Applying training in today’s business world, motivating learners to learn, transferral and retention of learning and the realities of e-learning will be among the key industry issues being addressed in the conference programme at the World of Learning Conference & Exhibition, taking place on 15 & 16 November 2005 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Opening Address

The Conference Opening Address, ‘Making it real – how should training be applied in today’s business world?’ is being delivered by Erwin Ihm, Head of Corporate Learning, Deutsche Telecom and Dr Andreas Närmann, Managing Consultant Competence Practice ‘Strategy & Innovation,’ Detecon International GmbH.  Among the issues being focused on are how to set realistic and meaningful objectives for training, and identifying organisational needs to lead the learning and development schedule.

**New** Future of Learning Forum

New for 2005 is the Future of Learning Forum, taking place on 16 November 2005.  An international panel of leading industry experts will be debating the key future developments of the learning industry, and will be taking specific delegate questions from the floor.  Panellists include Brandon Hall, who will be participating live by satellite from the US, Jay Cross, Founder of Internet Time Group (US), Ed Marsh, Head of Learning & Development, EMEA, Hewlett-Packard (EUR), Fabrizio Cardinali, Vice President, eLearning Industry Group & CEO at Guinti Interactive Labs (EUR), Diana Laurillard, Head of the e-Learning Strategy Group and the Department for Education & Skills (UK) and Ian Turner, Business Development Manage at Microsoft (UK).

Further conference sessions comprise:

·        Motivating learners to learn

·        Building an effective learning and development function

·        Ensuring transferral and retention of learning

·        Implementing a workplace learning strategy

·        Developing tomorrow’s leaders

·        Cultural issues surrounding learning and development

·        Implementing successful coaching initiatives

·        The realities of e-learning

The leading-edge speakers sharing their knowledge and expertise include Steve MacKenzie, e-Learning Producer at B&Q, Sarah Parr, Head of Learning & Development at Liverpool City Council, John Rogers, Head of Barclays University Business School, Jonathan Harding, Head of Leadership at Surrey & Sussex Health Authority and David Coleman, Global Learning Manager at Unilever.

Conference Closing Address

The Conference Closing Address delivered by Chris Horseman, Managing Director of Balance Learning and Jay Cross, Founder of the Internet Time Group, will provide insightful observations on cultural differences in training between the UK and US.  This will include a summary of the results of a transatlantic study among heads of learning and development, as well as views on how training is regarded at all levels and the effect this has on learning outcomes.

**New** Delegate Energiser Sessions

Taking place twice a day, the new delegate energiser sessions are designed to keep delegates focused by delivering a short, sharp wake-up call!

Jay Cross, Founder of the Internet Time Group said, “The World of Learning Conference and Exhibition is one of Europe’s leading events and provides an unrivalled opportunity for training buyers to find out about the latest issues, trends, products and services all under one roof.”

FREE iPOD!

Offering excellent value for money, the cost of attending the conference for one day is just £475, while the full two-day conference is £865.

In addition, all delegates booking and attending the full two-day conference will also receive a free iPOD.

Pre-register to win

Visitors who both pre-register and attend World of Learning 2005 will be entered into a free draw to win one of 80 weekend breaks at the luxurious Whittlebury Hall in Northamptonshire (www.whittleburyhall.co.uk) including dinner, bed and breakfast as well as a choice of a golf or spa experience. (Please visit www.learnevents.com for full terms and conditions.)