TrainingPros at the Learning Guild’s Learning Leadership Conference 2025
TrainingPros was proud to attend the Learning Guild’s Learning Leadership Conference 2025, a premier event dedicated to those who lead or aspire to lead learning and development (L&D) functions within their organizations. Held in the beautiful setting of Orlando, Florida, the conference brought together hundreds of L&D professionals from across industries for three days of learning, networking, and professional growth.
Representing TrainingPros was Leigh Anne Lankford, President of the company, who, despite arriving later than planned due to commitments at another event, made the most of her time at the conference. From connecting with learning leaders to attending back-to-back sessions and exploring the conference bookstore, Leigh Anne left energized and inspired by what she described as “one of the most well-curated events of the year for anyone serious about leading learning.”
Connecting with Learning Professionals
The conference offered countless opportunities for meaningful connections. Over breakfast and lunch, attendees gathered around tables to discuss what they had learned, share experiences, and talk about the challenges and opportunities ahead for their L&D teams.
Each evening, the Learning Guild hosted networking receptions with cocktails and themed discussion tables, making it easy to strike up conversations with professionals from around the world. These informal meetups turned out to be some of the most valuable parts of the event sparking new ideas, new partnerships, and new friendships.
Leigh Anne met a diverse mix of learning professionals, seasoned CLOs, emerging leaders, and even consultants interested in connecting with corporate learning leaders. “I appreciated that the Guild intentionally made space for connection,” she said. “The discussion tables were brilliant. You could join a conversation about data, strategy, or the future of L&D and walk away with half a dozen actionable ideas.”
Trends in Learning & Development:
Insights from Learning Leaders
Sessions that Delivered Real Impact
With more than 100 sessions to choose from, the most difficult decision each day was deciding which room to walk into. Leigh Anne focused on sessions that explored the intersection of business strategy, data, and technology, all areas that are of interest to TrainingPros’ clients.
Leading L&D: Guild Masters’ Insights
This powerful opening panel featured a lineup of Guild Masters including Jane Bozarth, Marjan Bradesko, Julie Dirksen, Bob Mosher, Frank Nguyen, Will Thalheimer, Megan Torrance, and newest inductee Jess Almlie. These respected leaders discussed how the L&D profession continues to evolve and what future-ready leadership looks like in the age of AI, data, and digital transformation.
Go Beyond Order Taking & Rebrand L&D as a Strategic Business Partner
Presented by Lynne McNamee, this session challenged attendees to rethink how they position L&D inside their organizations. Rather than being “order takers,” McNamee emphasized the importance of moving upstream in the business conversation, asking deeper questions, aligning with organizational priorities, and presenting L&D as a driver of growth and change.
Showing the Impact of L&D on Organizational KPIs
This engaging Q&A session with Alaina Szlachta, Dr. Elham Arabi, and Guylaine Bourque provided a data-driven look at how learning leaders can connect their work directly to business metrics. Attendees explored how to define, measure, and communicate results that matter most to executives, bridging the gap between training activity and business performance.
AI in the L&D Tech Stack: From Prompting to Agents
Josh Cavalier delivered one of the most talked-about sessions of the conference. He demonstrated how L&D professionals can evolve their use of AI from simple prompting to designing and deploying AI agents that support personalized learning, automate development workflows, and provide ongoing performance support.
AI Strategies for L&D Leaders in 2026
In a separate but complementary session, Markus Bernhardt looked ahead to where AI is taking the industry next. He discussed how to ingrate AI copilots and performance support systems into workflows to drive productivity.
Lead with Data: Creating High-Impact Learning Strategies with Analytics
Rich Reitter and Christine Hurst walked attendees through practical strategies for using analytics to shape and validate learning strategy. Their insights helped connect the dots between measurement and meaning showing how the right data can guide priorities, prove impact, and elevate L&D’s voice in strategic conversations.
What to Do When Learning is Not the Answer
Christopher Adams closed out Leigh Anne’s session lineup with a critical reminder: not every performance problem has a training solution. His session provided a framework for diagnosing root causes and recommending the right interventions, whether they involve learning, process improvement, or leadership change.
Creating Performance and Learning Objectives That Drive Results
The Bookstore: A Treasure Trove for L&D Professionals
The Learning Guild bookstore was a can’t-miss stop between sessions. Stocked with hundreds of titles and frequent author signing events, it served as a hub for idea exchange and inspiration. Leigh Anne left with two standout reads that perfectly captured the conference’s major themes:
- L&D Order Taker No More! by Jess Almlie, who was also recognized as a new Guild Master during the event.
- Applying AI in Learning & Development by Josh Cavalier, expanding on the tools and frameworks from his session.
Both books will no doubt inspire future conversations at TrainingPros about how to continue evolving the L&D profession.
Keynotes with a Fresh Perspective
Although Leigh Anne missed the first keynote, she attended the closing keynote panel, which featured four respected learning leaders discussing career growth and leadership in L&D. The Learning Guild’s choice to highlight real practitioners rather than celebrity speakers was a noticeable and refreshing shift.
Panelists shared their personal career journeys, lessons learned, and predictions for the next decade of learning leadership. The conversation reflected the event’s overall theme: that the future of L&D belongs to those who combine curiosity, courage, and clear alignment with business goals.
A Celebration to Remember
After the sessions, the celebration continued. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, and live music, the perfect opportunity to reflect on the day, reconnect with peers, and relax after a full program. It was a fitting end to an inspiring summit, proof that learning leaders know how to work hard and celebrate their successes together.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Big changes are on the horizon. The Learning Leadership Conference 2026 will move to Las Vegas, where it will be held the week before DevLearn, the Guild’s flagship technology event. This new structure will allow attendees to experience both leadership-focused sessions and hands-on tech innovation in a single trip, creating an unmatched opportunity for professional growth.
Final Reflections
For TrainingPros, attending the Learning Leadership Conference is about staying connected to the pulse of the industry and ensuring we continue to support our clients with the latest insights and expertise.
What Skills Do Learning Leaders Value Most in 2025?
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