New to ALC or looking for a refresher? Join the ALC PAC for an overview of what to expect at the conference, including networking opportunities and tips to make the most of your experience. This session will help you navigate ALC with confidence!

Mingle with fellow attendees over heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. This is the perfect chance to make new connections, reconnect with colleagues, and set the stage for a fantastic conference experience.

Start your day with fresh air and meaningful connections! Join NAC Chair, Adam White, and fellow attendees for an easy morning stroll. This casual networking walk is perfect for early risers looking to engage in great conversations while getting energized for the day ahead. Walkers will depart promptly at 6:10 a.m. and return by 7:00 a.m. In the event if rain, the Netwalk will be cancelled.

Kick off ALC with a warm welcome and a delicious breakfast! Connect with fellow attendees over coffee and a meal as we set the stage for an engaging and inspiring conference. This is the perfect opportunity to meet new faces, catch up with colleagues, and get energized for the sessions ahead.

Planning a successful chapter conference is no easy feat—it demands managing countless details, coordinating with diverse stakeholders, recruiting dedicated volunteers, and addressing unexpected challenges. This session embraces the complexities of conference planning and provides practical solutions to simplify the process. Alongside essentials like budgeting, sponsor and speaker recruitment, timeline management, and attendee engagement, we'll dive into outside-the-box strategies to take your events to the next level. Whether your chapter is a seasoned host or preparing for its first conference, you'll leave with fresh ideas and actionable tools to create a memorable, impactful event. Hosting a conference shouldn't feel like a headache—it should be a rewarding opportunity to inspire and connect.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• Streamlined Planning Process: Practical tools and techniques to simplify and organize the complex aspects of conference planning.
• Innovative Strategies: Outside-the-box ideas to make your event stand out and provide a unique experience for attendees.
• Volunteer Management: Effective approaches to recruit, motivate, and coordinate volunteers for a successful event.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Strategies to engage and align sponsors, speakers, and partners for seamless coordination.
• Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Tips for creating and managing budgets while maximizing available resources.
• Marketing Tools and Strategies: Insight into using modern marketing tools, including social media, email campaigns, and digital platforms, to promote your conference and boost attendance.
• Actionable Tools: Ready-to-use templates, checklists, and resources to apply immediately to your conference planning efforts.
• Confidence to Execute: Renewed confidence to lead and deliver a successful, impactful chapter conference.

Presenter: Jeffery Alejandro, Greater Atlanta Chapter

Chapter leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. Just like marathon training, it requires a clear “ABC goal” framework: A for achieving the ideal vision, B for delivering a strong performance despite obstacles, and C for accomplishing the essentials under any circumstances.

As President-Elect and President of ATD Greater Boston, Matt Ames applied this framework to ambitious goals in recruitment and programming, enabling the board to deliver meaningful results.

In this session, Matt, a two-time Boston Marathon charity runner, will share how the ABC Framework can empower chapter leaders to set layered goals, adapt to challenges, and build resilience within their teams. Attendees will leave with practical tools to guide their chapters forward, no matter the circumstances.

Tools & Take-Aways:
Participants in this session will leave with practical tools and actionable insights to enhance their leadership approach. These include:

1. The ABC Goal-Setting Framework: A customizable framework for setting layered goals—A (ideal), B (realistic), and C (minimum)—that ensures progress and success regardless of challenges. Participants will receive a handout with instructions and examples, adaptable to their chapter's unique needs.
2. Mid-Year Adjustment Strategies: Techniques for reevaluating and recalibrating goals mid-programming year to address unforeseen challenges, such as disengaged volunteers or limited resources, while keeping the chapter moving forward.
3. Peer-Generated Solutions: Through interactive activities, participants will collaborate and share strategies for overcoming leadership challenges, building a collective knowledge base to take back to their chapters.

Value of the Presentation:
This session offers value by equipping chapter leaders with tools to manage the inevitable ups and downs of volunteer leadership. Here's why this presentation is critical:

1. Practical Frameworks for Real-World Challenges: The ABC goal-setting approach is not just theoretical; it's a proven, adaptable method that helps leaders prioritize, adjust, and celebrate success, even in unpredictable circumstances.
2. Resilience Building for Sustained Leadership: Leadership in a volunteer context often comes with unique challenges. This session empowers leaders to foster resilience, adapt mid-course, and maintain momentum, ensuring their chapters continue to thrive.
3. Interactive and Engaging: The session blends personal storytelling, collaborative activities, and real-world scenarios to create an engaging and memorable learning experience. Leaders will walk away not only with new tools but also inspired by shared experiences.
4. Relevance to Chapter Success: By focusing on actionable strategies and fostering a growth mindset, this presentation directly addresses key challenges chapter leaders face, such as volunteer engagement, program sustainability, and personal leadership satisfaction.

