10 Things You Need To Do Before (and During!) the ATD International Conference in Los Angeles

Later this month I’ll be heading to Los Angeles for ATD’s International Conference & Expo, May 17-20. ATD offers an opportunity for talent professionals from around the world to come together and discover new ways to cultivate the potential of our organizations. This is one of my most anticipated trips each year, as it feels like a refreshing reset to be amongst fellow changemakers and lifelong learners committed to growth and development. 

This year, I’ll be presenting 2 sessions, hosting an Author Meet & Greet, and connecting with fellow attendees at my Booth:

• • Sunday, May 17, 10:30 AM PT, New Trends and Tools in Learning in Room 501A.
  • Sunday, May 17,  11:30 AM PT, Enterprise Learning Lunch and Learn: Scaling Enterprise Learning: The Shift from Engagement to Outcomes (RSVP Required) in Room 518 Level Two
  • Monday, May 18, 2026 1:00 PM PT, The Chemistry of Collaboration: Using Neuroscience to Build High-Performing Teams in Room Petree C, Level One
  • Monday, May 18, 2026 5:30 PM PT, Author Meet + Greet at the ATD Bookstore 
  • Booth 1547 in the Expo: Brain Aware Training

If you’ll be joining me at ATD in person, check out these 10 things you can do to get the most out of the experience. And even if you won’t be there, many of these tips can be applied to any conference, so I encourage you to take what you can! 

1. Focus on 3 key goals for yourself over the next year

ATD is a massive event with hundreds of sessions and over 400 vendors. While it would be ideal to get to all them, it simply isn’t possible. So how do you prioritize where to spend your time? Use 3 key goals to help narrow down your selections to the ones most aligned with what you hope to gain. The online conference planner and ATD26 virtual platform and mobile app are both wonderful tools to keep track of your choices and manage all your events. 

2. Step out of your comfort zone 

Remember that everyone in attendance is there for the same reasons you are — to grow and learn among like-minded people. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to strangers. There are few other events I can think of where everyone is as open to building new connections as at ATD. Make it a goal to introduce yourself to at least one new person every day. Before you know it, you’ll have a global network of colleagues you can connect with throughout the year. 

If you see me, please don’t hesitate to say hello or message me through the app! You can also reach me through LinkedIn, Instagram or BlueSky. My red hair makes me easy to spot in a crowd and I would love to meet you. You can find me in sessions, at my booth, or the Author Meet & Greet!

3. Attend the Keynotes and Session events

Don’t miss out on the amazing keynoters this year: FREESTYLE+, Zack Kass, Will Guidara, and Liz Wiseman. Each brings a unique and inspiring perspective on immersive learning experiences, AI, and leadership —setting the tone for a conference centered on growth and transformation. 

Beyond the keynotes, you'll have the opportunity to learn from a wealth of industry thought leaders, with sessions spanning leadership development, learning science, talent management, and the future of work. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, discover new strategies, or rethink your approach to talent development, there's something here to spark your next big idea. 

Be sure to browse the ATD Store, too, where you can find books and resources to continue your learning long after the conference ends.

Another must-do if you’re in Los Angeles is to stop by the Global Village. It’s a great place to meet new friends from around the world. Check out some of these great sessions from friends I’ve made while hanging out at the Global Village. 

Monday, May 18th 

Global Perspectives on Certification: Wondering how best to define your skills in global market? with Koko Najahara, Marouchja Boustani, and Claire Lee Hueichun

3:30 PM to 4:15 PM | The ATD Exchange, Networking Nook, Concourse Hall, Level One

Tuesday, May 19th 

The TD Team Paradox: Nurturing Your Team While Developing Everyone Else with Íñigo Sanchez-Cabezudo

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Room 308AB, Level Two

4. Stop by and visit our booth at #1547 for science-based training solutions

• Sunday, May 17th from 6  to 7:30 pm 
• Monday, May 18th from 9:30 to 11:30 am 
• Tuesday, May 19th from 10:30 to 12 pm, 1 to 2 pm and from 4 to 5 pm 
• Wednesday, May 20th from 8:30 to 10 am 

5. Pack your conference bag with your essentials

Everyone’s essentials are different, but a few things I’ve always found helpful to have on hand are a refillable water bottle, some snacks like nuts or a protein bar, phone + charger, my badge and ID, business cards, mints/gum, and comfy walking shoes (hello, Skechers!) because all those hours of standing and walking can really take its toll.

