What is the difference between "Learning 2005" and other education events?

Elliott Masie: There are many differences as you will see. One main difference is that we will keep you ACTIVE as a learner throughout the event. Also that we will give you a VENDOR-NEUTRAL view of what is happening right now in our industry, as well as EMERGING TRENDS and technologies on the radar screen for the next 12-48 months so that you can plan ahead wisely, Our sessions will be facilitated by senior IMPLEMENTERS in non-vendor organizations, many from our seasoned 191+ Fortune-500-member Learning CONSORTIUM members, and centered around benchmarking, best-of-breed practices, and what "keeps you up at night" on the specific topic.


The authentic CONVERSATIONS that will take place are the ones that our conference attendees, 50,000+ TRENDS newsletter readers and CONSORTIUM members have told us are important to them - their input was a big part of our design process. And of course our "EVERGREEN" CONTENT and FACULTY - not the same old material and repeat presentations that continually make their way from conference to conference and year to year.


You will also have the opportunity to be part of one, two, or more learning COMMUNITIES who will create formal and informal activities around common topics you are passionate about. We are also about SPONTANEITY - many open spaces and a lot of free time will be available throughout the conference where you can meet to talk - not every second needs to be scheduled - as we realize the most interesting discussions and connections sometimes happen in this unplanned way.


The material and networking will also begin PRIOR to your arrival, so that your time at Learning 2005 is well spent on your questions, dialogues, and collaboration with colleagues rather than just collecting handouts. We will also "WALK THE TALK" by employing a wide range of low-tech and high-tech tools such as social network systems to assist you in finding find colleagues with similar interests.


Among these are portable Audio Response Units that can be carried throughout the event, podcasts and RSS feeds to keep you informed, a unique x-Learn Lab filled with learning technology and methodologies from Simulation to Gaming to Talent Tracking systems. The event also exploits wiki software, with which attendees can participate in shaping the solutions and discussions and employs dozens of bloggers at the event so that they can project real-time reporting to the entire group….

You also might have heard that there is NO TRADE SHOW. You can, though, meet suppliers as participants or by attending one of their sponsored sessions.

So as you can see, there are many, many reasons why Learning 2005 differentiates itself from the others, and I strongly suggest that you visit our website to learn more. But I hope these concrete examples have given you a good overview of why we consider ourselves pioneers in bringing you this new and exciting event on October 30 - November 2 in Orlando, Florida, USA.

In which way is the One-Pager Model "revolutionary" for the way presentations and lectures are held?


Elliott Masie: One of my "pet peeves" is the way in which conference sessions overstate what can be done in an hour or ninety minutes. Some of these sessions propose to cover a month of materials in just an hour. And, it truly gets strange when the presenters arrive with three dozen slides...and promise a high level of interactivity! That can't be done! Once there are many slides, the PowerPoint overwhelms the discussion and dialogue.

With the traditional method of presenting, there is also the issue of the core ideas being lost in the myriad of details, and this leads to poor communications and an overload of information (some even irrelevant or useless) for the attendee.


Our one-pager model places INTERACTION at the top of our Learning design and delivery. Its goal is that of a tool for discussion, drill-down questions, benchmarking and ongoing conversation - not as a handout. Thus it may be one question, a series of links, a mind map of several concepts, a graphic, a simple list of Dos or Don'ts, or maybe just even one word. We realize that the quantity of slides presented in a session is directly inverse to the level of interaction! Our goal is to focus in on what we want attendees to remember from the session (short and long term) and what we want them to do with the information (actionable items).


You will have access to these one-pagers on the LearningWiki, the open wiki/blog software for the event. A facilitator can link to lots of other resources from their on-line 1 Pager and attendees can add their own ideas, questions or resources - but be assured hat the content will not be frozen in time one year before the event! Getting down to the essentials is an idea whose time has come and also one that is welcomed by all - facilitators and attendees!


You promise "passion and fun" - how exactly will this be realized?


Elliott Masie: We always have fun at the events we do - relaxed and happy attendees learn more this way. At Learning 2005, we have planned several cool activities to take place once again. These include an AUCTION, POSTER SESSIONS, (a technique borrowed from medical and academic conferences), the IRON CHEF DESIGNER COMPETITION, where teams will have the chance to do real-time design including a "secret ingredient", and the x-LEARN LAB, where you will have hands-on time for gaming and simulation systems such as Fighter Pilots for carriers and preparing for tomorrow's workforce.


There will also be an optional three-day CRUISE following Learning 2005 to the Bahamas aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Fantasy ship where you can spend some additional time with us and other colleagues playing, sunning, talking, networking, dancing, eating, and even gambling if you wish.


The HALLOWEEN HOLIDAY (October 31st) falls within the conference dates, so we have something special planned for that night as well. And of course, it is always fun at DISNEY with Mickey Mouse and pals!


What is the result you expect from this event?

Elliott Masie:As leaders and innovators in the Training and Learning industry, we need to begin to run our events accordingly and not just follow the same old model from the past that has unfortunately become the norm. As you can see from all I have cited above, Learning 2005 is taking a bold step to incorporate sound methodologies, adult learning principles, high and low tech software, and valued input from our colleagues, TRENDS readers, our Learning CONSORTIUM members, and conference participants into the re-design and transformation of the conference model for this new global event. We have taken some risks and are proud of this!


We expect the learning communities and the informal and formal networking we are providing before, during, and after the conference to allow for trusted, open, and ongoing collaborative learning conversations and interactions with all of our friends year round. By the way, have you visited the Learning 2005 University yet? Also, each attendee will receive a copy of my new book Learning Rants, Raves and Reflections, so that they can extend the relevant learning process beyond the event.

We will also be giving back to the community by donating a portion of the tuitions to a small group of non-profit organizations that are tackling learning-related world problems and challenges. These include The Tiger Woods Learning Center Foundation, eLearning for Kids, and LINGOs.

And as result of the entire experience, our Learning 2006 conference will grow and evolve, and we will be sure to surprise you again next year!