This session is designed to leave attendees inspired, better equipped to lead, and confident in their ability to navigate challenges while driving chapter success.

Presenter: Matthew Ames, Greater Boston Chapter

What happens when the board leader role you signed up for, surprises you with unexpected challenges? Well, that's inevitable! The question is, how do you show up as a leader during those times?

During this 60-minute session, "Leadership Resilience: Navigating what's not in the job description " current and future leaders will into step into real-life, complex, challenges that past leaders have experienced while leading their chapters.

With the support of 2 frameworks, and learners will dissect real life case studies that called for leader resilience, and discuss how to apply them in relation to their personal leadership strengths and opportunities.

Collected from past ATD presidents and board leaders, these real-life case studies include:

• Navigating board member resignations/lack of engagement
• Relaying the message to a community that a board member has passed away
• Having to mediate ongoing friction between two board members

Here's what you can expect:

• You'll be able to dive into challenging scenarios that other chapter presidents have actually experienced, to understand times where leadership resilience was needed, beyond the job description.
• You'll be introduced to leadership resilience behaviors and frameworks and apply them to the case studies though peer discussion
• You'll be able to reflect on your personal leadership style and leader resilience to identify areas of strengths and opportunities

Join Callan from the ATD NYC chapter to explore your leadership style during challenging situations, and discuss the power of leadership resilience. See you there!

Tools & Take-Aways:
This session will provide value to attendees as it equips chapter leaders to face inevitable challenging situations from all angles. This session provides the learners frameworks and guiding behaviors for continual improvement of leadership actions and resilience.
After experiencing this session learners will take away the following:

• Frameworks and models to apply when overcoming challenges as a chapter leader
• Deeper understanding of personal strengths and opportunities in regards to leadership resilience
• Co-created solutions, support mechanisms, and strategies to overcome these situations with other chapter leaders

Models/ Frameworks/ Behaviors:

1. Resilience Behaviors
2. Above the line / below the line


Presenter: Callan Swaim, New York City Chapter

Unleash the power of Canva to elevate your chapter's marketing, communications, and branding efforts! This interactive session will guide you through Canva's essential and advanced tools, empowering you to create visually compelling graphics that align with ATD's branding guidelines. Participants will learn how to analyze current marketing strategies, implement time-saving templates, and streamline collaboration within chapter leadership. By the end of the session, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to enhance your chapter's professional image, improve productivity, and increase member engagement through design for social media channels. Whether you're a Canva novice or a seasoned user, this session will equip you with the skills to bring your chapter's visual storytelling to life.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• Customizable Canva Templates: Pre-designed templates for chapter marketing materials, including event flyers, social media posts, and newsletters, to jumpstart their design process.
• A Canva Toolkit: Best practices for using Canva's basic and advanced features to create compelling graphics for social media engagement
• Branding Alignment Guide: A step-by-step guide to incorporating ATD's branding guidelines, ensuring professional and cohesive visuals.

This session provides practical, actionable tools that chapter leaders can use immediately to elevate their marketing and branding efforts. Canva's user-friendly interface ensures accessibility for all skill levels, while the session's focus on strategy and collaboration promotes long-term value. By enhancing visual communication, participants can drive greater engagement, save time with efficient time-saving strategies, and maintain a polished, professional image for their chapters. These takeaways will empower chapter leaders to create impactful designs that resonate with their audiences and support ATD's mission.

Presenters: Keith Kuckenbrod and Kyra Miller, Pittsburgh Chapter

Many chapters want to incorporate more IDEAs into their chapter operations but aren't sure where to start. This session will empower chapters to advance their IDEAs initiatives within their chapters by providing actionable strategies and insights. Attendees will explore the critical importance of avoiding unintentional exclusion of both prospective and current members, fostering a more welcoming and inclusive environment. ATD has resources to help though it can often be daunting to apply these resources successfully. This is where the IDEAs playbook, a key takeaway, comes into play. The IDEAs playbook is designed to provide tailored pathways for different experience levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—ensuring everyone leaves with clear next steps to make a meaningful impact.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• IDEAs playbook
• Use-cases of leveraging IDEAs
• Actionable strategy tailored for your chapter to implement

Presenters:

• Juliet Hart, Mid New Jersey Chapter
• Rosemary Okoiti, New York City Chapter
• Gwen Navarrete Klapperich, Hawaii Chapter
• Jenn Buckley, Florida Suncoast Chapter

Learn how to create a learning series that can increase membership, boost profits, and attract sponsors. This session will show you how to design programs that meet the needs of specific groups, such as transitioning professionals or educators, while being flexible enough to adapt for any audience. You’ll explore ways to use smart pricing, strong marketing, and expert speakers to increase attendance and generate revenue. Learn how to build partnerships and sponsorships that benefit both your chapter and your participants. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear plan for launching your own learning series, tips to measure its success, and ideas to keep members engaged for the long term. This session is perfect for chapters of any size looking to grow and thrive.

