I just came back inside from walking my dog. It’s 24 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and WINDY. It was a highly unpleasant experience, but I got through it by repeating a warm mantra to myself.
“Orlando in 5 days…. Orlando in 5 days…”
In truth, the warmth is a secondary reason for me to be looking forward to being in Orlando. What I’m really excited about is all the learning that’s going to be taking place at the Learning Solutions Conference and Expo and Ecosystem 2014.
It’s going to be a busy few days in Disney, with lots of opportunities to connect and learn. If you’re attending one of the conferences, please stop by and say hi. Here’s where you can find me at the event.
Pre-Conference Meet-Ups
I’ll be bouncing around providing support for the various pre-conference workshops that are taking place Monday and Tuesday, as well as taking in some meetings. Of the days I’m in Orlando, these are the ones I have the most scheduling flexibility. If you’d like to schedule some time to chat in Orlando, these would be good days to target.
Orientation (Tuesday 5:00 – 6:00)
If you’re new to Learning Solutions or Ecosystem 2014, consider joining us for Newcomer’s Orientation. I’ll be sharing tips for getting the most out of your conference experience.
WEDNESDAY 3/19
Soren Kaplan Keynote (8:30 – 10:00)
The conference kicks off with Soren Kaplan exploring innovation. I look forward to kicking off three great days of learning by sharing how important innovation is to the future of learning.
Redefining Training via Technology: Examples and Perspectives (10:45 – 11:45)
I’ll be moderating a panel exploring how organizations are using technology for learning, and how the expectations organizations for training are being redefined by innovation.
Meet & Greet at the Guild Booth (12:00 – 1:00)
Have questions about attending or speaking at a Guild event? I’ll be at the booth during our lunch break, so stop by hi.
The Expo Welcome Reception (5:00 – 6:30)
I’ll be around throughout the reception. Come on down and share a drink with me.
The Game Crawl (6:30 – 8:00)
I love games, so you can definitely expect to see me at the Game Crawl playing host and playing games.
THURSDAY 3/20
Douglas Merrill Keynote
Day 2 of the conference kicks off with Douglas Merrill demystifying big data as it relates to learning. In addition to sharing some context related to Doug’s keynote, I’ll also be sharing information about getting involved in the Guild community and talking about the efforts of LINGOs.
Google Glass—the Experience, the Reaction, the Possibilities (10:45 – 11:45)
participating in the Glass Explorer program for almost a year now. Join me for an exploration of Google Glass, including what it does and what it can mean for learning.
Meet & Greet at the Guild Booth (12:00 – 1:00)
Have questions about attending or speaking at a Guild event? I’ll be at the booth during our lunch break, so stop by and say hi.
What’s Next for Learning Technology? (2:30 – 3:30)
On the Ecosystem 2014 program, I’ll be moderating a panel exploring the various technologies used to support organizational learning, including what they can do today, what they need to do tomorrow, and how these technologies are interconnected.
Why You Need a PLN, and How to Build One (3:45 – 4:45)
I believe Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) are critical for all people working in our industry. In this session we’ll explore what a PLN is, why it’s important, how you can build one, and how PLNs help organizational learning.
SolutionFest (4:45 – 6:45)
SolutionFest is one of my personal favorite parts of the conference, so you can definitely find me there connecting with attendees and visiting with presenters.
#Lrnchat LIVE! (8:30 – 9:30)
I love #lrnchat, and I love having the opportunity to connect with people from the online chat in person. If you’ve never participated in a Twitter chat, this is a great way to try one out.
FRIDAY 3/21
How to Write a Winning Conference Speaking Proposal
If you’ve ever considered speaking at a conference, I encourage you to join this morning buzz discussion and learn how to write a speaking proposal that will earn you a slot on a conference program.
Cathy Davidson Keynote
I find brain science fascinating, so I’m really looking forward to this keynote. In addition to introducing Cathy, I’ll be sharing the SolutionFest awards and contextualizing all of the lessons from the conference.
Come By and Say Hi
It’s going to be a fun and exciting week in Orlando. My schedule might shift a bit here and there based on the needs of the event, so if you’d like to connect with me in Orlando the best bet is to contact me ahead of time and schedule some time. If not, please stop by one of my sessions, or stop me in the hallway. I’m looking forward to connecting with old and new friends alike.
One request: Let’s try to connect outside so I can soak up some sun and warmth. Now if you’ll excuse me, somebody is looking to drag me back out into the cold and wind.
See you in Orlando!
