The future of learning is here, and it's powered by AI, immersive technologies, and data-driven strategies. Are you ready to lead the charge? Join us for the ATD Houston Virtual Technology Conference and gain the critical insights and practical skills you need to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. This immersive online event offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts, explore cutting-edge trends, and connect with fellow talent development professionals – all from the comfort of your own desk.
Here's what you can expect:
World-Class Keynotes: Be inspired by industry titans like Hadiya Nuriddin and Chad Udell, as they share their vision for the future of learning and development.
Actionable Strategies: Dive deep into practical sessions led by experts like Dr. Pooja Jaisingh, Traci Cantu, Bob Newhouse and Josh Penzell, and discover how to leverage AI, modern learning technologies, and innovative LMS solutions to elevate your impact.
Unbeatable Value: Access all this incredible content at a fraction of the cost of traditional conferences. Plus, enjoy the convenience and flexibility of a virtual event.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, share best practices, and build valuable relationships through interactive online forums and discussions.
Hadiya Nuridin, Morning keynote speaker, Learning Track
Rewriting the Rules for Technology-supported Storytelling
Access to new technologies has ushered in an exciting era for storytelling in learning and development. The good news? It’s never been easier quickly to craft compelling scenarios, create stunning visuals, and produce immersive videos. The challenge? These versatile tools demand greater responsibility to ensure that our stories remain authentic, meaningful, and effective. In this keynote, we’ll explore how to navigate this new world where technology amplifies the storytelling process. We’ll address the challenges of balancing innovation with integrity, creating immersive experiences that resonate deeply with learners, and avoiding the pitfalls of superficial or inauthentic narratives. Through practical examples and thought-provoking insights, we’ll uncover strategies to harness storytelling technology for maximum impact, driving both engagement and transformation. Whether you’re a learning designer, educator, or leader, this keynote will inspire you to embrace technology as a partner in storytelling while staying true to the core principles that make stories powerful.
Bio: Hadiya Nuriddin brings over two decades of expertise in learning strategy, instructional design, eLearning development, and facilitation. After an accomplished career in corporate learning, she founded her own firm, Duets Learning, where she has collaborated with a broad range of clients on diverse topics. She has a Masters of Education and a Masters of Arts in Writing. Hadiya teaches learning and development courses through Duets Learning and also with The Association for Talent Development (ATD), The Learning Guild, and Training Magazine. Her impact on the field has earned her accolades, including the Learning Guild’s Guild Master Award and ATD’s Talent Development Outstanding Professional Award. As a recognized thought leader, Hadiya frequently delivers keynotes at global conferences, authors articles on learning and development, and has published two books with ATD Press: StoryTraining (2018) and Quality Management in Learning and Development (2024).
Chad Udell, Afternoon keynote speaker - AI Track
Unlock Your Potential with AI: Transforming the Future of Learning
AI isn’t just a buzzword or a tool to streamline old processes—it’s a catalyst for reimagining how we create, deliver, and measure learning. In this keynote, we’ll explore the transformative opportunities AI brings to the eLearning and HR training space, from dynamic personalization to smarter content creation and real-time insights. You’ll gain a clear, balanced perspective on how AI will reshape your role and the skills you need to thrive in this evolving landscape. Discover how to leverage AI to amplify your impact, drive business value, and future-proof your career—all while staying true to what makes learning human.
Bio: Chad Udell is the co-founder and co-CEO of SparkLearn, a platform revolutionizing learning for mobile and frontline teams. With over 25 years of experience, Chad has worked with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to design innovative digital learning solutions. An expert in mobile learning and emerging technologies, Chad is a globally recognized speaker and the author of Learning Everywhere and Shock of the New, which offer practical insights into transforming training strategies. Passionate about the future of learning, Chad helps organizations harness innovation to drive meaningful results.
Dr. Pooja Jaisingh, speaker - Learning Track
Navigating Learning Tools and Technologies for the Future
As learning technologies continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, organizations must navigate a sea of tools and innovations to design impactful and future-ready learning experiences. This session offers a comprehensive roadmap to understand, adopt, and maximize the potential of modern learning technologies.
Discover the tools shaping the present and future of learning, from AI-driven solutions and immersive technologies to data-powered insights and collaborative platforms. Gain practical strategies for integrating these technologies into your learning ecosystem, ensuring seamless adoption and measurable outcomes.
