Industry conferences can sometimes be overwhelming, especially for newcomers. More than 4,000 learning professionals are expected to converge soon at The Mirage in Las Vegas for The eLearning Guild’s DevLearn 2019 Conference & Expo. A dozen savvy DevLearn Ambassadors are available to help first-timers navigate the complexities.
“Conference Ambassadors are passionate and knowledgeable community members who can help people who are new to the conference and/or at the event on their own feel welcome. They’re a friendly face that can answer the occasional attendee question, and also help share their conference know-how both before and during the event,” says Bianca Woods, senior programming manager for The Guild.
All of the Ambassadors are all DevLearn veterans who are excited to share tips to help conference attendees make the most of their experience.
You can virtually “meet” Ambassadors in several ways prior to DevLearn. Log onto Zoom for an informal Q&A on Wednesday, October 16, from 12:30-1 pm Eastern, and get your questions answered before leaving for Vegas. You can also visit the Guild’s YouTube channel, where many of the Ambassadors share practical tips for first-timers.
Prior to your arrival, be sure to download the free event app. You can use the app during DevLearn to ask questions. Go to the More section in the bottom menu, choose Discussion Channels, and type out your inquiry. The app will be monitored by Ambassadors and Guild staff.
Onsite at DevLearn, you can meet the Ambassadors in person. You will recognize them because they will all be sporting orangey-gold ribbons on their name tag badges. Many will participate in a Morning Buzz orientation on Wednesday, October 23, from 7:30-8:15 am., as well as a Morning Buzz session about bringing the conference back to work on Friday, October 25. They will be formally introduced before the opening keynote presentation on Wednesday.
If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask a DevLearn19 Ambassador. But even if you don’t require assistance, don’t hesitate to say hello if you see an Ambassador strolling by. They are eager to meet you!
Meet our DevLearn19 Ambassadors
Meg Bertapelle
Principal Instructional Designer, Instructional Design & Technology Department , Intuitive Surgical
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
The people! I get to connect in person with people who “get it” – and get me! It’s so fun to share and learn from other practitioners in an energetic and supportive environment —no pressure of deadlines and business expectations for the week—just learning and generating ideas.
How did you get into learning?
I was in a different industry, and as I became a “senior” member of my team, I became the go-to trainer for new members. When the “dot com” bubble burst and I started getting concerned about getting laid off, it triggered more reflection on what I truly enjoyed— and that was the training part of my job. I never did get laid off from that job, but I went back to school for a master’s degree in instructional design.
Who inspires you?
Creative people who make awesome stuff! I love getting to see projects that people have been able to create as instructional designers and trainers— like at case study sessions, DemoFest, and Hyperdrive. It’s incredibly inspiring to see their successes (and failures along the way).
Stephanie Daul
Independent learning consultant
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
The energy! I love the energy around the speakers, the conversations in the halls and over lunch and dinner, and the sharing of ideas. I can’t wait to try the new things I learn, and tend to start new projects even before the conference is over.
How did you get into learning?
I started my career as a middle school teacher and after 10 years of going to really bad in-services and workshops, I decided I could create something that was a lot more engaging and meaningful. I left teaching and entered corporate life. After going back to school, I landed a job as an instructional designer/developer. Four years ago I took another big leap of faith and went out on my own as a consultant.
Who inspires you?
A colleague took me to my first DevLearn 14 years ago, and I’ve only missed one since! He inspired me to believe in myself, step out of my comfort zone, and think of possibilities not probabilities. I’m inspired by people who have a passion for what they do and look to the future to see the difference we can all make.
Diane Elkins
Co-founder, Artisan E-Learning
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
My favorite part of DevLearn is DemoFest! So much inspiration per square foot!
How did you get into learning?
Like many people, I fell into this field by accident. I started out as a subject-matter expert and found I loved helping other people get better at what they do.
Who inspires you?
This may sound corny, but I get inspired by our learners. I think about some guy named Joe on some random Tuesday in November who is trying to figure out what he needs to do. I want to help him.
Nick Floro
Learning Architect and CEO, Sealworks Interactive Studios
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
For me, the keynotes are always a significant part of DevLearn. I find them to be inspiring and a way to hear how and what the speaker is doing to create ripples and change the way we think. I always walk away with dozens of ideas and love applying, rethinking, and sharing with my team.
How did you get into learning?
I’m going to have to give credit to my mom, Angie, who was a first-grade teacher for 20+ years. I remember when I had a day off, we would get to go to her classroom and play a game, help students, or do a creative project together.
Who inspires you?
I look everywhere for inspiration—from reading, entertainment, outside our fields, family—and think about what they are doing to connect. Steve Jobs and Apple have always inspired me. I found Steve’s keynotes an inspiration, and how Apple delivers the perfect blend of technology and design. When a product can disappear and help you to focus on your goal, then you have created something magical.
Tony Isaac
Manager, Sales Performance Improvement, Insperity
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
The networking and opportunity to meet new people.
How did you get into learning?
Long story, but after doing sales for many years, Insperity made me an offer I couldn’t refuse to help them with the development of their sales training program.
Who inspires you?
I find inspiration from many sources; music, art, reading, people who think outside the norm.
Karl Kapp
Professor of Instructional Technology and Director of the Institute for Interactive Technologies, Bloomsburg University
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
I usually bring a group of students from our master's program to DevLearn, and my favorite part is introducing the students to the event. For most it's their first industry conference and they are in awe. For others, it's their first time to Las Vegas, or even on an airplane. DevLearn opens them up to realizing the vast world that awaits them and to the opportunities available in an industry in which they are about play an integral role.
How did you get into learning?
I got into learning accidentally. I got a summer internship at a company in my hometown...it was an internship near my house so that's all I cared about at the time. It turns out they did instructional technology and my experience during the internship literally changed the direction of my professional life. It got me into the field of learning and development, which I didn't even know existed until I got that internship!
