ATD Houston upcoming events

ATD Houston Virtual Technology Conference (April 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:30:00 GMT

The Future of Learning Moves Fast. Don’t Get Left Behind.

The L&D landscape shifts overnight. What worked yesterday is likely obsolete today. The ATD Houston Virtual Technology Conference is your fast track to the front lines of talent development. This isn't just another webinar—it’s a high-impact, strategic download from the visionaries currently redefining our industry.

Why You Need to Be There:

Global Visionaries, Zero Travel: Access world-class insights from international leaders like Dr. Keith Keating and Johann Laville without the flight, hotel, or premium price tag.
Practical Blueprints: We’re moving beyond theory. Walk away with "day-one" strategies for AI integration, instructional design, and learning operations.
The "Vault" Advantage: Life is busy. Your registration includes permanent access to all session recordings and materials so you can learn at your own pace.
Community & Prizes: Connect with a network of forward-thinkers and enter for a chance to win high-value sponsor raffles

Don’t wait for the price to jump. Secure your spot now before Early Bird pricing vanishes on April 1st. Unlike the date, this is not a prank—grab your pass today and lead the charge into the future of learning.

Morning Keynote: Hidden Value – Revealing the Impact of L&D Dr. Keith Keating | Chief Learning Officer, BDO The author of The Trusted Learning Advisor and Hidden Value joins us from Toronto to discuss how human talent remains the cornerstone of organizational success in a tech-driven world.

Afternoon Keynote: The Imperative for TD to Lead Technology Selection Johann Laville | Chief Learning Officer, Merck & Co., Inc. With over 20 years of global leadership, Johann will explore why Talent Development must take the lead in technology selection, moving beyond the traditional boundaries of HR and IT.

The Full Schedule (All times in CST)

Session details: 2026 Virtual Technology Conference

Name	Session	CST
Dr. Keith Keating	Keynote: Hidden Value: Revealing the Impact of L&D	8:45-9:45
Johann Laville	Keynote: The Imperative for TD to Lead Technology Selection: Moving Beyond HR and IT	4:00-4:45
Myra Roldan	The ASK Framework for AI	10:00-10:45
Allyncia Williams	Fix the Flow	11:00-11:45
Vince Han	Managing Your AI Agent: Why Learning Content Still Needs Human Leadership	1:00-1:45
Jeff Batt	Unlocking Custom Learning Experiences Using AI: No Coding Required	2:00-2:45
Diane Elkins	Show, Don’t Tell: Get Maximum Instructional Value From Your Visuals	3:00-3:45

APTD/CPTD Certification

This program is eligible for APTD and CPTD recertification points from the ATD Certification Institute. Visit https://www.td.org/ci-recertification for more details about the APTD and CPTD recertification policies.

SHRM PDCs

ATD Houston is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. This program is valid for PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.

VIRTUAL PRODUCER AND Conference Sponsor

www.elsie.co

SIG Technology: Best Practices (April 24, 2026)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The landscape of Artificial Intelligence is evolving at a breakneck pace. To help our community stay ahead, the ATD Houston Technology SIG is dedicating monthly meetings to an ongoing exploration of AI Best Practices.

Join us on the last Friday of every month at noon for a collaborative deep dive into the practical application of AI in Talent Development. These sessions are designed as a consistent touchpoint for L&D professionals to share what’s working, troubleshoot challenges, and discover the latest tools.

Monthly Focus Areas

While the specific agenda will evolve alongside the technology, our recurring discussions will typically cover:

Strategic Implementation: Identifying high-impact use cases for AI in L&D.
Tool Selection: Criteria for choosing the right AI stack for your needs.
Ethics & Governance: Navigating data privacy, copyright, and bias.
Prompt Engineering: Practical techniques to improve Generative AI outputs.
Future Trends: Emerging AI technologies in workforce development.

Join the Conversation

Whether you are an AI novice or a power user, your perspective is valuable. This is your space to ask questions and learn from peers.

Help Shape the Agenda

We tailor each session based on member needs. Please submit your specific questions or suggested topics in advance to: presidentemeritus@tdhouston.org

Speaker: Debbie Richards is a leading voice in the application of Artificial Intelligence for Talent Development. As an AI Strategy Consultant at Undesto.AI and President of Creative Interactive Ideas, she guides enterprise organizations through the complex landscape of AI adoption. With over three decades of experience as a learning architect, Debbie specializes in creating clear roadmaps that help teams integrate AI tools into their learning operations, resulting in measurable improvements in engagement and performance. Currently serving as the Chief Learning Advisor at Cognota, Debbie drives innovation by combining learning operations with cutting-edge technology.

She is a premier facilitator for the Association for Talent Development (ATD), where she trains professionals on practical AI implementation. She teaches several key industry courses, including the AI for Instructional Design Workshop, AI for Talent Development Workshop, Applying AI in Learning and Development Certificate, and Using AI Assistants to Power Productivity.

Debbie’s influence extends globally through international speaking engagements and her work as an author of ATD’s "Seeing the Possibilities With Augmented Reality" and "Preparing Your Organization for New Technologies." New TD at Work Guide for Feb 2026 - Become a Strategic Learning Architect With AI.

