As I sit down to reflect on twenty years of DevLearn, I can't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude and amazement at how far we've come as an industry. My first DevLearn was well over a decade ago, and the experience was truly a revelation—a place where the future of learning was not just talked about but actively shaped. The energy, the innovation, the people—I knew right then that this conference was going to be something special in my professional journey.
Back then, the buzz was all about the possibilities of mobile learning. The idea that we could deliver meaningful learning experiences on a device that fits in your pocket, while commonplace today, felt completely revolutionary. And it was.
I remember attending sessions where early adopters shared their successes and challenges, and the conversations that spilled into the hallways were just as enlightening as the presentations themselves. We were all figuring it out together, which reflects that sense of community and shared purpose that people always describe as a defining feature of DevLearn.
Over the years, DevLearn has been the stage where the most exciting developments in learning technologies have made their debut. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the rise of online learning, the emergence of smartphones as a learning tool, the applications of virtual reality (VR) for training programs, and most recently, the powerful impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on learning programs. Each year, the conference has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, challenging us to rethink our approaches and embrace new tools that can transform how people learn and build skills.
One of my most vivid memories is from a few years ago when VR was starting to make serious waves. I remember putting on a headset at one of the expo booths and being completely immersed in a simulation that felt more real than anything I had experienced before. It was in that moment I realized that VR wasn’t just a flashy new toy—it had the potential to open entirely new possibilities for learning experiences. The ability to create safe, realistic environments for learners to practice in was a game-changer, and it was clear that DevLearn was leading the way in bringing this new technology to forefront.
DevLearn has always been a great source for creating those “aha” moments that make you see the world of technology-based learning and performance in a whole new way.
But DevLearn isn’t just about the technology. It’s about the people who bring these innovations to life. The relationships I’ve built over the years—both through formal sessions and those impromptu conversations in the hallways—have been invaluable. My professional growth skyrocketed once I tapped into the community that gathers at the event.
There’s a unique camaraderie here, a sense that we’re all in this together, pushing the industry forward one breakthrough at a time. It’s these connections that have enriched my career and kept me coming back as an attendee year after year, and sparked my interest in joining the Learning Guild team when the opportunity arose.
As I look back on twenty years of DevLearn, I’m struck by how much the conference—and our field—has evolved. What started as a small gathering of tech enthusiasts has grown into a cornerstone event for learning professionals worldwide. And yet, the spirit of innovation and community that defined that first DevLearn remains as strong as ever.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about where we’re going. I look around today and technologies that once seemed like science fiction are now part of our everyday toolkit, and there’s no telling what new possibilities the future holds. What I do know is that DevLearn will continue to be at the center of it all, bringing us together to explore, experiment, and shape the future of learning.
Here’s to the next twenty years of DevLearn—may they be as transformative and inspiring as the first.