CLO Symposium, now in its 19th year, is the premier event for learning and development executives to gather and exchange ideas, best practices and emerging trends. Developed and driven by the editors of Chief Learning Officer magazine, the CLO Symposium is where learning, training and development professionals come together to learn from each other. By connecting with people and teams who have faced similar challenges and goals, you can learn practical applications that will help you and your team achieve the results your organization expects. Get the most out of the experience by bringing your top executives and team members to the event (ask us about group discounts). We look forward to seeing you there!
SPECIAL NOTE: We understand there has been some confusion with numerous “CLO” events that have sprouted up over the years. The annual CLO Symposium is the ONLY conference produced by the editors of Chief Learning Officer magazine (published since 2003), chieflearningofficer.com. CLO Symposium has been the gold standard for corporate learning events for 19 years. Accept no substitutes.
––
Inspiring Keynotes
Past keynote speakers include Elliott Masie, Ekpedeme “Pamay” M. Bassey, Adam Grant, Gary Vaynerchuk, Guy Raz, Michelle Gielan, Dan Heath, Heidi Grant Halvorson, Charles Duhigg, Troy Carter, Francesca Gino, Steve Pemberton, Gretchen Rubin, Amy Webb and Susan Packard, among others. This year’s keynote speakers will engage and embolden you with anecdotes and personal experiences applicable to your mission in the future of corporate learning and development.
Educational Workshops
Hear from subject-matter experts presenting real-world success stories.
CLO Symposium includes intimate workshops featuring stories from some of the most innovative executives at the top-ranked organizations in L&D. We’ll cover some of the most important issues facing your teams today, including company culture considerations, competency- and skills-based learning, change management, experiential learning, artificial intelligence and machine learning, corporate educational alliances, performance mindset, strategic business alignment, critical leadership qualities for the future and more.
Recertification Credits
Attendees also receive recertification credits from ATD, SHRM and HRCI.
Agenda
Pre-Conference – Oct. 15
Join us for an evening of celebration as we honor the best organizations for learning and development.
Winners of the 2023 LearningElite will be announced!
Meet us back for some music, mingling and fun as we keep the celebration going!
Day 1 – Oct. 16
Ashley St. John, Chief Learning Officer’s chief content officer and editor-in-chief, introduces the event theme, “All Eyes on the Future: Building a Culture of Lifelong Learning”.
How do we measure learning and development’s contribution to human and business performance? Is there evidence for the impact of training? What are credible facts for learning effectiveness?
These are difficult questions to answer, but difficult does not mean impossible. Join Kevin M. Yates, the L&D Detective, as he solves a measurement mystery during this Chief Learning Officer Symposium keynote session.
Working alongside Kevin, you will conduct an impact measurement investigation. You’ll examine nine questions, the answers to which are essential for successfully measuring impact for training and learning. You’ll also collect facts, clues, evidence and data that reveal learning and development’s influence on human performance and business results.
In the fast-evolving landscape of the modern workforce, the need for impactful innovation has become more pronounced than ever. As the chief learning officer, your organization’s success hinges upon your ability to cultivate a dynamic workforce that can thrive amidst constant change. Join us for an engaging panel discussion with two industry leaders: Amazon and the U.S. Naval Community College. We’ll delve into the intersection of education and workforce and discuss cutting-edge strategies to equip your teams with the necessary skills and mindset to adapt, excel and lead.
Through expert-led discussions we’ll explore how innovative learning methodologies, emerging technologies and forward-thinking leadership can reshape the workforce into an agile and future-ready powerhouse. Uncover practical insights on fostering a culture of continuous learning and unleashing the creativity of your talent pool. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to revolutionize your organization’s approach to learning and prepare your workforce to thrive in the dynamic challenges of tomorrow.
Key lessons:
- Learn how to develop strategies that enable your workforce to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
- Explore innovative learning methodologies and how they can be applied to enhance skill development and adaptability.
- Discover how to leverage emerging technologies to stay competitive and enable your teams to excel in their roles.
- Gain insights into creating a workplace culture that promotes continuous learning and growth among your employees.