ATD Houston Networking and Happy Hour - Sponsored by NovoEd (April 29, 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join local professionals for a happy hour at Gloria's Latin Cuisine in Katy. This event focuses on building local relationships and discussing talent development in an informal setting.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Gloria's Latin Cuisine, 23333 Grand Circle Blvd., Suite 100, Katy, TX 77449

You can expect two hours of open conversation with peers from various industries across the Houston area. Whether you want to discuss specific challenges in your field or simply meet new people, this gathering provides a space to do so over food and drinks.

About NovoEd (Our Sponsor)

NovoEd provides talent development technology for large organizations. The company started in 2012 at the Stanford Social Algorithms Lab to help businesses manage mentoring and skill application at scale. Companies use the NovoEd platform to facilitate collaborative learning and track how employees apply new skills to their actual work. You can find more information at novoed.com.

Learn more about their products:

ATD International Conference 2026 - Team registration (May 17, 2026)

Sun, 17 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Are you planning to attend the ATD26 International Conference?

Here's a fantastic opportunity to save big while connecting with your fellow chapter members. We're putting together a group to attend ATD26, and you can save up to $500 on your registration!

Don't miss out on these rate deadlines:

Early Bird Rate ends Dec 31st
Advanced Rate ends April 11
Standard Rate ends May 17th

To take advantage of this exclusive discount:

RSVP to this event so we know you're interested or planning to attend. We always plan a chapter event at the conference. We want to make sure you know about it!

Register for ATD26 on the ATD26 conference site and use the discount code during checkout.

The Houston team discount codes are:

In-Person Code: ATD26-7032
Virtual Code: ATD26V-7032

To register:

Visit ATD26 Conference site.
Click REGISTER NOW in the top right-hand corner of the page.
Select your conference registration and any additional options, then click Add to Cart.
If not already an ATD national member, members can bundle membership with registration for additional savings.
In your cart, select REDEEM A CODE and enter the appropriate team code to receive the discount.
Click Proceed to Checkout and be sure to enter your chapter’s ChIP code (CH7032) prior to payment so your chapter receives ChIP revenue for the purchase!

Why attend ATD26?

ATD26 is the premier event for talent development professionals. It's your chance to:

Learn about the latest trends and best practices in the field.
Discover new tools and solutions at the largest EXPO for training and development.
Network with over 13,000 professionals from 80+ countries.
Reconnect, recharge, and get inspired!

Learn more about ATD26:

We hope to see you there!

Webinar: Stand Out: Expert Tips on CVs and Interviews (May 21, 2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This session is designed for anyone looking to strengthen their professional brand and improve their success in today’s competitive job market. Whether attendees are early career professionals, returning to the workforce, changing careers, or looking to advance internally, the content provides immediate value. With recruiters screening hundreds of profiles and interviews becoming more behavior and competency based, understanding what truly stands out is critical.

Participants will gain insider knowledge directly from a senior talent acquisition leader who has reviewed thousands of CVs and conducted countless interviews across the GCC and international markets. They will learn what recruiters really look for, what common mistakes to avoid, and how to present themselves with clarity and impact.

By the end of the session, participants will walk away with:

1. A Stronger, More Competitive CV

Practical guidance on structure, layout, and content
Tips for writing an ATS friendly CV
Clear examples of how to highlight accomplishments using data
Insight on what to include, what to avoid, and how to tailor a CV to a job

2. Confidence and Readiness for Interviews

A framework for preparing and practicing effectively
Tools like the STAR method to articulate achievements
Language for clearly presenting their value and strengths
Awareness of professional etiquette and best practice behaviors

3. Improved Professional Communication

What to say (and what not to say) to recruiters
How to send effective follow ups that enhance—not harm—credibility
Understanding salary discussions, CV gaps, and career change conversations

4. A Greater Understanding of Recruiter Expectations

Real, practical insights into how hiring decisions are made
Clarity on what differentiates a good candidate from a standout candidate
Awareness of mistakes that commonly lead to rejections

5. Increased Self Awareness and Career Ownership

The confidence to present themselves authentically and professionally
A better understanding of how to position their skills for future opportunities
Encouragement to approach the job search with strategy, resilience, and purpose

ATD Capability Model – Performance Improvement, Learning Technologies

To learn more about this model see: https://tdcapability.org/#/

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Jennifer Kusch serves as the Head of Talent Acquisition for GCC & Pakistan at ENGIE, drawing on over two decades of HR Management expertise. Based in Dubai, she spearheads the recruitment strategies and initiatives across the GCC and Pakistan, ensuring the acquisition of top-tier talent that aligns with ENGIE's vision and goals.

Before joining ENGIE in January 2022, Jennifer carved out a successful career path encompassing roles such as HR Business Partner, Corporate Trainer, University Relations and Intern Manager, and Senior Recruiting Manager. Her recruitment prowess is evidenced by the nearly 1,000 employees she has personally brought on board, ranging from long-haul truck drivers to high-ranking C-suite executives. Jennifer has a Master's in Human Resource Management from Keller Graduate School, Phoenix, and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Brigham Young University, Provo.

SIG Technology: Best Practices (May 29, 2026)