Learning 2024 Orlando Review: AI, Leadership, and Insights for L&D Professionals
Having attended several conferences in the UK over the last few years, In December I attended Learning 2024 in Orlando. I’d spoken to members of the Learning Network who had previously attended the event to get some advice before travelling and once booked managed to get some insights from other attendees.
Organised by The Learning Guild, Learning 2024 offered a comprehensive and varied conference programme for professionals in the learning and development (L&D) sector.
The event attracted L&D professionals from around the world who took part in sessions held over 4 days at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace.
Spanning four days and featuring a variety of formats, the event covered cutting-edge topics like AI, data analytics, and leadership, alongside critical discussions on organisational learning strategies and workplace culture.
A summary of the topics covered are:
- Organisational Learning Strategy
- AI for L&D
- The Business Impact of L&D
- Upskilling Leadership Skills
- Developing Workplace Culture
- Nurturing Future Leaders
- Navigating Change
- Data & Analytics
Here are the highlights and key insights from the conference.
Learning Innovation Learning Labs
The conference kicked off with an innovation learning day, which offered three distinct tracks:
- The Three Pillars of Learning and Leadership
- A Learning Leader’s Guide to AI
- The What, Why, and How of Performance Consulting
These sessions are optional and come with an additional price tag. As I was arriving the day before and had not attended the conference before I thought I’d taken the opportunity to see what was happening with AI in the US.
I attended A Learning Leader’s Guide to AI, an engaging session led by an impressive panel, including Markus Bernhardt, Josh Cavalier, Jeff Batt, Renee Boydo, George Hanshaw, Danielle Wallace, and Debbie Richards. All of who were speaking again over the following days – what was impressive is how appraochable everyone was.
This day-long programme explored:
- Ethical AI for L&D
- Preparing for AI in the workplace
- Personalising content with AI
- Using AI to improve operational efficiency
The speakers provided actionable insights and real-world examples of how AI is transforming learning and leadership, leaving attendees better prepared for the AI-driven future of work.
An interesting insight was the number of organisations that were curious about AI’s potential, but highlighted a common roadblock: their existing tech stack and infrastructure simply don’t support widespread AI adoption yet.
The session also provided me with the opportunity to network with other professionals who are using AI in the US and also share how we’d be using AI, specifically in our languages unlocked programme.
Over the next three days I had the opportunity to select from a number of sessions, all the details were available on the app and you could attend without booking. I attended sessions on Microlearning, Development and Automation, Becoming a Better Leader, Engage Your Learners by Focusing on Less and much more.
Leveraging LMS Data for Strategic Decisions
I attended an excellent session led by Bobby Deibler that delved into the power of LMS data to inform strategic decisions in organisations.
LMS data is often dismissed, especially completion rates which is too often seen as a vanity metric, not a view shared by Bobby or the team at Real Projects.
With organisations using learning management systems and Learning Experience Platforms despite articles suggesting their demise, this session unpacked how organisations can move beyond basic reporting to leverage their LMS as a data-driven decision-making tool.
Key takeaways from the session included:
- How to extract actionable insights from LMS data to inform business decisions.
- Using data to identify learning gaps and opportunities for skill development.
- Aligning LMS metrics with organisational goals, such as productivity, employee satisfaction, and retention.
- Strategies for visualising LMS data to communicate impact to leadership effectively.
Deibler’s expertise illuminated the ways data can transform how L&D teams approach training.
Attendees left with practical approaches to improving their LMS reporting capabilities, ensuring learning initiatives are tied to measurable business outcomes.
He also shared how you could eventually move to the development of your own LMS dashboard for reporting and delivery of data.
The Value of Microlearning in Corporate Training
One of the standout discussions revolved around the use of microlearning strategies to address key challenges in corporate training by Jose Hoyos.
Packed full of real examples Jose shared how he’d used Microlearning in situ. A compelling example came from an electrical contractor company tackling apprentice retention and engagement.
By implementing a combination of elearning, online resources, and in-person training, the organisation created:
- Weekly micro-lessons sent directly to employees’ phones.
- Pre-training materials that introduced topics to reduce the surprise factor.
- Post-training updates and safety reminders.
These microlearning initiatives resulted in:
- Shortened in-person training time.
- Improved employee satisfaction and retention.
- Greater operational efficiency.
The session underscored the importance of visualising the impact of microlearning for management buy-in.
Another notable insight came from a manager’s experience implementing microlearning in a corporate environment.
By creating mini-courses and embedding microlearning into daily workflows, they achieved significant improvements in employee engagement, operational efficiency, and error reduction. Their advice? Show management the results, not just the strategy, use data and real-world examples to build support for innovative training approaches.
A packed session with standing room only at the end, quite an achievement for one of the last sessions on the last day. It said a lot about the quality of the session and the conference. Lots of quality throughout all three days.
