Recent research concludes: "Although fun features may have value because they lead to positive trainee reactions, they may also lead to instrumental gains, such as greater knowledge and skill acquisition if properly incorporated." It's that "properly incorporated" qualifier that we'll discuss in this month's PowerTable. 

In the May 2025 issue of TD at Work, Paige Parker Salazar explores how "fun design elements can facilitate the attainment of the instructor's desired learning outcomes." 

For this session, we're piloting a virtual roundtable approach. We'll discuss psychological safety, types of fun and engaging activities that can be applied in your next course, and more.

• Do you believe fun detracts from, or supports, your learning objectives?
• How have you incorporated fun elements into your training programs?

Join us January 15, 2026 to share your thoughts and connect with your L&D peers in the Chapter's first fun and engaging conversation of the new year!

ATDOC Member Registration Link

PowerTable Format:

For each PowerTable session, ATD-Orange County Board members will facilitate the discussion around a designated TD @ Work issue.

During our roundtable discussion, each attendee will be encouraged to share their insights on the given TD @ Work topic. 

All ideas are welcome. Your thoughts are encouraged.  

Do you need to be a PowerMember to attend?

Not really. But it helps. The issue being discussed is $15 without an ATD National membership.  

However: You do need to be an ATD Orange County member.

With most of our work continuing to happen on screen—in fact, the 2024 ATD State of the Industry reports that 68% of organizations are using live, instructor-led virtual classrooms and 55% of organizations are using hybrid learning solutions—people need to show up in virtual settings stronger than ever. Even the smallest of adjustments in how we show up on screen can completely change how people respond to us.

This session is a live, interactive “virtual communication clinic” — no stale PowerPoint slides, just practical tools and real-time application.

Participants will explore 2–3 simple techniques to help them show up more clearly, confidently, and effectively in virtual meetings and presentations. These techniques are based on subtle but powerful habits that build trust and authority on screen — and they’re immediately usable.

A quick hello from Francisco Ramirez.

The format is high-energy and hands-on. Whether attendees are delivering feedback, leading teams, or speaking under pressure, they’ll walk away with tangible skills they can apply the very same day.

 

By the end of this session, participants will:

- Apply small but high-impact shifts to project presence and clarity on screen

- Reflect on their current virtual habits — and what to adjust immediately

- Use practical tools to engage more effectively in meetings, team check-ins, and high-stakes presentations

Which comes first, the training or the technology?

At ATD Orange County, we believe solid adult learning principles and instructional design best practices must come before the technological advances that promise wonders for the talent development initiatives. Which is why we're intrigued at ATD National's newest research report: The Human-Tech Interface: Finding the Right Blend in Learning Design.

This one-hour webinar will include findings from TD professionals and from working Americans. Both groups agree that the way training is delivered really impacts how safe, motivated, and trusting people feel. We’ll discuss the differences between human-facilitated learning, asynchronous digital learning, and blended learning. We’ll also explore what personalized learning means for working Americans and their expectations. Finally, we’ll discuss how organizations are embracing learner-facing AI tools.

Register for this event at webinars.td.org.

In the quest to cultivate a vibrant corporate culture, many workplaces adopt trendy perks—think ping pong tables, kombucha on tap, and kindergarten-styles office spaces. Ones that mimic the offices of Silicon Valley. Yet these fancy perks can create issues. These perks don't cater to all employees and can promote cultures of forced fun. 

There is a better way to create a more vibrant culture. Join Paul Lopushinsky, founder of Playficient, for a unique session on the Eight Play Personalities. 

Learning Objectives:

• Learn what the Eight Play Personalities are and how they apply to your own life. 
• Learn why most organizations only cater to 1-3 of the Eight Play Personalities.
• Learn how to integrate the Eight Play Personalities into the workplace.
• Discover how to identify and celebrate the Play Personalities within your team. 

We'll start with Paul sharing the initial spark behind the Eight Play Personalities. Then, our program manager will lead a candid, facilitated discussion, digging into the practical steps and strategic decisions involved in bringing this program to life. We'll explore questions like:

• What was the catalyst that prompted Paul to turn his "big idea" into a tangible program?

• How did he define his audience and design clear objectives for the program?

• What challenges did he encounter during development, and how did he overcome them?

• What was his process for testing, refining, and eventually marketing the Eight Play Personalities program?

About Our Interviewee

Paul Lopushinsky (Law-puh-shin-ski) is the founder of Playficient, a consultancy helping organizations create better employee experiences.

