The ultimate guide to learning and development conferences
January 15, 2025
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7taps Content Team
Discover top in-person and virtual L&D conferences for 2025. Get expert tips to maximize your experience and bring valuable insights back to your team.
If you’re working in L&D, you know how important it is to stay on top of emerging trends and practical solutions. Learning and development conferences offer a unique opportunity to step outside your day-to-day responsibilities and immerse yourself in fresh ideas, proven strategies, and meaningful conversations with industry peers.
Whether you’re attending in-person or virtually, these events can help you discover innovative ways to engage learners, improve outcomes, and take your professional skills to the next level. Here’s a roundup of the top L&D conferences to consider in 2024, with tips on how to make the most of your experience.
Top learning and development conferences (in-person)
With a strong focus on foundational skills, this conference is ideal for professionals looking to refine their techniques or explore new tools and trends. Don’t miss the expansive expo featuring the latest in learning technologies and solutions.
This UK-based learning and development conference is one of Europe’s leading L&D events, offering sessions on everything from digital learning design to data-driven training programs. The expo is a must-see for anyone interested in the latest innovations.
A cornerstone event for L&D professionals, ATD’s learning and development conference covers everything from talent development strategies to leadership training. With a global audience and a wide range of topics, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking a comprehensive experience.
Known as the go-to event for exploring the intersection of technology and learning, DevLearn is packed with hands-on workshops, cutting-edge tech demos, and sessions that dive into topics like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and learning experience design. It’s perfect for L&D professionals who want to integrate technology into their strategies.
🚀 7taps Pro Tip: Planning to attend DevLearn? Come prepared with examples of your microlearning courses built in 7taps. The conference's tech-savvy audience loves seeing innovative approaches to rapid learning development.
As microlearning continues to gain traction, this virtual learning and development conference explores L&D from a micro-lens: focusing on impactful, bite-sized training session. Ideal for professionals seeking scalable and innovative ways to drive learner engagement and retention (without spending tons of time or money).
This European-focused event offers a similar experience to its US counterpart but with a regional spin. From localized case studies to quick-hitting practical sessions, this is a great opportunity for professionals working in European time zones.
Virtual vs. in-person: which conference format is right for you?
Choosing the right format depends on your preferences and goals:
In-person benefits: Hands-on workshops, face-to-face networking, and the energy of being surrounded by like-minded professionals.
Virtual benefits: Accessibility, lower costs, and flexibility to learn at your own pace with on-demand recordings.
10 tips for getting the most out of your conference experience
You’ve already built a foundation in L&D. Now you’re aiming to refine your expertise, lead initiatives, and position yourself as a key player in your organization. Here’s how to get high-impact outcomes for your team (and your career) from attending a learning and development conference.
Define your goals: it seems basic, but taking some time to actually decide what you’re hoping to get out of the conference as a whole, or individual sessions, can help you make the most of your time. Because you’re not just going to the conference to meet people and have fun, right? You’re probably going to help advance your career or your skillset. So get clear on what you want.
Pay attention to emerging trends: As a leader in your field, your team will look to you as the expert on L&D—especially as the field is rapidly evolving. That’s why spending some time on future-oriented topics—like AI in learning or microlearning strategies (which we’ve seen drive measurable improvement for 81% of our customers in just 3 months)—can pay dividends.
Prepare for certification opportunities: Some conferences, like DevLearn offer certification programs. Consider attending these to demonstrate professional growth. (And if you do, make sure you’ve prepped a bit on that topic before you show up.)
Focus on pain points: Identify pain points your team is facing—like learner engagement or upskilling challenges—and prioritize sessions that offer actionable solutions.
Don’t write off panels: These sessions often provide concrete examples of how other organizations are tackling similar challenges. ✅ Pro Tip (In-Person): Leave room to explore “hidden gems” like sessions from smaller, lesser-known speakers—they often share unique, hands-on insights. ✅ Pro Tip (Virtual): Bookmark or flag sessions you can’t attend live for later viewing, especially if they align with your team’s priorities.
Make time for intentional networking: Networking isn’t just about expanding your circle—it’s about finding collaborators, mentors, and advocates. Connect with professionals who have expertise in areas you want to grow. Also, consider opportunities for partnerships or collabs. ✅ Pro Tip (In-Person): Attend networking mixers, but also strike up conversations during downtime—lines for coffee or seating areas are prime spots. ✅ Pro Tip (Virtual): Use chat functions during sessions to engage with attendees and follow up with LinkedIn invites post-event.
Consider leadership or business goals: Your organization likely looks to you for innovative ideas and measurable results. And many learning and development conferences feature sessions on managing change, influencing stakeholders, and leading with data—all of which could give you valuable ideas to help influence growth at your org.
Don’t forget the expo hall: It’s not just for fun swag. You can find new tools (or innovative uses for existing ones) and you often have the chance to ask specific questions about your team’s challenges or needs. ✅ Pro Tip: Look for tools that integrate well with your existing solutions. For example, 7taps courses can be easily embedded in your LMS or shared via simple links.
Create a post-conference plan: Learning is fun, but application is where the magic happens. Consider creating a concise slide deck of the most actionable or inspiring ideas—with 7taps you can quickly create microlearning modules to share key takeaways with your team or leadership. (This is a sure way to make sure your boss always has budget for you to attend these conferences in the future!) ✅ Pro Tip: Develop a pilot program. Choose one idea or technology you learned about and create a proposal for a high-impact project that aligns with your organization’s goals—this can set you apart as a proactive leader.
Elevate you personal or professional brand: Attending a conference isn’t just about learning; it’s about amplifying your personal and professional brand. Share thoughtful recaps on LinkedIn, tagging speakers and attendees to build your network and showcase your expertise. And stay connected with new contacts by joining communities (like this one) to exchange insights and best practices. ✅ Pro Tip: Create a quick microlearning course in 7taps to share your top conference takeaways in your communities. With features like interactive polls and knowledge checks, you can even gather feedback on which ideas resonate most with your peers.
Why attend a learning and development conference in 2025?
L&D professionals are tasked with creating impactful learning experiences, often under tight deadlines and evolving challenges. L&D conferences provide the space to recharge, reflect, and gain fresh ideas you can take back to your team. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your skills, implement cutting-edge technology, or expand your network, the events listed here are excellent opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
Before you hop off to book your next learning and development conference ticket, I’ve got one bonus tip for you—because your job requires you to not just be on top of the latest L&D methods, but also the latest L&D tools. Consider adding microlearning to your L&D toolkit. Try 7taps free to create engaging, mobile-friendly courses that will impress your fellow conference attendees and, more importantly, deliver results.
