In today’s ever-changing world, learning has evolved in various ways. We’ve moved from the “sit and get” model of training to the era of instructional design. Our aim as organizations is to inspire and upskill our people for success in their daily performance.

On our best days, we are fluid and flexible at meeting the unique needs of different individuals and teams to ensure that they leave motivated, with tools sharpened and new skills they are ready to apply. Most days, we calibrate to find the appropriate balance between theory and functional application of knowledge in real-world contexts. And on our most difficult days, we get bogged down in theory and lose sight of providing hands-on learning experiences. We fail to bridge the gap from theory to praxis.

Most global organizations utilize a blended approach to training, requiring employees to train virtually on software like edX, Wisetail or Arlo and then inviting employees to in-person training and celebration events. For example, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) uses Wisetail to front-load content in the form of onboarding training before inviting employees to its National Training Seminar.

These in-person conferences are significant moments on our training journeys. It’s an opportunity to see the scope and scale of our work. We get to meet colleagues we might only know in the digital realm. Conferences also provide opportunities for recognition based on the merit of our work in the form of awards, grants and scholarships. For veterans, it’s a mainstay in our work and a chance to learn something new.

These events can also help find ways to leverage diverse perspectives, skills and abilities for maximum benefit. If your organization is considering implementing a similar approach, consider the following best practices that we have learned through our own experience:

• Take a mixed-media approach: By providing a mix of analog print materials and digital resources through QR codes or conference applications, everyone can engage with the content in a way that suits them best. Analog materials offer a familiar and tangible experience. Digital resources bring convenience and interactivity. Together, they create a harmonious learning environment that caters to all learning styles, ensuring that everyone can make the most of the conference’s valuable content.
• Encourage face-to-face interactions and meaningful conversations: When participants engage in direct conversations, they can express their thoughts, ask questions and share ideas. This fosters a sense of connection and community, making the learning experience more engaging and memorable. Trainers can also gauge participants’ reactions and understanding, allowing them to adjust their approach to better support the learning process.
• Champion the exchange of diverse perspectives and experiences: This enriches the learning environment, encouraging empathy and collaboration among participants. It is important to encourage both tiered cohorts and a cross-pollination of ideas, ensuring that that new and veteran employees learn from each other effectively.
• Move quickly from theory to praxis: Training events should aim to start with “why” and streamline to the functional application of executing daily tasks. Practical takeaways enable participants to apply their newly acquired skills immediately, increasing their confidence and competence. When learning is functional and relevant to real-life situations, it can become more meaningful and impactful, leading to a deeper understanding of the subject matter, which exists equally whether your learners are Gen Z, millennials or baby boomers.
• Maximize and showcase high-level partnerships: This can help remind participants of the company’s connections and support their development. Partners get a better understanding of your company, culture and direction with greater clarity than that of a website.
• Give them something to look forward to: Usually, toward the end of the week at top-tier conferences, there’s some finale that participants look forward to, like an awards ceremony. This is the perennial answer to rewarding your employees’ successes. But as times change, so must we. My teams have come to understand that a capstone or authentic learning experience can provide the excitement to keep participants engaged while also creating an opportunity for them to demonstrate learning through a hands-on project.

When choosing an experiential learning opportunity, define something different enough from the working day to excite your people, yet similar enough in design, structure and process to ensure they can transfer the information from the experiential event to their daily responsibilities. If you are going to talk about sales or customer services all week, how can you provide a functional experience in an engaging and unique way?

As we evolve in today’s world of work, let us seize opportunities to train each other in transformative ways. Through embracing technology and innovation, providing personalized and human-centered experiences, and making space for deep and meaningful conversations, we can capitalize on the camaraderie formed at our conference experience. With the right blend of analog and digital resources tailored to suit individual needs, we can equip and empower our people, teams and perhaps even the world.