197 — Shaking up the conference format

Learning and development conferences tend to follow a predictable format: an exhibition hall full of vendors, hour-long sessions from experts, and fringe events where people can socialise. The introduction of social distancing has disrupted that format, but might it also create an opportunity to try something different? This week on The Good Practice Podcast, Dr. Will Thalheimer and Matthew Richter, president of The Thiagi Group, join Ross G and Owen to share details of the online-only 'L&D Conference'. We discuss: Some of the challenges associated with traditional conferences The format and line-up of The L&D Conference The benefits of this approach for speakers and attendees. Show notes Details of The L&D Conference are online at: learningdevelopmentconference.com During the conversation, we discussed both evidence-informed practice and learning styles. For more on these topics, see our episodes: The No.1 L&D Detective Agency, with Rob Briner at: podcast.goodpractice.com/163-evidence-the-no-1-ld-detective-agency Evidence-informed learning design with Mirjam Neelen at: podcast.goodpractice.com/177-evidence-informed-learning-design Does the language of L&D matter? With David Kelly, at: podcast.goodpractice.com/135-does-the-language-of-ld-matter In What I Learned This Week, Owen discussed the opportunities that Transistor FM offers for private podcasts. Find out more at: transistor.fm  Will shared a quote from journalist Jack Newfield, who did indeed die in 2004. You can find out more about Newfield, and the quote, at Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Newfield Connect with our speakers If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with our speakers on Twitter: Ross Garner @RossGarnerEW Owen Ferguson @OwenFerguson Dr Will Thalheimer @WillWorkLearn For more on Matt see thiagi.com or linkedin.com/in/matthew-richter-0738b84 For more from Will, see worklearning.com or presentationscience.net  Will and Matt podcast at truthinlearning.com. You can follow Emerald Works on Twitter @Emerald_Works and LinkedIn.