This year’s World of Learning Conference & Exhibition is set to be highly interactive and engaging as L&D innovators, practitioners and thought-leaders come together to share expertise and insights at Birmingham’s NEC on 19 & 20 October.

World of Learning 2016 features the latest in L&D from over 100 exhibitors, The Technology Test Drive, Learning Design Live, live immersive workshops, one-to-one consultations and free seminars.

“This year’s show offers more information than ever to attendees and really aims to bring them ideas and tools they can take back and apply immediately,” explains Andrew Gee, Senior Project Manager for the World of Learning.

Andrew continues, “We know L&D is under pressure to deliver tangible business impact and ROI, and World of Learning will support that aim in a highly interactive, engaging and entertaining way.”

A host of free conference streams and interactive zones offer event visitors a multitude of platforms to facilitate discussion and learning.

Among them is the extremely popular Learning Design Live conference which offers a programme of seven conference sessions covering the very latest learning design topics.  Sponsored by the eLearning Network (eLN), Learning Design Live encourages those involved in learning tech design to share ideas and advice with other design specialists.

Those visitors wishing to get hands on with the latest innovations and technology can do so at the Technology Test Drive.  Here attendees can test solutions at their own pace and discover how cutting-edge technology can support their organisation’s learning objectives and deliver business value.

A series of free, interactive skills sessions is offered in the Experiential Learning Zone where exhibition visitors can take part in a series of bite-sized sessions on key areas such as engagement, wellbeing and leadership development. 

The Ask the Expert zone facilitates the gathering of one-to-one advice on a variety of L&D topics, and the Business Lounge offers a chance to relax, catch up with colleagues or even touch base with the office.

New for this year is the Apprenticeship Zone which offers a dedicated free seminar programme covering everything employers need to know about the Apprenticeship Levy which many businesses will start paying in April 2017.  Expert apprenticeship providers and trainers will exhibit alongside, offering further advice and insights.

All of these features are set within an environment designed to facilitate engagement and interaction.  Colleagues can pit themselves against each other on the full-scale climbing wall which can be found in the team-building zone facilitated by Garlands Leisure.  Visitors will learn how challenges like the climbing wall, as well as other fun activities on show can be incorporated into a team or leadership programme.

For those event visitors who wish to find a moment of calm in which to reflect on all the information they have gathered, there is a giant colouring wall located within the Mindfulness Zone.  Here they can experience first-hand how colouring and other activities can facilitate the practice of mindfulness which can support wellbeing and strong mental performance. 

In addition, the Resilience zone will allow visitors to explore how to build resilience to support an agile workforce.

Alongside these free exhibition features is a comprehensive programme of free-to-attend educational seminars across two theatres.  A host of experts from leading companies such as How to Moodle, Belbin, Ask and Litmos by CallidusCloud will cover key industry subjects including virtual learning, neuroscience, leadership, user-centred learning, driving business improvement and measuring success, value and ROI. 

This year’s Fringe seminars see L&D experts tackling topics wider to the conference’s central themes.  E-learning analyst Craig Weiss, and MD of Towards Maturity, Laura Overton, two of the “Top Ten” most influential people in the world in the corporate e-learning sector, will join Liggy Webb and others to educate the audience on topics such as how to select the right LMS, examining the future of learning, and using stress to personal and business advantage. 

Roaming the busy exhibition aisles and interacting with event visitors will be Norris the robot.  He’ll be providing a taster of how learning could be delivered in the future and will certainly act as a talking point. 

In keeping with the atmosphere of interactivity and engagement at this year’s event, visitors are encouraged to dress casually and comfortably.  “Come ready to train in your trainers!” says Nene Udofot, Senior Marketing Executive at World of Learning.

With so many interactive features, the expansive range of seminar programmes and World of Learning’s renowned culture of open and supportive discussion among experts, this year’s show is an essential, one-stop event for anyone with high-level responsibility for learning and development. 

Andrew Gee summarises, “Time spent at World of Learning will be a valuable investment for anyone with a senior role in L&D, as well an enjoyable way to network and get up to speed with the latest developments in L&D.”

For more details and to book the World of Learning Exhibition 2016 visit learnevents.com or call 020 8394 5171.