American Society for Training & Development: 4th Annual ASTD Conference & Expo Nov. 11-12 to feature four concurrent pre-conference workshops

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kathie Pugaczewski

P: 651-265-7859

F: 651-290-2266

E: kathiep@astd-tcc.org

W: http://www.astd-tcc.org

St. Paul, July 21, 2009 – Factors that drive improvement and performance in organizations will be addressed in four pre-conference workshops by industry leaders on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the RiverCentre in St. Paul, for the opening of the 4th annual conference and expo of the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) Twin Cities Chapter on Nov. 11-12. The Twin Cities Chapter of ASTD is the 3rd largest in the nation with more than 700 members.

Unleash the Power of Learning and Performance is the conference theme, and the pre-conference workshops will feature concurrent tracks on topics important to the workplace learning and performance (WLP) industry:

Leadership: Dynamic Leadership – Powerful Brands

The components of successful leaders, the identification of your own values, personality and emotional brand, and how to put this information to use.

Speaker: Lauri Flaquer, Saltar Solutions

Technology/E-Learning: Webinars with a WOW Factor

Techniques that make the driest material come to life on the screen and over the phone to increase retention and the transfer of learning.

Speaker: Becky Pluth, The Bob Pike Group

Training/Professional Skills: Everything DiSC Management: Making Managers Great

From the manager’s perspective, examine your own DiSC style, how to read your employees’ styles, and how to adapt your style to better connect with your employees.

Speaker: Julie Straw, Inscape Publishing

Organization Development: Driving Cultural and Behavioral Change for Innovation and Creativity

How to systematically increase innovation and creativity to enhance performance and achieve results.

Speakers: Gary McLean and Laird McLean, McLean Global Consulting

The ASTD conference on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 8:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m. will feature:

* Keynote speaker Mark Thompson, co-author of the best-seller Success Built to Last

* An interactive opening session with Insights Twin Cities

* Breakout sessions sharing leading-edge thinking and new WLP tools and technologies

* Dozens of exhibitors and suppliers to the WLP industry

“This is the premiere conference in the Midwest for workplace learning and performance professionals,” says conference chair Jessica Frier. “This year we are offering more and better content and networking opportunities. It will be the most important event of the year for training and development professionals, consultants, coaches, suppliers and service providers.”

ASTD is the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals, with more than 130 chapters in the United Sates. ASTD members work in thousands of organizations of all sizes, in government, as independent consultants, and as suppliers. The Twin Cities chapter is the third largest in the nation with more than 700 members. For more information on the ASTD Annual Conference & Expo or to register visit http://www.astd-tcc.org or call 651-290-6262.