Areas of focus for Playficient include the following:

• Employee Journey Mapping for identifying the strengths and shortcomings of the employee experience
• Utilizing the Eight Play Personalities to create better work cultures that don't rely on fancy office perks or forced fun 

Paul has worked with organizations and associations such as Ronald McDonald House, The British Columbia Lottery Corporation, UXPressia, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Association for Talent Development and Culture Amp.

Paul’s work has been featured in the BBC, Harvard Business Review, Association for Talent Development, and People Managing People. 

Despite being Canadian, Paul can name all American Presidents in order. 

ATD Capability Model

Each ATD-OC Learning Event will be aligned to at least one Talent Development  Capability, as identified by ATD National.

This program aligns with:

To find out more about the ATD Capability Model for the Training and Development Profession, visit http://tdcapability.org.

Earn Professional Professional Development Points

This program is worth .5 Professional Development points.
Find out more about APTD/CPTD Certifications here.

Return to Top

Accessibility

ATDOC events are accessible to all participants. If you have questions or require special accommodations or auxiliary aid related to a disability for you to participate in the event, please notify us at least three weeks in advance by message to ocoffice@atdoc.org, with subject line "ADA Accommodations," outlining your needs and request for accommodation.

We will make every effort to work with you to accommodate your need.

Return to Top

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO RELEASE

By registering for this event, I hereby give the Association for Talent Development, Orange County Chapter, its clients, agents, and assigns, full permission to use, publish and copyright photographic images, film images, video images, sound recordings, and any reproductions from these materials of me and/or my property or any part thereof, either in conjunction with or without using my name, and make changes or alterations therein and/or alterations thereto Worldwide in perpetuity. Some places these images and recordings may be used and posted include, but are not limited to, the Internet, emails, social media, etc.

If I do not provide permission, I understand I will not activate my web camera during the session.

Real Learning.    Real Results.    Real People.

Total Trainer: Delivering Training

4 Saturdays | Feb 28, March 07, 14, and 28 | 8:30 AM - 1 PM

Total Trainer:  Delivering Training is fun, practical and hands-on. With 50% of the course devoted to practice and feedback, time flies as you develop skills. 

Designed and led by senior training professionals from ATD-Orange County, this course is designed for Trainers and Presenters who:  

The course works great for both experienced and inexperienced trainers and presenters. Those less-experienced focus on developing fundamental skills, while the more-experienced take action on subtle tips and techniques that take their skills to the next level.

What’s In It for Me? (WIIFM)

You’ll develop these skills to take back to the workplace:

Topics include: Key Delivery Skills Engaging Your Audience Presentation Structure Planning & Preparation Advanced Facilitation Skills Storytelling Active Learning Techniques Putting it All Together

4 Saturdays: Feb 28 Mar 7 Mar 14  Mar 28  8:30 AM - 1 PM

Pricing:

Register by: Thursday, February 12 to save $100 off these prices!

Members: $695 NonMembers: $795 Special Offer: Non-members can add membership for an additional $10 when registering. Affiliates: $745 (For members of other ATD chapters.  NOTE: ATD Global members are NOT eligible for the affiliate rate.) Did you take Creating Training in September? Contact the office for special pricing!

Save with Early BUNDLED Pricing!

Enroll for BOTH Total Trainer courses at once (Delivering Training AND Creating Training ), and receive an additional $100 discount, as well as early-bird discounts off both programs.

	Full Price	Discounted price for both classes ($100 off) + 2 Early Bird Discounts ($200 off)
Members	$1,390	$1,090
Non-Members	$1,590	$1,290
Affiliates	$1,490	$1,190

Contact the office, if you are interested in the Bundle: 
ocoffice@atdoc.org or 714-527-4785

Earn Professional Professional Development Points

Each day of the series is worth 4 Professional Development points.
Find out more about APTD/CPTD Certifications here.

Total Trainer's toolbox is the ADDIE Model ‐‐ a methodology of design that incorporates the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a training intervention. Learn more about the ADDIE Model at here.

How this series aligns to the ATD Competency Model:

Each ATD-OC Learning Event will be aligned to at least one Talent Development  Capability, as identified by ATD National.

This program aligns with:

Domain(s): Developing Professional Capability

Capability(s): 

Talent development professionals should be able to implement a multilevel, systematic method for gathering, analyzing, and reporting on information about the effectiveness and effort of learning programs.

To find out more about the ATD Capability Model for the Training and Development Profession, visit https://www.td.org/capability-model.

