Start your morning with a continental breakfast served in the Ballroom Foyer.

Breakfast is included in your registration!

Trust is a fundamental, bottom-line issue. Without it, leaders lose teams, salespeople lose sales, and organizations lose reputation, retention of good people, relationships, and revenue. But with trust, individuals and organizations enjoy greater creativity, productivity, freedom, and results. Through David’s industry leading research, The Trust Outlook^®, and firsthand experience working with the world’s highest performing organizations, David reveals how training leaders and organizations can drive business results to become the most trusted in their industry.

Roleplay doesn’t have to be a dirty word. As one of the most powerful learning strategies, it’s an opportunity to rehearse, reflect, and refine critical skills—but it can sometimes feel awkward or forced. AI-assisted skill practice changes that by creating a safe, judgment-free space for trainers and learners to engage in repeatable scenarios and receive instant feedback. Explore how to use AI to design impactful scenarios, refine facilitation techniques, and create participant-centered experiences that drive learning and growth.

Ever noticed how much Bob Pike Group trainers incorporate flip charts? But really, who has time to create those? Anchor charts are more than decorations. They are tools that can improve your training methods and enhance participant learning. Embrace the creative process of chart-making, involve your participants, and witness the transformation as these visual aids breathe life into your trainings. You aren’t creating a masterpiece; you are creating a tool. By the end of the session you will design and customize your own anchor chart.

Does your intent to refresh training resemble a dog chasing a squirrel? Discover how to prioritize redesign, cut through distractions, and implement the most impactful elements of training. Using practical tools, this session equips trainers with actionable strategies to turn a chaotic, overloaded training portfolio into a meaningful, results-driven learning experience. This session will help you utilize a time management matrix to find the time to prioritize a training refresh; redesign training quickly by infusing it with participation that maximizes focus and creates deep engagement; and apply actionable strategies to streamline content for clarity and serious learner impact.

Transform your training from passive to powerful! In this energizing session, you’ll experience and practice activities that increase connection, belonging, and engagement, whether your audience is online, in the room, or both.

You will:

• Experience simple activities that bring learners into the conversation
• Practice adapting activities for in-person, virtual, and hybrid delivery
• Leave with ready-to-use techniques to increase interaction and connection

Eagles, Parrots, Doves and Owls, Oh My! Every individual brings unique strengths, preferences, and challenges to a group setting. The DiSC personality framework provides valuable insights into how people communicate and engage in collaborative environments. Through real-world scenarios and group activities, participants will explore the defining traits of each DiSC profile as aligned to a specific bird for easy retention; CORE activities to keep all personality types actively engaged; and best practices for creating a collaborative training environment.

Buffet style lunch included—feast on Minnesota comfort foods and healthy options together or on your own.

Music carries with it more than just feelings, it can be a powerful vehicle for information. Research has proven that music affects the body in positive ways: it massages organs, reduces stress and increases learning. This session explores how to harness music in the best way to support learning. It will explain how to use music to evoke emotion, improve timing and lay the platform to build reinforcement. It will also identify how to break pre-occupation by using non-commercial music as well as demonstrate how to simply create your own music using inexpensive software applications.

Are you ready to dip your toes into AI for training, but feeling a bit intimidated? This session is an introduction for trainers, a friendly starting point. Whether you tap into AI to design innovative training programs, automate tasks, or personalize the learning experience, it all begins with leveraging prompts. In this session, you will explore how AI is disrupting the training landscape; discover which tools to use and how to use them, and practice a step-by-step process for writing prompts.

Minute to Win It are games and activities participants must complete in under a minute. These fun energizers only require office supplies. For example, Doodle on Your Noodle, Name Dropping, or Sticky Wall. These quick games help sharpen communication, problem-solving, and quick-thinking skills—but best of all, they encourage team bonding. Discover why energizers are necessary in training along with 60 games that aid adult learning in under a minute.

Stories stick, and your training should too. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn and practice a 5-part storytelling framework to transform your delivery, deepen learner connection, and help your message live beyond the session, meeting, or event.

You will:

• Learn a practical, repeatable 5-step storytelling structure for any topic
• Practice turning dry content into stories that resonate and engage
• Gain confidence in using storytelling to enhance learning retention

Elevate your virtual training game with this high-energy session that explores the untapped potential of Microsoft Teams. Discover 10 under-utilized tools that will revolutionize your online classroom experience, from interactive polls and collaborative whiteboards to immersive breakout rooms and gamified learning. Learn how to leverage advanced features to boost engagement and accessibility. Join us for this skill-surging workshop and transform your Microsoft Teams meetings into powerful, engaging learning environments.