Tools & Take-Aways:
Learning Series Planning Guide
This guide provides a clear roadmap that attendees can follow to replicate our model without reinventing the wheel.

• A step-by-step checklist for designing and implementing a learning series.
• Key milestones for planning, scheduling, speaker recruitment, and promotion.
• Editable templates for the timeline, including sections for speaker outreach, marketing launches, sponsorship milestones, and event wrap-up.
• Best Practices: recommendations for pacing events (e.g., weekly vs. biweekly) to maintain momentum and attendance.

Social Media Marketing Toolkit
Chapters will have a ready-to-use framework for creating buzz and increasing visibility for their series.

• A calendar template for planning posts around events.
• Sample social media captions and graphics (editable copies).
• Tips for maximizing engagement on platforms like LinkedIn

Speaker and Partner Outreach Templates
Attendees will save time and gain confidence when reaching out to potential collaborators and sponsors.

• Email templates for inviting speakers and soliciting sponsorships.
• Sample scripts for pitching partnerships to local organizations.
• A template for creating a sponsorship proposal document.

Presenters: Zohra Samji-Bell and Matt Phillips, Fort Worth/Mid-Cities Chapter

Each networking Think Tank session will be co-facilitated by a PAC and CRC member, providing board members with a collaborative space to connect with peers who share similar leadership responsibilities. These sessions offer an open forum to discuss both successes and challenges within their roles.

Rather than a structured presentation, facilitators will guide the conversation, ensuring a dynamic, participant-driven dialogue. Attendees will exchange ideas, explore solutions, and develop strategies to overcome role-specific challenges in an interactive and free-flowing format.

Session Objectives
Participants will:

• Share experiences, challenges, and successes in their board roles.
• Discuss priorities and focus areas for the next 6–12 months and how they were determined.
• Brainstorm solutions to common challenges.
• Exchange valuable resources, including ATD tools and external best practices.
• Expand their network by engaging with fellow chapter leaders from across the country.
• Capture key takeaways and insights on their designated Padlet pages.
• Join the conversation, gain fresh perspectives, and strengthen your leadership approach in a supportive and collaborative environment!

• President/President-Elect/Past President
  • Location: Room 147B
• Programming
  • Location: Room 149AB
• Finance/Sponsorships/Partnerships
  • Location: Room 150A
• Membership/Volunteers
  • Location: Room 150B
• Communication/Marketing/Social Media
  • Location: Room 152A

Our chapter has experienced both the triumphs and challenges of hosting full-day member events. While we've had our share of engaging and financially successful events, we've also faced a few flops. Through these experiences, we discovered that the formula for a successful full-day event differs significantly from that of our regular chapter meetings.

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Welcome and Session Overview
• Personal Anecdote: Successful vs. Flop Events
• Brief Introduction of the Six Key Levers

Workshop Topic (10 minutes)

• Quick Overview: Importance of a Relevant and Exciting Topic
• Group Activity:
  • Divide participants into small groups.
  • Each group brainstorms potential workshop topics.
  • Groups present their top three topics and explain why they believe these will engage members.

Choice of Speaker (10 minutes)

• Quick Overview: Role of an Engaging Speaker
• Pair Activity:
  • In pairs, discuss criteria for selecting the right speaker based on past experiences.
  • Share and compile a list of top speaker qualities and strategies to keep the audience hooked.

Event Pricing (8 minutes)

• Quick Overview: Determining the Right Price Point
• Group Activity:
  • Small groups develop pricing strategies for a hypothetical full-day event.
  • Consider value, accessibility, early bird discounts, and bundled offers.
  • Present strategies and discuss pros and cons.

Event Date and Time (7 minutes)

• Quick Overview: Choosing the Optimal Date and Time
• Table Discussion:
  • Each table discusses ideal dates and times for events, considering member schedules and preferences.
  • Share insights and agree on top recommendations for scheduling.

Rate Schemes (7 minutes)

• Quick Overview: Different Pricing Models
• Group Activity:
  • Groups evaluate different pricing models (tiered pricing, member vs. non-member rates, group rates).
  • Discuss advantages and disadvantages, and share findings with the larger group.

Promotion (8 minutes)

• Quick Overview: Crafting an Effective Marketing Strategy
• Interactive Brainstorm:
  • Tables brainstorm marketing strategies using social media, email campaigns, and partnerships.
  • Share unique and creative promotion ideas for upcoming events.

Conclusion and Q&A (5 minutes)

• Recap of Key Points
• Open Floor for Questions
• Final Tips for Event Success
• Thank You and Contact Information

Presenter: Scott Chatelain, Charlotte Chapter

Are you ready to transform the way your team works? Discover how digital task-tracking tools can streamline program planning, boost productivity, and foster collaboration between board teams like never before. This session will take you on a game-changing journey with energizing activities and thought-provoking insights. We will help to transform chaotic and clogged planning to smooth success through the make up and the magic of these tools. Using practical strategies, tool overviews, and real-world user stories, this interactive session will empower your team to take control of your tasks—because efficiency is the key to success.

