Lessons Over Lunch: TD/L&D Networking Event

Lessons Over Lunch: A Networking Experience for Talent Development Professionals

Whether you're new to talent development or have years of experience under your belt, this event is designed to bring professionals of all backgrounds together for meaningful connection, practical learning, and a chance to engage with the broader ATD community.

Lessons Over Lunch is a casual, story-driven gathering where TD & L&D professionals share real lessons they've learned on the job — over a bite to eat. From “what I wish I knew” moments to tips for avoiding burnout, this event offers both the warmth of peer conversation and the richness of shared professional wisdom.

What to Expect

Through a blend of structured networking and informal conversation, you’ll walk away with new connections, relatable insights, and a stronger sense of belonging in the talent development community.

Lunch is on us – Enjoy a provided meal while you connect with other professionals in a relaxed setting.

Speed Networking with a Twist – Meet a variety of attendees through short, engaging rounds guided by creative questions that go beyond job titles.

Interactive Conversations – Participate in open discussions around topics like “What I wish I knew earlier in my TD/L&D career” and “How I maintain work-life balance.”

Meet the ATD SIG Leaders – Get to know the faces behind our Special Interest Groups (SIGs), which are smaller communities within our ATD chapter designed to support members with shared interests, experiences, or goals. These groups offer targeted resources, events, and networking opportunities so you can connect more deeply with peers who “get” your specific stage or focus area.

Why Attend?

Connect Across Experience Levels – Whether you're just entering the field or you're a TD veteran, this event welcomes professionals of all ages and backgrounds. Come as you are—curious, experienced, or somewhere in between.

Walk Away with Fresh Ideas – Gain new insights, perspectives, and peer-driven advice that you can bring back to your team or personal development goals.

Discover the Power of ATD – Learn more about your local ATD chapter, including upcoming events, member benefits, and the many ways you can get involved.

This event is more than just a networking lunch — it’s a chance to grow your circle, learn from real stories, and experience what makes the ATD community so valuable. Whether you're looking for connection, inspiration, or just good conversation over lunch, we hope you’ll join us!

DETAILS:

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 the bolded categories below:

Domain(s): 

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 http://tdcapability.org.

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.