Transform stereotypically dull compliance training into a vibrant learning experience. We’ll uncover common pitfalls, discover creative strategies to improve content, and learn techniques to make delivery more dynamic. By embracing unpredictability, trainers will ensure compliance requirements as they identify key pitfalls that make compliance training ineffective and design visually compelling slides and purposeful activities that enhance engagement. Walk out with innovative strategies you can use to deliver your compliance content to stick.

Step inside Kassy’s virtual trainer toolbox! In this fun, fast-paced session, you’ll explore her favorite tools, tech, and strategies for creating online sessions that engage, inspire, and actually work. From interactive platforms to behind-the-scenes workflows, you’ll discover what’s worth using, and how to make it your own.

You will:

• Explore proven tools that boost energy, interaction, and results
• Learn when and why to use each engagement strategy
• Leave with fresh ideas to reimagine your next virtual session

If we know people prefer to learn differently, then why do so many trainers take the same approach over and over again? It’s normal to train from our comfort zones, but actively engaging our participants requires us to branch out and think creatively about how people love to learn. This session dives into the benefits of using a variety of participant-centered facilitation methods and demonstrates just how beneficial a multi-faceted approach to content delivery can be.

Take your training to the next level by using personality assessments to unlock deeper connections and lasting results. Popular tools like Working Genius, StrengthsFinder, DISC, and Myers-Briggs offer valuable insights into individual strengths and team dynamics, but their true impact comes from how you apply them. In this interactive session, discover how to turn assessment data into powerful, participant-centered learning experiences that drive engagement and performance. Uncover strategies to integrate personality assessments into your training; apply assessment insights to improve collaboration and tailor learning experiences; and explore practical techniques to use these tools to enhance team collaboration and improve training outcomes.

Join The Bob Pike Group team for an informal time to mix and mingle with other conference attendees and presenters.

Pack your walking shoes and join other conference goers for an early morning hike through the nature preserve. It’s the trifecta of a great conference experience – move your body, meet new friends, and inhale some fresh air! Your brain and body will thank you.

Start your morning with a continental breakfast served in the Ballroom Foyer.

Breakfast is included in your registration!

Have you ever thought about using animated videos to level up your training? Or maybe you’re just curious what you’d look like as a cartoon. Either way, this hands-on workshop is for you! We’ll walk through using the animation software Vyond - from storyboarding your ideas to setting up a trial account to building your first animated scene. No prior experience required, just bring your computer and your imagination!

The most effective trainings are narrative-based. Stories that evoke wonder, curiosity, and deep meaning. This session helps you turn your data dumps of instruction into unforgettable narratives that will endure beyond the classroom.

Join NY Times Bestselling author and award-winning storyteller, Michael Spehn for a breakout that shows how real-life experiences can turn ordinary training into something unforgettable. Experience how trainers can leverage real-life examples and lived experiences to enhance retention and learner engagement. Participants will gain practical strategies to simplify complex content, strengthen connection with their audience, and create learning that endures beyond the classroom.

Have you ever looked at your training plan and thought: "There's gotta be a better way" or "I don't know what to say, this topic is dry and the learners just need to know this stuff" or "Hmmmm, I wish I could make this more engaging" or "Ugh, I've done this same activity 500 times, but I can't think of a better one"? In this session, you'll not only walk away with a new resource that will offer you 86 different activity ideas, but you'll also see and experience some of those activities in action. Not only will we discuss which activities might be the right fit(s) for your next training session, but just as importantly, we'll also talk about why some activities actually are terrible ideas (even though they may be popular with your learners).

Say goodbye to puttering and putzing around with PowerPoint. Discover shortcuts to design slides that meet almost any training need. You’ll not only be able to design PowerPoint FAST, you’ll also add a higher degree of polish to your deck when you stick to a repeatable process. Discover how to create perfect slides to open discussions, bring people back from breaks, cut through too much content, and takeaway The Bob Pike Group’s most requested PowerPoint tool!