Who inspires you?
I have a former student who is battling cancer; she's young and energetic and a fighter. Her Facebook status is "Fighting Cancer" and she is an inspiration every day. What she goes through in terms of treatments and emotional highs and lows, what she bravely reports on FB and overcomes on a regular basis is truly inspirational. She's awesome.
Kelli Klee
Learning & Development Specialist, CSL Plasma
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
My favorite part by far is connecting with others—discussions in the pre-conference programs, during the sessions, and of course DemoFest is amazing to learn from others!
How did you get into learning?
Training has always been a part of me as a 4-H trainer in my youth. In the business world I started as a designated trainer for technical skills, then transitioned to traveling trainer, and finally into the corporate training programs.
Who inspires you?
The Learner— Seeing the “light bulb” turn on when they “get it” is always a great inspiration to continue to help others.
Tracy Parish
Education Technology Specialist, Southlake Regional Health Centre
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
The keynotes, sessions, demonstrations, workshops, and Expo Hall are all wonderful and great sources of information and learning opportunities, however for me, it’s the people that really make the event! The opportunity to meet, connect, and network with so many people is what I find most invaluable about the whole event. I’ve met people from all around the world. Many I connect with frequently about learning and a few others we’ve bonded over other interests and hobbies that we have in common.
How did you get into learning?
I’m an ‘accidental instructional designer’, just as Cammy Bean wrote in her book of the same title. When I wrapped up an annoying accounting career I found a position in a training department. Early in that position, between not understanding the “language” my co-workers were speaking and the opportunity to facilitate some in-class sessions lead me on my own new learning path. I started with online distance courses and loved the medium so much that I continued to hone my own skills, knowledge, and practice. What’s great about those in learning is that we never seem to stop seeking opportunities to learn, and I’m no different.
Who inspires you?
There are so many people in all sorts of industries that I can think of, and each inspires me in different ways for different reasons. If I have to pick just one person that recently inspired me, I will pick my sister, who inspires me with her creativity. She’s really skilled and always has been in the arts. She has an impeccable eye for design. In the home, fashion, or crafts...everything she creates looks like a very high-end piece of art. I would love to have a fraction of her design aesthetic.
Debbie Richards
President, Creative Interactive Ideas
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
I love DemoFest and plan on attending Thursday afternoon. It’s like a giant science fair but with adult beverages! Get inspired by elearning participants who showcase learning solutions and tools. And plan on participating next year!
How did you get into learning? And who inspires you?
As a former robotics programmer, I am inspired by FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the world’s leading child-serving nonprofit advancing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). FIRST programs inspire innovation and leadership through engaging, hands-on robotics challenges developed to ignite curiosity and passion in students in grades K-12.
Tim Slade
Speaker, author, and award-winning eLearning designer, TimSlade.com
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
I absolutely LOVE DemoFest. Having participated (and won) several times, DemoFest is a great opportunity to see what others are doing and get inspiration for your own projects.
How did you get into learning?
I fell into learning completely by accident. I used to catch shoplifters for a living, and my boss suggested I should teach others how to catch shoplifters. Before I knew it, I was developing eLearning courses on loss prevention. The rest is history.
Who inspires you?
Those people who don't let their insecurities hold them back. It took me way too long to stop letting my inner voice dictate what risks and opportunities I would and wouldn't take.
Mike Taylor
Consultant, Change4Growth
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
Without a doubt my favorite part of DevLearn is the opportunity to meet so many amazingly smart, talented, and nice people in our field who are doing such cool things.
How did you get into learning?
I have always been energized by the process of learning. My first foray into the learning field came when I took an adult education teaching job. I realized how much I loved helping people learn and I'm grateful every day to be in this field.
Who inspires you?
Well, there are way too many to list so I'll just have to hit a few highlights and hope that I see you in person to share the rest. For starters, The eLearning Guild has some pretty inspiring people on staff: Mark Britz, Bianca Woods, Jane Bozarth, and David Kelly are great role models for sharing and promoting the development of the learning field. A few other favorites of mine include Arun Pradhan, Bianca Baumann, David Anderson, Richard Goring, and Shannon Tipton.
Kevin Thorn
Chief NuggetHead and Owner, NuggetHead Studioz
What’s your favorite part of DevLearn?
DemoFest… although the overall experience is what makes DevLearn the crown conference in the learning & development industry. Each part of DevLearn is a standalone experience; from keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, Expo Hall, Morning Buzz sessions, and networking with friends and colleagues. I see DemoFest as the capstone event of the conference where the anticipation builds leading up to so many folks sharing their projects from all areas of the industry. Not only is it an opportunity to meet with the designers and listen to their stories on how the project was developed, DemoFest is an inspiration with so many great ideas.
How did you get into learning?
I suppose I’ve been in the learning & development industry my whole life. It wasn’t until I was 40 that I realized it, though. My career started in the Army where training was a daily part of life whether participating, planning, or conducting the training. When I entered the civilian world, I was in retail for a few years and had to train employees on everything from customer service to merchandising. From there I went to a corporate setting working in the IT department. It was then I was asked to help the training department to train employees on a new software system. I also dabbled with freelance art and drawing and along with my military, operations, and IT experiences, it wasn’t much longer that I was invited to join the training team. I recall sitting at my desk just after my 40th birthday and realized this is it—this is where I’m supposed to be.
Who inspires you?
This may sound silly, but children inspire me. Children look at the world through innocent eyes, wonderment, and curiosity, and never stop playing. The power of play is incredible and as adults we tend to forget what it’s like to just let go and play. It’s in that power where chemicals in our brains release and we are freer to think critically and discover solutions to problems. Play is like exercise for the brain.