6. Take a break!

I’m admittedly quite an extrovert but all the stimulation of people to see and things to do can still be overwhelming. That’s why I make a point of finding a quiet little corner every day and grounding myself with a 10-minute meditation on my phone. For you, it might be listening to music, chatting with friends, or taking a walk outside. 

The Los Angeles Convention Center is located in the South Park neighborhood of downtown. You are within walking distance or a short Metro ride to historic landmarks like the Angel Flight Railway, GRAMMY Museum and the Grand Central Market. We learn more and focus better when we take breaks. In fact, the research shows these strategies make your breaks even more restorative:

• Something beats nothing (so even 5 mins is better than not taking a break)
• Moving beats stationary (so get up and get going)
• Social beats solo (it's more restorative, even for introverts)
• Outside beats inside (which will be beautiful in Los Angeles!)
• Fully detached beats semi-detached (so leave that phone in your bag and just let your brain take a full break)

7. Have at least 3 options for every session

While one of my previous tips was to focus on your goals (which I still stand by), I also recommend you have a few choices in mind for every time slot. As much as I would love to say that every session will be amazing, some may just miss the mark for you. Time is precious at ATD so if a session is not quite meeting your expectations, quietly slip out and pop to your next choice.

8. Complete your evaluations.

They are easy to complete, and as a speaker, I truly value the feedback I get from my tribe of talent professionals. It helps me improve and grow, and it helps the conference get better each year too. Of course, we all love compliments but constructive critiques are perhaps even more valuable — so please take the time to complete evaluations (found in the app) after each session.

9. Thank the ATD staff and volunteers

ATD is lovingly put on every year by hardworking, dedicated staff that arrive a week before all the attendees get there and are there long after we all leave. The staff is augmented by a great team of volunteers who are eager to help. So take the time to thank them for putting on this amazing event. I hear they like chocolate too!

10. Leave your own advice!

What are your best tips for attending professional conferences in general or ATD in particular? Share them in the comment box so we can all learn from one another.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon. Wishing you safe travels to Los Angeles!

Warmly,

Britt

Here’s details on where to find me at ATD!: 

Sunday, May 17, 2026 

10:30 AM on New Trends and Tools in Learning in Room 501A

In this special session hosted by Igor Cozzo of ABTD, I’ll share the "best-practices" and "next-practices" currently redefining the global talent landscape. You’ll discover exciting new ideas from organizations around the world that are successfully navigating the newest frontier in learning. Leave this mini session with strategies for developing your learners to benefit your organization

11:30 AM on Enterprise Learning Lunch and Learn: Scaling Enterprise Learning: The Shift from Engagement to Outcomes (RSVP Required) in Room 518 Level Two

Enterprise learning introduces a unique level of complexity. As organizations grow, so does the number of teams, roles, and learning needs to support. The challenge is figuring out how to scale learning in a way that’s still personal but connects to meaningful business outcomes.

With increasing pressure to show impact, simply adding more content is not enough to close skill gaps or drive performance. The playbook is changing, and a more connected approach is taking shape, where learning, data, and workflows come together to drive performance at scale.

In this session, panelists will explore how enterprise learning is evolving into a more adaptive, skills-driven system that reflects how people actually work and grow.

Monday, May 18, 2026

1:00 PM on The Chemistry of Collaboration: Using Neuroscience to Build High-Performing Teams in Room Petree, Level One

What creates the “chemistry” in high-performing teams? This session translates cutting-edge neuroscience into practical strategies for talent professionals who want to build genuinely collaborative teams. More of today's work is powered by teams, yet 86 percent of employees cite "lack of effective teamwork and collaboration" as the source of workplace failures. Learn how oxytocin, mirror neurons, and psychological safety drive effective collaboration and build trust. Discover a new framework for team assessment, and evidence-based activities that boost collaborative intelligence. Leave with brain-based strategies to transform group dynamics, reduce silos, and accelerate team performance across cultures and remote environments.

5:30-6:00 PM Author Meet & Greet in ATD Store, South Lobby, Level One