Presenters: Megan Tamisiea and Gina Epperson, Nebraska Chapter

Curious about the greatest hits from the 2025 CARE submissions? Join your NAC DJs as we spin all the jams from our chapters' latest submissions.

Expect to hear tunes like:

• How Did We Measure Against Other Chapters?
• T.R.E.N.D. in the CARE
• CARE for Our Chapter's Future
• What CARE Does For You
• Making That CARE Plan

Your DJs will not only drop CARE knowledge, but will get you up and moving and partying with other participants as we bring CARE to you!

Tools & Take-Aways:
By attending this session, chapter leaders will have an understanding how their own chapter fits into the overall CARE summary. They will also build a network with fellow chapter leaders to discuss CARE success and opportunity.
We will also guide and review the available CARE resources on the Chapter Leader Community, including the CARE Summary.

Presenters:

• Adam White, Central Pennsylvania Chapter
• Wendy Picard, Rhode Island Chapter

Learn how to maximize your chapter's marketing efforts with limited resources. This workshop will provide practical tips and strategies for building a high-performing volunteer marketing team, elevating your newsletter, and amplifying your social media presence. Discover how to streamline processes, create engaging content, and leverage social media to reach your target audience. Join us for a collaborative discussion with other chapter leaders to share best practices and innovative ideas.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• Gain actionable insights to develop and manage a high-performing volunteer marketing team, even with limited resources. Obtain a marketing team onboarding Google Sheets tool and a system of distributing work.
• Learn how to streamline processes and maximize efficiency in your marketing efforts with a content calendar and other planning tools. Discover cost-effective ways to achieve maximum impact with your marketing budget such as using a nonprofit Canva account.
• Benefit from the collective wisdom of experienced chapter leaders and marketing professionals.

Presenter: Satya Chheda, New York City Chapter

In this session, we will explore how local networks of expertise can be a game-changer for chapter growth and member engagement, focusing on the principle of quality over quantity. While traditional membership growth strategies often emphasize increasing numbers, the real value lies in building stronger, more meaningful connections. This session will highlight the importance of leveraging local partnerships, utilizing both hybrid and in-person formats effectively, and fostering intentional connections that deliver tangible member benefits.

Tools & Take-Aways:

For the "Quality Over Quantity: Leveraging Local Networks of Expertise for Chapter Growth" session at ALC 2025, the facilitation style will be highly interactive, participant-centered, and designed to encourage both individual reflection and group collaboration. The session will utilize a variety of techniques to ensure active engagement, maximize learning, and facilitate meaningful connections among participants. Below is a description of the facilitation style and techniques that will be applied:

• Interactive & Collaborative Learning: Small group discussions and real-time problem-solving to encourage peer-to-peer learning and sharing of best practices.
• Case Studies & Real-World Examples: Analysis of successful chapter strategies for leveraging local networks, followed by group brainstorming on practical applications.
• Hybrid & In-Person Engagement: Use of interactive polling and visual tools to engage both in-person and virtual participants, fostering inclusive discussions.
• Hands-On Activities: Network mapping and partnership-building exercises to help participants apply session insights to their own contexts.
• Intentional Connection: Fostering deep, meaningful interactions through structured activities like topic-based discussion groups and networking circles focused on specific themes, encouraging participants to connect around shared challenges or interests.
• Reflective & Action-Oriented Takeaways: Individual action planning for immediate implementation of strategies learned during the session.

The facilitation style for this session will be engaging, participatory, and action-focused, fostering an interactive environment where participants can collaborate, share experiences, and gain practical strategies. Through small group work, real-time discussions, and hands-on activities, attendees will learn how to leverage local networks of expertise for meaningful, sustainable chapter growth.

Presenter: Adaora Otiji, Metro DC Chapter

Discover how to grow your chapter through a strategic approach to membership and sponsorship. Learn to leverage data, create targeted personas, and craft compelling value propositions that engage your community. Through interactive activities and practice, you'll build confidence in making the “ask” and retaining your supporters. Leave with actionable strategies to drive chapter success and inspire your board to take action.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• Persona Templates: guide for defining characters representative of your chapter's audience (current and potential members) that can reveal insights and support strategic decision making around chapter offerings to serve your audience and provide member and sponsor value
• Marketing Data Resources List: a compilation of companies that specialize in business data solutions that that can be used (affordably) to grow chapter contact lists, including descriptions of their services; we will also provide tips for negotiating on price vis-a-vis sponsorship opportunities
• Action Plan: guide to educate your chapter board on strategic marketing

Presenters:

• Lisa Torreano, Houston Chapter
• Amber Watts, Nebraska Chapter

Celebrate chapter achievements over lunch! We'll honor the Chapter Excellence Award winners and highlight their outstanding contributions. Plus, the Chapter Recognition Committee will share the many ways chapters can earn recognition throughout the year. Join us to applaud your peers, gain inspiration, and learn how your chapter can shine!