For more information, contact Lynn Nissen at profdevttu@atdoc.org

Cancellation/Refund deadline is February 12
No shows will be charged in full.

There's a lot of hype about the potential partnership between AI and L&D. What's the reality?

This free, half-day event offers you the opportunity to see live demos from five leading learning tech solutions. Each 30-minute demo allows you to see the solution in action, ask questions, and request additional information. Selecting new technologies for your organization is a tough decision and a big investment. Let ATD Demo Day help you learn about the benefits of a variety of options at once.

Who is it for?

Anyone who is currently searching for innovative solutions, interested in transforming their L&D workflow with generative AI, or scaling and automating enterprise training programs.

Register for this event is available on webinars.td.org.

AI. Green technology. Augmented reality. All these topics are popular nowadays. Companies are either using them directly or developing products that incorporate them. Organizations need people who have the aptitude to learn technically complex topics quickly. The technical staff are these people. For a variety of reasons, though, technical professionals can struggle with effectively communicating these topics, especially to non-technical audiences.

Talent Development leaders can help overcome this challenge by developing speaker training programs for the technical staff.

In this session, we will discuss why developing a speaker program makes sense, what developing a speaker program entails, and how to track the usefulness of the program.

This session is for Talent Development professionals who recognize the issue of their technical staff struggling to convey technical information that others in the organization can understand and appreciate and are open to the idea of establishing speaker training programs to address the issue.

By the end of this session, members will be able to:

1. Identify and address specific challenges technical staff face in public speaking.
2. Discover effective methods for providing opportunities to practice speaking and get constructive feedback.
3. Understand the importance of tracking progress and measuring the impact of speaker training programs.
4. Receive reasons to implement speaker training programs for the technical staff.

Agenda:

6:00 PM — Welcome / Informal Networking 

6:10 PM — Structured Networking

6:25 PM — A Little Chapter Business

6:30 PM — Main Event

7:30 PM — Closing/Informal Networking

What To Bring

The Administrivia

Your assignment: gather 5 new connections at ATD International Conference and Exposition 2026.

The ATD International Conference and Exposition (ICE) is landing in our backyard (Los Angeles), and it represents a massive investment in your professional development.

But: An investment in skills without an investment in relationships is incomplete.  

Yet, many of us dread the "work" in "network." Swapping business cards or reciting a rehearsed elevator pitch feels transactional, not relational. And frankly, it doesn't work. You end up with a pocket full of cards from people you don't actually know.

Tonight, we are going to explore how to strip away the corporate veneer and show up as your genuine self.

Embrace Serendipity: Break the ice and open up to chance connections by dropping preconceived notions.

Understand Authenticity: Understand why being authentic is crucial for building genuine, long-lasting trust and authority in your network.

Refine the Connection: Apply this authenticity to a core networking tool—the elevator pitch—making it powerful and memorable because it's genuinely you.

By the end of this session, members will be able to:

1. Identify 

Agenda:

6:00 PM — Welcome / Informal Networking 

6:10 PM — Structured Networking

6:30 PM — Main Event

7:00 PM — Structured Networking

7:30 PM — Closing/Informal Networking

What To Bring

The Administrivia

RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACKYARD!!!

We expect to have a great turnout
from the local chapters!

Attend and expand your local L&D network at a discounted rate.

See below how to save $500!

ATD26 - International Conference & Exposition

Collective Insights. Lifelong Learning.

For nearly 80 years, the Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD) has hosted conferences to educate and inspire professionals in the talent development field. From the very first conference held in Chicago in 1945 which drew 56 attendees to today’s international event, learning and development professionals have come to expect only the best from ATD conferences.

Our commitment to providing world-class speakers, thought leadership, and unprecedented networking and collaboration opportunities make the ATD International Conference & Exposition the premier event for our field. More than 13,000 professionals from 80+ countries rely on ATD’s annual conference to learn about trends and best practices, discover new tools and solutions at the largest EXPO for training and development practitioners, and share ideas with peers who are committed to helping create a world that works better.

No other L&D conference offers the depth and breadth of programming, EXPO suppliers, and networking that ATD’s international conference offers. Discover it for yourself!

ATD Members Save BIG!

JOIN OUR CHAPTER TEAM!

Indicate your interest by registering on this page!

Sign up on this page for the Chapter Team and we'll send you a the Discount Code. Power members save even more.

Step #1: "Register" on this page to indicate here that you'd like to be part of the group and get your discount code.