Through real-world examples and actionable insights, this session will empower you to make informed decisions, embrace emerging trends, and future-proof your learning strategies. Whether you're an L&D leader, instructional designer, or technologist, this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the ever-changing landscape of learning tools and technologies.
Bio: Pooja is the Associate Vice President of Digital Learning at Icertis, with a track record of creating award-winning eLearning courses. An expert in the field, she has authored books and video courses on eLearning tools and technologies. Her experience includes key roles as a Principal eLearning Evangelist at Adobe and Chief Learning Geek at a start-up. With certifications in CPTD and SHRM-SCP, Pooja holds a master's degree in Education & Economics and a doctorate in Educational Technology. She was recently recognized as a Guild Master by The Learning Guild for her outstanding contributions to the eLearning community.
Traci Cantu, speaker - Learning Track
Reimagining the LMS and Beyond: Modern Alternatives to Legacy Systems
As corporate learning evolves, traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS) often fall short of meeting today’s business and learner needs. This session explores the shift away from legacy LMS platforms to modern, flexible solutions that integrate seamlessly into broader learning ecosystems. Attendees will gain insights into emerging technologies, best practices for transitioning, and strategies for future-proofing their learning tech stack.
Bio: Tracie Cantu is an accomplished executive specializing in learning technology and operations. With over 15 years of leadership experience at international organizations like Meta, Atlassian, and Whole Foods Market, she excels at designing scalable strategies, optimizing learning ecosystems, and delivering measurable outcomes, including multimillion-dollar savings and increased operational efficiency. Tracie is a sought-after consultant and speaker who partners with global organizations to align L&D strategies with business goals and regularly shares insights at industry events for ATD, The Learning Guild, and Training Magazine.
Josh Penzell, speaker - AI Track
The Abundance Mindset: How AI Unlocks Creativity and Collaboration in Learning
AI isn’t here to replace us; it’s here to amplify us. By embracing an abundance mindset, learning professionals can reimagine how they design, deliver, and scale impactful learning experiences. This session will challenge the scarcity mindset that often clouds our thinking about AI, showing how reframing AI as a creative collaborator opens up new possibilities.We’ll explore real-world applications of AI in learning, from personalizing development journeys to fostering collaboration and efficiency. Along the way, you'll pick up practical steps, grounded in both data and a bit of humor, for integrating AI in ways that keep the humanity in human-centered design. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or ready to dive in, this session will equip you with actionable ideas and a fresh perspective on how AI can transform your approach to learning and development.
Bio: Josh Penzell is what you get when you mix an AI strategist, a learning leader, and a former musical theater director. As Vice President of AI Innovation & Strategy at ELB Learning, he helps organizations leverage artificial intelligence to reimagine how they design learning experiences that are as effective as they are creative. Josh’s journey into the world of AI wasn’t a straight line—it was more like an awkwardly choreographed dance number. Over 15 years, he’s led transformative learning initiatives for Amazon Alexa, Zillow, and Skillsoft, creating programs that deliver measurable results, such as reducing training resources by 50% or growing businesses by 1000%. His knack for translating complex AI concepts into approachable, actionable strategies has made him a go-to speaker and consultant. Josh holds a BS in Communication from Northwestern University, an MFA in Theater from CUNY – Brooklyn College, and an MBA from the University of Illinois. When he’s not demystifying AI, you can find him coaching his AI teammates, mentoring learning leaders, or finding creative ways to make ROI presentations surprisingly entertaining.
Bob Newhouse, speaker - AI Track
The Future is Here. Now What?
Our world is being radically transformed by AI, This dynamic session will explore how emerging technologies are colliding with workforce and workplace trends in reshaping learning and development. We will dive into cutting-edge trends in AI, digital tools, the skills economy, and adaptive strategies that drive personalized learning, engagement, and organizational performance at the edge. As Learning & Development professionals, how do we future-proof our workforce in this rapidly shifting digital era?
Bio: Bob Newhouse is a visionary leader in people development who brings a start-up mindset and a passion for driving transformation. With global HR and talent leadership experience spanning energy, technology, government services, and consulting, Bob brings cutting-edge innovation to talent strategies across industries. As VP of People and Talent for a 35,000-employee tech services firm, he spearheaded the creation and deployment of advanced talent management and learning systems. Previously, as Chief Learning Officer for a global energy company, he launched immersive simulation centers and automated competency assessments worldwide. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BA) and the University of Houston Law Center (JD), Bob advises large global companies, Houston-based start-ups and serves as a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum.
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