One of the more frustrating experiences of being a trainer is witnessing the reoccurring tragedy of “forgetting” play out right before your eyes. You spend hours prepping, give your all during the lesson, only to have learners forget what you taught within days. Studies show that learners retain information better when they reengage with the content periodically. Just like a workout, retrieval exercises our “memory muscles” and strengthens learning. Together we’ll compare retrieval practice with other learning strategies and explore training activities to make retrieval effective.

A firehose. Informative. Overwhelming. Intense. A lot. These are all words and phrases that people have shared to describe what it's like to be trained by SMEs in their organizations. If you're looking for some ways to upskill people in your organization when it comes to their training and facilitation abilities, this session will offer some ideas on how to engage trainers and SMEs. We'll begin with a discussion on some of the things that can get in the way of good training, we'll narrow down the focus on what SMEs should be able to do, and then we'll discuss an array of options - from simple job aids to full-on train-the-trainer programs.

Whether you inherited a slide deck, use a mandatory deck, or simply don’t have time to create a new slide deck, explore creative ways to change the delivery without recreating the deck itself. In this session you will discover 17 ways to change the delivery of content while still using current decks; experience a varied approach to increase engagement without the reliance on slides; and identify ways to present your points with power, not just PowerPoint.

Just as instructor-centered training sucks the energy out of the room, participant-centered training has potential to infuse energy into organizational culture. When we create an engaging experience, we promote connectivity and foster psychological safety for all attendees. See how you can help participants connect on a personal level with teambuilding activities and authentic conversation.

Have you been overcooking the content and under-cooking the experience? Are you looking for the right ingredients to build ongoing learner engagement in your training? In this highly interactive session, you will be provided with at least 12 dynamic techniques that will make you the master chef of the training room! These techniques can be easily integrated into any learning environment and are targeted at helping the presenter to attract and maintain interest and increase participation. Techniques include activities for individuals, small groups as well as the whole group, plus variations for those working in an online environment.

Training isn't just about delivering content, it's about how it's perceived and positioned inside your organization. In this session, you'll learn strategies to elevate the optics of training, align it with your business priorities, and build credibility with leaders. When training is positioned well, it moves from "optional" to "essential". 

Brain insights can help you enhance your classroom, better prepare yourself and participants, and design programs that exceed your learners’ needs and expectations every time. Apply basic concepts of brain-based learning to stimulate learners and make your content more fun to present. As you integrate contests, colors, and caricatures, or add splashes of magic, music and movie scenes, you’ll up the interest and create powerful connections in the brain that aid engagement and retention.

Whether you’re surrounded by sticky notes or juggling mental to-do lists, this workshop will teach you how to tame the chaos with Asana. Learn to organize projects, collaborate like a pro, and meet deadlines without breaking a sweat.

WARNING: Side effects may include feeling ridiculously productive, an uncontrollable urge to download Asana plugins, a sudden inexplicable craving for task boards, and the feeling of being in control of your projects.

Embark on a thrilling journey through the latest technologies reshaping the training landscape. This dynamic session will equip you with a powerful arsenal of digital tools to supercharge your virtual classrooms and propel your training skills to new heights. From personalized learning experiences to AI-powered engagement boosters, you'll discover how to harness these technologies to create unforgettable learning experiences. Emerge as a bold, innovative training professional who doesn't just adapt to the digital future—but boldly jumps ahead of the curve.

This session is packed full of tested tips for online trainers. In face-to-face training, a carefully selected game or activity will support the trainer in attracting and maintaining interest in their session. However, in many cases this involvement and interaction is removed when converted to a virtual learning pathway. As such, death by webinar is rapidly replacing death by PowerPoint! This session aims to help you to make your webinars and other virtual presentations more effective and engaging! It discusses how to deliver results before, during and after a webinar and provides a series of field-tested, yet customisable activities that allow trainers to instantly increase the impact of their live online training.

In this hands-on workshop, you'll discover an easy-to-follow framework for creating effective and impactful sessions. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or new to planning, this interactive experience will guide you through each step, helping you to organize your ideas and engage your audience. You'll have the chance to practice planning your own session, ensuring you leave with practical skills and a clear roadmap. Join Jason for this session if you want to enhance your planning techniques and make your sessions unforgettable!

Create an inviting atmosphere from the moment they enter your training room. Participants will gather "around the campfire" to explore how trainers can ignite connections with learners before, during, and after the training session. Learn strategies to win-over learners through meaningful relationships as we explore pre-training strategies that foster connection and set a positive tone; facilitate engaging in-class techniques that enhance rapport and promote social learning; and apply post-training practices to maintain relationships and reinforce learning.