In this fast-paced, 60-minute session, chapter leaders will gain practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top volunteer talent. Through interactive exercises, real-time reflection, and a strategic approach, participants will:

• Gain valuable insights from a successful chapter's experience in streamlining volunteer recruitment.
• Assess their current volunteer recruitment efforts and identify key areas for improvement.
• Learn 3 key strategies for attracting and engaging volunteers.
• Develop ONE immediate action step to implement upon returning to their chapters.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• A concise self-assessment checklist: To quickly evaluate their chapter's current recruitment process.
• A simple action planning template: To guide their implementation efforts.
• A list of 3 key strategies and actionable tips: For attracting and engaging volunteers.
• A downloadable summary: Summarizing key takeaways from the session.

Presenter: Sarah Schillen, Puget Sound Chapter

Chapter leaders often feel the pressure of results-driven metrics and busy schedules, so it's easy to overlook a key factor that drives sustainable success: fun! This session explores the transformative power of creating an environment where board members don't just work together—they thrive together. By weaving elements like play, relationship-building, passion, and inclusivity into board culture, leaders can unlock deeper connections, inspire innovative ideas, and build an atmosphere that draws in new talent and retains committed board members.

Participants will gain insight into the 'how' of building engagement beyond the standard agenda, learning practical, creative ways to foster an environment that encourages collaboration, values each member's unique contributions, and energizes the board to perform at its best.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• Practical Techniques: Tools and techniques for introducing fun and play that can be applied to any board's unique dynamic.
• Actionable Steps for Connection: Simple yet powerful ways to foster stronger relationships within the board, even in time-limited meetings.
• Framework for Inclusivity and Innovation: An adaptable approach for fostering a culture that celebrates diverse voices and innovative thinking.

This session will not only engage and inspire participants to enhance board engagement but also empower them with actionable steps and the confidence to bring their own board to life!

Presenter: Jillian Miles Massey, Greater Birmingham Chapter

This session is all about helping you get the most out of Wild Apricot. We'll start by covering what the platform can and can't do, plus how to use the admin levels and settings to get things done. You'll learn the difference between Membership and Contact records, how to set up membership levels, and the right way to archive or suspend records. We'll also show you how to organize files into neat folders so you can find stuff quickly. For events, we'll go over everything from creating and managing registrations to setting up waitlists, sending event emails, and pulling reports. Finally, we'll break down Wild Apricot's email features, including how to send automatic, manual, or broadcast emails that are clear and consistent.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• Wild Apricot Basics "user" Manual

Presenter: Jenn Buckley, Florida Suncoast Chapter

In this session, we will dive into how rethinking your chapter's value proposition can lead to significant growth in membership and engagement. We'll challenge common assumptions and paradigms that often limit the potential for connection and impact within local ATD chapters. By exploring the true needs and expectations of L&D professionals, we'll highlight how a shift in defining "value"—from programming and networking to community and belonging—can open new doors for innovative content and member-driven initiatives. Participants will engage in thought-provoking exercises to reimagine their chapter's value and learn from the successful approaches of the ATD Greater Twin Cities Chapter, which transformed its offerings into a thriving, inclusive, and member-centric community. This session will provide practical strategies to cultivate an active, engaged membership and a financially sustainable chapter, leaving you with actionable insights to take back and implement immediately.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• A new way to reframe your chapter's value proposition for L&D professionals in your region, along with strategies to begin this conversation with your board.
• Practical methods to foster a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and ownership among your chapter members.
• Actionable ideas to boost member engagement, including proven tactics for designing vibrant events and creating impactful volunteer opportunities that drive active participation.
• Fresh strategies for developing consistent and robust professional development programs that meet the evolving needs and challenges of L&D professionals.

Presenters: Mary Rapaport and Kathy Gargano, Greater Twin Cities Chapter

Harness the power of social media to drive chapter member engagement and elevate your chapter's online presence!

In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to analyze LinkedIn metrics to identify growth opportunities and create targeted strategies for increasing follower engagement. Explore essential tools like ChatGPT, Canva, and UTMs to design exciting content, plan campaigns, and track performance. Gain practical tips for using project management platforms like Asana and Google Calendar to organize your social media efforts efficiently.