Step #2: Please register for the conference at your appropriate level and use your discount code at https://atdconference.td.org/

IMPORTANT: Register early to lock in the cheapest rate.

Below are the chapter team rates compared to regular rates. 

Please note: if you are a chapter member only and not also an ATD National Member, the non-member rate applies.

If you already registered, instructions are in the confirmation email to get a pro-rated refund for the difference from the appropriate group rate.

Registration is Now Open!

Save $500!! Below were the Chapter Team rates for 2026:

	If you are a member of both ATD National & the OC Chapter...** You pay:	If you are a member of the OC Chapter only...* You Pay:
Early Bird Rate (Ends Dec 31)	$1595 $2095	$1995 $2495
Preferred Rate (Ends Feb 27)	$1795 $2295	$2195 $2695
Advanced Rate (Ends April 11)	$1895 $2395	$2195 $2795
Standard Rate (Ends May 17)	$1995 $2495	$2395 $2895
Onsite	$2095 $2595	$2495 $2995

*Chapter members: Join ATD National as a Plower Member for $269 and get a net savings of $131. Call the office for details: 714.527.4785!

**National members: Join the ATD-Orange County chapter as a power member for $85 and get a net savings of  $415. Call the office for details: 714.527.4785!

Find out more about ATD26 and register!

Be sure to use chapter code CH8091.

Didn't Go to ICE? No Problem! Let's Unpack the Insights Together!

The ATD International Conference and Exposition (ICE) is a whirlwind of "Collective Insights" and a launchpad for "Lifelong Learning." But let's be real, soaking up all that knowledge is one thing; figuring out how to actually use it in your day-to-day as a learning and development professional is another. And what if you couldn't make it to ICE this year? You shouldn't miss out on the valuable takeaways!

That's why ATD Orange County is excited to host a Virtual Post-ICE Roundtable. Think of it as your pass to "aha!" moments, practical strategies, and emerging trends from the conference, all from the comfort of your own space.

Why This Roundtable? It's More Than Just a Recap!

We know you're busy, and there are plenty of online summaries out there. But this isn't just another recap. This is your chance to really dig into what "Collective Insights" from a global stage mean for your work right here in Orange County. How do those big-picture ideas translate into actionable strategies for your team, your organization, and your professional growth?

This roundtable is where the magic of "Lifelong Learning" truly happens. It's about connecting the dots, discussing challenges, and focusing on the practical application of knowledge within a supportive community of your peers.  It's essential for your continuous professional development, and we're making it accessible to everyone.

How We'll Make It Work (No Boring Lectures Here!)

We're leveraging Zoom to create a dynamic, collaborative learning environment. Forget passive presentations! This is an active dialogue designed for you to:

• Share Your Key Takeaways: If you attended ICE, what resonated most with you? What surprising insights did you gain? This is your moment to share and spark new conversations.
• Discuss Practical Applications: How do you see yourself applying what you learned (or what you could learn!)? What challenges do you anticipate in implementing new ideas, and how can our community help you overcome them?
• Explore New Ideas Collectively: This is a fantastic opportunity to brainstorm and refine new approaches based on the conference's overarching themes. You might just find the solution you've been looking for from a fellow ATD-OC member!

What You Can Expect: Real Insights, Real Connections

This virtual roundtable is a dedicated space for real-world application of the ideas sparked at ICE. You'll gain diverse perspectives from your peers, hear about sessions you might have missed, and get answers to your questions in a way that generic online resources simply can't provide.

Unlike broad online summaries, this is your chance to engage with a community of talent development professionals who truly understand your local context and challenges. It's about making those "Collective Insights" genuinely collective and accelerating your "Lifelong Learning" journey with the support of your ATD-OC community.

If the only LMS you're familiar with is either Cornerstone or SAP/Successfactors, you're missing out on innovative options that are designed to meet the specific needs of learning organizations.

On January 26, the Training and Technology SIG will join ATD National as they check out live demos from five leading learning management systems (LMS). Each 30-minute demo allows us to see the platform in action, ask questions, and request additional information. Selecting an LMS is a tough decision and a big investment. Let ATD Demo Day help you learn about the benefits of a variety of options at once.

Who is it for?

Anyone who is currently looking for a new LMS, soon to be in the market for a new LMS, or simply interested in staying current on the latest LMS suppliers and features. Whether you're looking to streamline training, scale L&D programs, or are seeking more sophisticated analytics, customizations, and personalization features, join us to discover the latest updates from these leading LMS providers. 

Register for this event is available on webinars.td.org.