This session is the ultimate "nerd out" session for training designers. In this session, we'll briefly nerd out over Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction (which is basically a road map to how learning happens), we'll simplify Gagne's model, and then we'll put that simplified (4-step) model to the test. You'll be given a training activity cookbook, loaded with scores of different activities and options to choose from, and you'll leave this session with an instructionally-sound lesson plan. If you have a training session coming up, this session might help you organize your ideas. If you're someone who likes to collaborate with others on their training design, this session will give you that opportunity.

Ever notice how some presenters are as smooth as silk while others are … not? Training is not just about conveying buckets of knowledge. It’s most effective when we link points together and communicate ideas clearly and concisely. Signaling or transitioning with words, phrases, or activities helps our audience understand the flow of the presentation.

A dynamic session dedicated to understanding assessment practices in the Australian Vocational Education and Training system. In this workshop you will explore the essential differences between formative and summative assessments, highlighting how each plays a crucial role in supporting student learning and achievement. Additionally, we’ll delve into competency-based benchmarking, enabling you to effectively measure and enhance student competencies in line with national standards. Join Jason for a range of activities and templates that will empower you to implement these assessment strategies in your own practice. Equip yourself with the tools to assess effectively and drive student success!

Executives don't ask, "Was the training engaging?" They ask, "Did it move the needle?" In this session, you'll discover how to frame training in terms of outcomes, metrics, and value that resonate with leadership. You'll gain a practical approach to linking learning initiatives to business goals. 

One trait of a great trainer is the ability to be flexible. Start your day off with some self-care in a 45-minute yoga session designed to build strength, confidence, and agility. Suitable for all fitness levels!

Start your morning with a continental breakfast served in the Ballroom Foyer.

Breakfast is included in your registration!

An interactive session where collaboration takes center stage! In this engaging workshop, we’ll dive into seven of Jason’s favourite activities designed to spark teamwork and foster networking among participants. Whether you're looking to build stronger connections or enhance creative problem-solving, these fun and dynamic activities will energize your group and promote collaboration. Come ready to connect, network, share ideas, and take away practical strategies to encourage collaboration in your own environment.

When our learners join us for a virtual or in-person training session we can lead activities and observe whether learners are making connections and learning new skills. When it comes to elearning, many designers struggle to design interactions that help their learners demonstrate that they are “getting it”? In this session we'll explore a variety of elearning interactions that go beyond basic "click next" or "click to reveal more information", we'll look as some actual examples that have been used which may just expand your idea of what's possible with elearning, and then we'll jump into an activity where you'll be challenged to brainstorm your own elearning activity ideas as part of an interactive case study.

Revolutionize your training approach by tapping into the brain's natural reward system through strategic gamification. Explore how game elements trigger dopamine release, supercharging engagement in both physical and virtual classrooms. Get hands-on experience crafting engaging activities that leverage the psychology of games, from low-tech to high-tech solutions. Leave equipped with neuroscience-backed techniques to transform your training sessions into dopamine-fueled, skill-surging experiences that learners can't resist.

Good training sessions are no longer enough—learners crave experiences that inspire, engage, and endure. But what sets an ICONIC training experience apart? This session unpacks the principles, strategies, and methodologies that turn standard training into unforgettable journeys that drive performance and leave lasting impact. Drawing on real-world examples, proven frameworks, and practical insights, this interactive session will empower you to design and deliver training that resonates long after the session concludes. Whether you’re working with virtual, face-to-face, or hybrid environments, you'll discover ways to ignite enthusiasm, build connection, and foster deep learning.

Tired of guessing whether your training is hitting the mark? Or collecting piles of data that never actually go anywhere? In this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to design assessments that are simple, purposeful, and actionable. Through hands-on activities, you’ll learn how to create assessments with the end goal in mind. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just getting started, you'll leave with practical strategies to turn your assessments into powerful tools that you look forward to using.

Break free from conventional thinking. Whether you consider yourself creative or not, AI can serve as your innovative thought partner to spark fresh ideas and engineer engaging experiences. Discover practical skillsets and mindsets that will transform your approach to training. Leave empowered to leverage AI as a tool to amplify your impact!

During this closing keynote, you will:

• Discover how to partner with AI to generate fresh ideas
• Apply practical techniques to engineer engaging experiences
• Cultivate key mindsets for maximizing AI collaboration