Participants will have the opportunity to apply these skills during a practice activity, creating and evaluating a week of posts tailored to their chapter's needs. By the end of the session, you'll be equipped with actionable strategies to enhance your chapter's visibility, streamline your workflow, and achieve measurable results in member engagement. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to social media management, this session offers tools and insights to take your chapter's communications to the next level.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• This session provides chapter leaders with best practices and actionable insights to improve social media presence for their chapter. Whether you are new to Communication and Marketing, or have been managing your chapter platform for a while, there will be something to learn, and additional a-ha moments across the room.
• Participants in this session will leave with ways to better manage the time it takes to engage LinkedIn followers to your chapter and increase your presence without spending time daily to attend to posts.
• We will explore Canva, Asana, Google Calendar, ChatGPT and UTMs together as well as lift the hood on LinkedIn to discover scheduling, metrics and engagement.

Presenter: Nikki Vassallo, Central Massachusetts Chapter

Creating engaging and impactful chapter programming requires a blend of creativity, strategy, and collaboration. In this interactive session, participants will learn how to identify relevant program topics by leveraging community resources, member feedback, and industry trends. Working collaboratively, attendees will develop a mock six-month programming schedule that incorporates diverse topics, effective delivery modes, and iterative improvements. Participants will also evaluate various content delivery methods to determine the best fit for their chapter's audience. By the end of the session, attendees will have documented at least three actionable programming ideas and identified clear strategies for execution. This session equips chapter leaders with the confidence and tools to curate innovative, high-value programming that meets member needs and aligns with chapter goals.

Tools & Take-Aways:

• Interactive exercises will allow participants to co-create actionable programming ideas, develop an execution plan, and identify clear steps for collaboration across chapter leadership roles. For example, participants will explore how Membership leaders can gather insights through surveys, Marketing can craft promotional strategies, and Sponsorship can seek funding opportunities aligned with programs. By working together, chapter leaders will learn to create cohesive strategies that not only benefit individual events but also align with long-term chapter goals.
• Additionally, the session encourages cross-chapter collaboration by fostering networking and idea-sharing among participants. Attendees will leave with actionable tools, such as a pre-drafted programming calendar and innovative programming ideas, as well as the confidence to implement these in their own chapters. By emphasizing inclusivity, teamwork, and real-world application, this session is invaluable for chapter leaders seeking to enhance their programming and deliver greater value to their members.

Presenter: Artrell Williams, Buffalo Niagara Chapter

Are you ready to take your ATD chapter's CPTD preparation initiatives to the next level? This interactive workshop is designed for chapter leaders seeking to build or enhance successful CPTD study groups. Drawing on extensive experience leading and participating in study groups, we'll explore best practices, lessons learned, and actionable strategies to drive member engagement, collaboration, and success. Through small-group discussions, case study analysis, and practical tools, you'll leave with a clear roadmap to elevate your chapter's CPTD initiatives and support members in achieving certification.

Tools & Take-Aways:
A comprehensive suite of templates and tools will support participants in applying the workshop's insights. These resources are designed to streamline the implementation of CPTD study groups, enhance engagement, solve common challenges, and ensure measurable success. Each tool aligns with the five key takeaways to equip participants with practical solutions tailored for ATD chapter leaders.

Practical Tools for Success

• Participants will receive a collection of templates and guides to simplify the management of study groups, including:
  • Study Group Planning Template: A customizable calendar for scheduling sessions, topics, and facilitators.
  • Facilitation Guide: A detailed checklist for planning and leading effective study group meetings, from pre-session preparation to post-session follow-up.
  • Attendance and Progress Tracker: A spreadsheet to monitor participant engagement and track progress toward CPTD readiness.

These tools help ensure consistency, efficiency, and organization, enabling leaders to focus on creating a positive learning experience.

Engagement Strategies

• To maintain participant motivation and active involvement, the workshop includes:
  • Engagement Tactics Guide: A quick-reference PDF with tips for fostering a collaborative and supportive study group environment.
  • Icebreaker and Energizer Activities: A list of activities to kickstart meetings and energize participants.
  • Recognition Templates: Certificates of achievement and digital badges to celebrate milestones and encourage continued participation.

These strategies empower chapter leaders to create a culture of engagement and enthusiasm, ensuring members remain committed to the certification journey.

Case Study Solutions

• To address challenges faced in real-world study groups, the workshop includes a set of case studies with actionable solutions:
  • Case Study Scenarios PDF: Four detailed examples of common issues, such as low attendance, group conflicts, and uneven participant readiness.
  • Solution Guide: Suggested approaches to resolve these issues, drawn from proven best practices and workshop discussions.

By working through these scenarios, participants gain practical insights they can immediately apply to their own groups.

Evaluation Techniques

• Measuring the impact of study groups is crucial for demonstrating their value and making improvements. Tools provided include:
  • Session Evaluation Template: A customizable feedback form to assess participant satisfaction and session effectiveness.
  • Impact Measurement Framework: A guide for tracking metrics such as member engagement, certification rates, and chapter retention.
  • Success Story Template: A format for capturing and sharing the outcomes of successful study group initiatives to inspire future efforts.