Networking
Networking at Learning 2024 stood out as a natural and integral part of the event.
Breakfast conversations evolved into collaborative discussions, with attendees sharing insights and forming connections. The lunch and break-out sessions also provide the opportunity to meet other delegates and make new connections.
Unlike some conferences where interactions feel sales-heavy, Learning 2024 fostered genuine, meaningful exchanges. People were open to share their own experiences and challenges, with the breakfast tables carefully labelled to encourage networking. A nice touch was tables for people who were attending for the first time and tables by sector.
Equally if you want some quiet space there was a quiet room and also plenty of space and rooms where you can just get away from the conference for a break.
Accessibility and Organisation
The event app played a crucial role in enhancing accessibility and convenience. Available as a web and phone app. Attendees could preview session details, connect with speakers beforehand, and even review the day’s menu.
The app’s ability to provide real-time updates and session recommendations based on interests made the conference feel incredibly personalised.
Features like detailed lunch menus and speaker profiles made the day easier to manage, ensuring that attendees could make the most of their time.
Held at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace near Disney Springs, the venue contributed significantly to the conference’s success. I’d not attended a conference with everything all in one place and wasn’t sure how it would work. It does make it all a lot easier after a busy day – but you need to make sure that you step outside to get some fresh air!
The proximity to Disney Springs provides plenty of food and shopping options. You can also use Disney buses from Disney springs if you are planning to visit one of the parks, golf courses or water parks. The location is also great and if you wanted to get away to any of the other Orlando attractions.
Staying on-site provided easier access to sessions and additional networking opportunities, you don’t need to stay on-site but it does make the experience a lot easier.
The Learning Guild staff were approachable and attentive to feedback, ensuring that every attendee’s experience was as valuable as possible.
Session Highlights
The breadth and depth of the sessions were excellent. I’ve covered this already, but there really was something for everyone. The website is really detailed so you can go through the sessions in detail before you book and arrive.
It was easy to switch sessions and if you went into a session and wanted to quickly nip out, no problem. This ensured that time was well spent.
The ability to tailor your experience to your own needs made the programme especially effective.
AI emerged as a pivotal theme throughout the conference, but it wasn’t the only theme. Discussions emphasised its role in personalising learning, improving operational efficiency, and addressing ethical considerations.
Panel sessions tackled complex issues such as bias and privacy, ensuring a balanced perspective on AI’s transformative potential. Real-world examples demonstrated how AI is being used to align learning initiatives with business goals, offering a clear roadmap for implementation.
The diversity of participants from various industries and regions enriched the discussions and added depth to the sessions. I’d met people from across the USA and Europe. It was really interesting to learn from people from other sectors, listening to the challenges that they were having.
This global perspective highlighted the universal challenges and opportunities in L&D, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Practical Advice for Future Attendees
For those planning to attend future conferences, here are some practical tips:
- Stay at the event hotel for convenience and enhanced networking opportunities. It isn’t essential, but did make things that bit easier
- Use the app to plan your sessions, connect with attendees, and manage your schedule effectively.
- Pace yourself to avoid burnout, and prioritise post-conference follow-ups to maintain the connections you’ve made.
If you are interested at speaking at the conference in 2026 then you can submit a proposal. I’d spoken to a couple of people who had spoken in 2023 and 2024 and found it to be a rewarding experience. The conference website has details on how to put forward a proposal each year. You can put forward more than one proposal and if you are accepted then you can get your conference fee for free!
Keynotes
The conference provided three keynote sessions. Simon T. Bailey, Platon, and Erica Keswin delivered thought-provoking insights on leadership, storytelling, and the human side of AI.
Each was packed with actionable advice, from how to cultivate connection in a tech-driven workplace to the power of storytelling in shaping leadership.
Its keynotes were a highlight, presenting diverse perspectives from renowned experts:
- Leading with Brilliance: Transformative Leadership for Learning Professionals
Simon T. Bailey, a professor, filmmaker, and author, inspired attendees with strategies for leadership excellence tailored to the evolving demands of L&D. - Leading with Humanity: Stories that Shape Leadership
Platon, an award-winning photographer and founder of The People’s Portfolio, shared profound narratives on leadership, connecting personal stories to global change. - Human Leadership in the Age of AI: Cultivating Connection and Engagement
Erica Keswin, a bestselling author and workplace strategist, explored how leaders can foster meaningful connections in an AI-driven world.
Final Thoughts
Learning 2024 in Orlando is an excellent conference, well organised, packed with content. Whether you were exploring AI, refining leadership skills, or seeking cultural transformation, the conference offered a wealth of insights and inspiration.
For anyone in L&D, this is the kind of event that leaves you full of ideas and equipped to face the challenges ahead. Don’t forget in the middle of this is an opportunity to take part of the night to disney. This year it was a trip to Hollywood Studios – where you could continue to network or just have a relaxing night enjoying the rides!
