of your programs. Leave with practical strategies and tools you can implement immediately to save time and increase learner engagement. Whether you're an AI novice or already experimenting with AI tools, these sessions will provide valuable insights and practical guidance. Meet Quinn, our TK25 attendee working to conquer this challenge.

Have you met Quinn?

Meet Quinn Quinn is a learning manager who knows AI is important to the growth of their department, but they're not sure how yet. Their team has generated only basic content from ChatGPT. They heard someone in business development mention they used it to develop a statement of work to send to a potential client. Although this concerned Quinn, they didn’t mention it to management. Quinn's COO is excited about AI and wants to invest in it, but Quinn hasn't been able to get clear direction from him on how he wants to use it. In addition, Quinn hasn't seen a single vendor in over a year that didn't use AI as part of their product.

Quinn needs some direction. They have two goals:

Learn some practical use cases for AI for an L&D department.
Help senior leaders develop some AI goals and a clear strategy.

How can Quinn reach their goals?

Look at how LLMs are built and what they do.

Learn tasks that can be delegated to an AI tool.

Learn how to form a right-sized strategy for the organization.

What sessions should Quinn attend?

Wednesday, February 12

8:30–9:30 a.m.	Kick Off TK25 with the Rockstar Panel – Where Learning Legends Take the Stage! Brandon Carson, Josh Cavalier, Sarah Mercier, Hadiya Nuruddin, and Megan Torrence
11 a.m.–12 p.m. & 2–3 p.m.	TK Deep: AI at the Forefront: Next-Level Strategies & Implementation Myra Roldan & Markus Bernhardt
4–5:30 p.m.	ThinkTanK: Real Use Cases for AI

Thursday, February 13

8:30–9 :30 a.m.	TK Smart: Tackle Your Technology To-Do List (in 10 Minutes or Less!) Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.	TK Solve: AI for L&D: Beyond the Hype, Real Results Josh Cavalier, Joe Leslie, and Michelle Lentz
1:30–2:30 p.m.	TK Action
3:30–5 p.m.	TK Advance Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.

Challenge 5: Fostering Engagement and Community Across Learning Programs alongside Joe

Keeping learners engaged is a constant challenge, but it’s also the secret to success. Let’s talk about how to build strong communities, whether your programs are digital, asynchronous, or hybrid. We’ll look at gamification, social learning, and creative ways to keep learners motivated and connected. The goal is to create an environment where people want to participate and keep coming back for more. Meet Joe, our TK25 attendee working to conquer this challenge.

Have you met Joe?

Meet Joe Joe is a trainer/specialist at a company that is trying a new toolset that creates a space for learners to connect with each other. Unfortunately, this type of initiative has had a history of failure. New, digital toolsets often meet with lukewarm reception, and adoption is slow, with only a few superusers and HR/IT employees really championing their use. Joe wants to make sure that doesn't happen this time. He wants to create an ecosystem that is truly transformative. But the odds are stacked against him. End users tend to be jaded and see this as yet another fad.

What can Joe do differently this time to not only boost engagement, but get more people curious and connected to it? Joe has two goals:

Get people not just accepting of the toolset, but curious about it.
Get learners connected with each other.

How can Joe reach his goals?

Make content on the toolset easy to access, such as microlearning or short form video content. 
Evaluate effort versus output on content creation. For example, does he need the sweeping, 3D titles and impeccable green screen background? Is that providing a return on engagement?
Create a persona that weaves into the content.
Connect learners to each other by being invested in the characters and content. 
Create engagement with gamified concepts.

What sessions should Joe attend?

Wednesday, February 12

8:30–9:30 a.m.	Kick Off TK25 with the Rockstar Panel – Where Learning Legends Take the Stage! Brandon Carson, Josh Cavalier, Sarah Mercier, Hadiya Nuruddin, and Megan Torrence
11 a.m.–12 p.m. & 2–3 p.m.	TK Deep: Tech-Supported Storytelling: Engage, Connect, and Inspire Hadiya Nuruddin & Stephanie Hubka
4–5:30 p.m.	ThinkTanK: Fostering Engagement and Community Across Learning Programs

Thursday, February 13

8:30–9:30 a.m.	TK Smart: Tackle Your Technology To-Do List (in 10 Minutes or Less!) Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.	TK Solve: Engagement: All You Need to Know (Number 3 is SHOCKING!) Abbey Cooke, Kassy LaBorie, and Matt Pierce
1:30–2:30 p.m.	TK Action
3:30–5 p.m.	TK Advance Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.