These resources allow leaders to quantify their efforts and showcase the benefits of study groups to their chapters.

Actionable Next Steps

• To help participants translate workshop learning into action, they will receive:
  • Implementation Checklist: A step-by-step guide for launching or improving study groups in their chapter.
  • Brainstorming Notes Template: A digital worksheet to capture ideas generated during the workshop for reference and follow-up.
  • Sample Communication Plan: A template for promoting study groups to chapter members and encouraging participation.

By combining these tools with workshop discussions, participants will leave with a clear, actionable plan for implementing or elevating their CPTD study groups.

This robust toolkit ensures participants can drive meaningful change in their chapters, supporting individual certification success and broader organizational goals.

Presenter: Melody Davis, Houston Chapter

Does your chapter have issues with emails that go unread? Or social media posts with no engagement? And does that turn into lower attendance and a smaller reach than you'd like? "Scroll, Share, Succeed: Crafting Communications That Cut Through" is a dynamic learning session designed to help chapters elevate their communications in today's fast-paced, digital world.

Attendees will learn how to plan messaging with precision, utilizing timing and tools to enhance effectiveness and maximize impact. We'll focus on creating communications that resonate with target audiences, driving both awareness and actionable results.

We'll also explore practical tools and templates that streamline the communication design process, making it faster and more efficient. Additionally, the session emphasizes leveraging social media platforms and collaborating with teammates to boost engagement and achieve superior outcomes.

By the end, chapter leaders will be equipped with strategies to craft compelling communications that stand out in a crowded marketplace!

Tools & Take-Aways:
Does your chapter have issues with emails that go unread? Or social media posts with no engagement? And does that turn into lower attendance and a smaller reach than you'd like? "Scroll, Share, Succeed: Crafting Communications That Cut Through" is a dynamic learning session designed to help chapters elevate their communications in today's fast-paced, digital world.

Attendees will learn how to plan messaging with precision, utilizing timing and tools to enhance effectiveness and maximize impact. We'll focus on creating communications that resonate with target audiences, driving both awareness and actionable results.

We'll also explore practical tools and templates that streamline the communication design process, making it faster and more efficient. Additionally, the session emphasizes leveraging social media platforms and collaborating with teammates to boost engagement and achieve superior outcomes.

By the end, chapter leaders will be equipped with strategies to craft compelling communications that stand out in a crowded marketplace!

Presenters: Kevin Coyne and Paul Signorelli, South Florida Chapter

Is your chapter realizing the benefits of student membership? Students from the colleges and universities in your territory are the future of ATD and Talent Development. It is imperative that we interest them in the benefits of ATD. This session will explore how to establish a partnership with colleges and universities, identify opportunities to foster student engagement, and create strategies to promote ATD to the students. We'll share many ideas and tools, such as student sponsorship, student special interest groups, and student spotlights to aid in your success. As a result of attending this session, you will walk away with a strategy on how to best grow student memberships in your chapter.

Tools & Take-Aways:
Participants of this presentation will take away several tools that they can immediately use. These tools and best practices regarding student membership can be easily replicated in any chapter. The tools are as follows:

• Sponsorship Google Forms - We have developed a form for both current members to complete to indicate they wish to sponsor a student and a form for the student to complete seeking sponsorship. The student Google form indicates that a student must participate in at least three programs/events during the year. These forms are very helpful as it instills an easy process to secure sponsors for the students.
• Special Interest Group (SIG) Deck - We have developed a presentation that can be used with colleges and universities to help them understand what a Special Interest Group is, its benefits, and SIG best practices.
• Spotlight Google Form - We have created a Member Spotlight Google form that makes it easy for someone to nominate an ATD member and easy for the board to monitor and maintain these nominations.
• Email and LinkedIn Drafts for College Reach-Outs - We have several messages that other chapters can easily adapt and use to reach out to their local colleges and universities.
• Takeaway List to Help Identify Colleges to Target - This list will help the chapter leaders prioritize and organize who they will contact to promote ATD and generate interest.
• Student Flyer - This flier provides an excellent format on how to promote ATD to students.
• Strategy Action Plan - This template will help chapter leaders formulate their plan on how to reach out to students and organize their next steps.

Presenter: Jeannie Frazier, Nebraska Chapter

What do you love most about your favorite brands, products, and experiences? Think of Amazon's customer obsession, Disney's experiential storytelling, Apple's elegant simplicity, Duolingo's playful surprises, Patagonia's purpose-driven branding, Airbnb's community of trust, and Slack's knowledge sharing camaraderie. The common denominator is that they make you feel seen, connected, and a central figure in the experience.

In this interactive workshop, we'll draw inspiration from some of the most successful brands, communities, and campaigns into actionable frameworks to transform our chapters into sustainable member-centric enterprises. You'll leave with a true blueprint – a tangible action plan to make their chapters indispensable, inclusive, and future-ready.

