TrainingPros at TICE 2025: Insights, Innovation, and Community Connection
The Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) has long been known as one of the most influential gatherings for learning leaders in the corporate training world and TICE 2025 was no exception. Held from June 3-5, this year’s event drew hundreds of professionals who are shaping the future of workplace learning, including members of the TrainingPros team. We were proud to be in attendance. Not only to stay current on the latest trends, tools, and thinking in L&D, but also to stay closely connected to the community we serve.
What Makes TICE Unique
TICE is not your typical learning conference. Built intentionally for corporate learning and development (L&D) leaders, TICE stands out for its emphasis on practical takeaways, strategic alignment, and true connection among attendees. Unlike massive expos that can feel impersonal, TICE is designed to be an interactive, intimate environment that fosters meaningful dialogue and long-lasting relationships.
This year’s event focused heavily on the theme of “Managing Change in the Future of Work”, a timely and urgent topic as L&D professionals grapple with the pace of digital transformation, remote and hybrid work, and the ever-expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI).
A Front-Row Seat to L&D’s Evolving Role
Rick Ransome, a TrainingPros Relationship Manager, former client, and a Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM), attended the three-day event and shared his takeaways from each day. According to Rick, Day One set the tone with a clear message: the future of work is changing fast, and L&D has a central role in shaping it.
Ken Taylor, CPTM and President of Training Industry, opened the event with a powerful reminder that investment in L&D continues to grow, especially around the development of human and soft skills. In a world where automation and AI are reshaping roles, it was encouraging to hear that human-centered development remains a priority for learning organizations.
Throughout the day, sessions emphasized both innovation and inclusion:
- Robert Johnson, PMP, CPTM, MBA explored the “power skills” that enable strong project leadership. Skills like empathy, communication, and influence that are often undervalued but critically important.
- Jane Gredvig, EdD passionately argued that accessibility in training is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a must. Her session emphasized the ethical and strategic importance of inclusive learning design.
- Artrell Williams, CPTM, CPTD gave a dynamic presentation on gamification, complete with case studies demonstrating how game-based strategies lead to better engagement and measurable learning outcomes.
- Tom Whelan, Ph.D. challenged attendees to rethink how we evaluate training success. His message: data doesn’t have to follow a straight line to tell a powerful story.
But the true showstopper on Day One? According to Rick, it was Nichol Bradford’s keynote on the race to scale Agentic-AI. Agentic AI is a form of AI that can take autonomous action and make decisions based on user goals and preferences. Her insights were not just eye-opening, they were a wake-up call. As Bradford put it, “AI won’t just support the future of work. It is the future of work.” For learning leaders, the challenge is clear: adapt quickly, or risk falling behind.
Day Two: Community and Conversations
Day Two was filled with equally valuable content, but one highlight was catching up with Dr. Keith Keating, a respected voice in the L&D community and author of the newly released book Hidden Value: How to Reveal the Impact of Organizational Learning.
As Rick shared, Keating’s session was standing-room only, with his new book being snapped up almost as quickly as it was laid out on the table. “Thankfully, I had my pre-order in already,” Rick joked.
Rick later summed up the TICE experience perfectly:
“TICE 2025 was a meaningful experience—large enough to offer diverse perspectives, yet intimate enough to make real connections. The sessions and spaces struck a balance between big-picture inspiration and real-world best practices, shared by a community of learning leaders and practitioners.”
Why TrainingPros Attends Events Like TICE
For us at TrainingPros, attending events like TICE isn’t just about professional development, it’s about staying deeply engaged with the evolving needs of our clients and consultants.
As a contract staffing company that places experienced L&D consultants on high-impact projects, we know that staying current on trends, technology, and client priorities is essential. Events like TICE allow us to hear firsthand what learning leaders are talking about, where they’re headed next, and what kinds of talent they need to make their visions a reality.
These events also give us the opportunity to support the broader L&D community. Whether it’s through informal conversations, expert panels, or sharing the stories of our talented consultants, we believe in giving back to the field that has given us so much.
As Rick shared, “I left TICE with a notebook full of ideas, a deeper understanding of the challenges our clients face, and a renewed sense of connection to the L&D community. There’s no substitute for being in the room where the ideas are happening.”
Final Thoughts
In a time when learning and development is being asked to do more—drive engagement, support change, foster inclusion, and build skills for a constantly shifting future—events like TICE serve as both a compass and a catalyst. For TrainingPros, showing up means more than attending sessions. It means learning, listening, and leading alongside the professionals we’re proud to serve.
We’re grateful to the organizers of TICE and to everyone who shared their ideas and expertise. If you’re a learning leader looking to stay inspired, informed, and connected, mark your calendar for next year’s event, and we hope to see you there!
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