Tools & Take-Aways:
Participants will leave this session equipped with a blueprint worksheet for immediate application within their own chapters. They will gain a simplified version of infamous frameworks, including: Start With Why, a member persona exercise, an adaptable value proposition exercise, and a belonging blueprint.

In addition to these tangible resources, participants will discover a set of best practices and proven frameworks drawn from globally admired businesses and dynamic global communities. By adapting principles of customer centricity, persona mapping, and inclusive community-building, they can develop a future-ready chapter model that not only satisfies members but delights and inspires them. The workshop's balanced blend of theory, concrete examples, and hands-on exercises ensures leaders can swiftly translate insights into practical, impactful changes.

Ultimately, this workshop is valuable because it reframes chapter leadership from a traditional, event-focused mindset to a holistic, business-savvy approach. By learning to think like entrepreneurs who understand their “customers,” chapter leaders can better serve their members' evolving needs. This method does more than increase attendance or boost membership; it deepens relationships, encourages collaboration, and transforms the chapter into an impactful voice in their local markets.

Presenter: Elran Tsabag, New York City Chapter

Stepping into the role of ATD Chapter President is both a rewarding and challenging journey. This interactive session is designed to help current and aspiring chapter presidents navigate the practical and personal aspects of leadership. Participants will gain insights into key logistical tools, such as a year-at-a-glance calendar, communication strategies, and ways to support their board, while also exploring the human side of leadership. Through reflective exercises, including a framework for overcoming limiting beliefs, attendees will define how they want to lead, build relationships, and be remembered. This session goes beyond the “how-to” resources to help leaders focus on who they want to be as a president and why their leadership matters. By the end, participants will leave with practical tools, a personal leadership legacy statement, and a clear next step to guide their chapter and their leadership journey.

Tools & Take-Aways:
A Year-at-a-Glance Calendar

• A structured overview of key milestones and deadlines to help chapter leaders plan and manage their presidency with clarity.
• Why it’s valuable: Planning ahead reduces overwhelm and ensures alignment with chapter goals, making it easier to stay organized and proactive throughout the year.

President Communication Framework

• Practical ideas for staying connected with the board and chapter members, including sample communication schedules, recognition tips, and strategic planning guidance.
• Why it’s valuable: Effective communication fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures alignment with the chapter’s vision and goals.

Board Support Ideas

• Creative ways to connect with and motivate board members, such as personality assessments, personalized notes, and small gestures of appreciation.
• Why it’s valuable: Strong board relationships lead to better collaboration and engagement, making the chapter president’s role more effective and enjoyable.

Limiting Beliefs Exercise

• A step-by-step tool inspired by Byron Katie’s framework to identify and challenge limiting beliefs, fostering empowering thoughts and confident leadership.
• Why it’s valuable: Leaders often face self-doubt or fear of failure. This tool provides a method to shift mindset and approach challenges with clarity and purpose.

Personal Leadership Legacy Statement

• A reflective exercise to define how leaders want to be remembered and the impact they want to have during their presidency.
• Why it’s valuable: Establishing a vision for leadership ensures that decisions and actions align with values, creating a meaningful and lasting legacy.

Next-Step Action Plan

• A personalized action plan to help participants take immediate steps toward their leadership goals, whether they are current presidents or considering the role.
• Why it’s valuable: Leaders leave the session not only inspired but equipped with actionable strategies to implement their vision and goals right away.

This session empowers chapter leaders to step into their roles with confidence, clarity, and purpose. It’s designed not just to prepare them for the presidency but to inspire them to leave a lasting impact.

Presenter: Alyssa Willet, Rocky Mountain Chapter

Navigate your path to success with Chapter Sponsorships! Join us for "Value In, Value Out: Embarking on a Sponsorship Journey from 0 to 10 with ATD St. Louis." Discover how ATD STL transformed their sponsorship landscape from zero to ten viable sponsors in just one year. This interactive session will equip you with strategic approaches to attract and retain sponsors, identify key value propositions, and tailor sponsorship levels to maximize value. Tap in to this opportunity to elevate your chapter's sponsorship game and ensure sustainable growth!

Tools & Take-Aways:

• Template for Chapter Sponsorship leveling
• 10 Step Journey to Securing Chapter Sponsorships that Meet your Chapters Unique Needs
• Template for Creating A Chapter Value One-Pager for Attracting Sponsors

Presenters: Jazmin Webster and Nikki Thompson, St. Louis Chapter

Wrap up the conference with focused action-planning to apply key takeaways to your chapter’s success. Connect with fellow leaders, set goals, and enjoy a sweet treat as we close out the event together!
Location: Room 151AB

End the conference on a high note with final reflections and a chance to win exciting prizes in our closing raffle!
Location: Room 151AB