- Understand how to tap into the creative potential of your talent pool and encourage innovative thinking within your organization.
The transition toward a skills-based organization is not a novel concept, yet it remains a top priority for executives, with 89% of them citing intentions to shift in this direction (Deloitte 2022). Despite this, the landscape is still in its infancy; we have fragmented use cases, lack of universal taxonomy and inconsistent ways to navigate what comes next. Due to this context, we’ve been on a journey for a number of years that continues to feel unclear. In this session we’ll share our integrated skills framework and how we help other organizations define theirs. We’ll work through interactive exercises that help you evaluate your own organization’s progress toward becoming a skills-based organization and identify what needs to be true to move to the next phase of advancement.
Join these TED-style talks, where learning leaders and executives will discuss the challenges and opportunities of the future of learning.
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.: FastTalk
3:45 – 4:00 p.m.: FastTalk
4:00 – 4:15 p.m.: FastTalk
4:15 – 4:30 p.m.: Q&A
Profound transformations are unfolding in the realm of work, centered around where and how we work. We will discuss how organizations are embracing new methods of collaboration and delve into the cutting-edge technologies driving innovation around how work is done in the modern workplace. This talk will equip professionals with the insights and strategies needed to thrive in this evolving landscape.
In the realm of leadership, the term “unicorn” has gained immense popularity, used to describe individuals who possess a unique set of skills, talents and qualities that set them apart. However, my approach challenges the conventional notion of unicorn leadership and proposes an alternative perspective — that of legendary leadership. Drawing on personal experiences and years of managing people and strategies, this session explores the journey from being labeled a unicorn to embracing the concept of legendary leadership. It delves into the reflection point that led to a transformative realization about the essence of true leadership, emphasizing coaching, guidance, mentoring and a growth mindset.
Join us for an evening of celebration as we recognize learning leaders who have demonstrated excellence in the design and delivery of employee development programs through a combination of qualities such as leadership, vision, business acumen and strategic alignment.
Winners of the 2023 Learning in Practice Awards will be announced!
Meet us back for some music, mingling and fun as we keep the celebration going!
Day 2 – Oct. 17
Nobody wakes up in the morning aiming to be average. Many people want to be successful but don’t know how to approach this path. They have the potential but need a plan. Based on research and in-person interviews with astronauts, Nobel Prize winners, CEOs and Olympic champions, this presentation outlines the methodological approach that individuals aspiring to improve their performance can adopt to achieve success.
High achievers share the same four attributes: intrinsic motivation, perseverance, a strong foundation and constant learning through informal means. The key to their success is that they do all four of these things in tandem.
Based on the book “The Success Factor” and using these four shared attributes as a guide, this presentation helps you reach peak performance by applying the lessons of high achievers in your own life: Identify your passion using a Passion Audit; learn how and where to find a mentor and how to build a mentoring team; develop your own community of practice; pursue your interests through informal learning; and manage your time and energy.
In an age of relentless disruption, digital transformation and reskilling must go hand in hand. Chief learning officers will play a vital role in helping companies navigate emerging challenges. The rise of generative AI and its impact on every industry has created an unprecedented need for structured and intentional learning pathways that support organizational agility and career advancement. Online learning can enable CLOs to build agile talent strategies that focus on critical digital and human skills necessary to drive long-term advantage.
The need for organizations to retain and empower their workforce has never been more critical. Building a culture of coaching has emerged as a powerful strategy to foster employee growth, enhance employee retention and drive organizational success. This interactive session blends research with practical next steps to establish a coaching strategy and grow a coaching culture within your organization.
Together we will explore:
- The power of coaching.
- How to create an organizational coaching strategy.
- The benefits of cultivating a coaching culture.
AI promises to revolutionize learning – but how? Find out what happens when video-based characters interact with participants in an AI-enabled management simulation, and uncover lessons learned from an AI-enabled leadership development simulation at ADM.
Utilizing a team-based management simulation, this session explores valuable lessons learned on integrating AI into management programs and how to use large language models to teach effective leadership skills.
Learning objectives:
- Distinguish hype from reality as new AI solutions become available.
- Experience the power and limitations of video-enabled and AI-based management training programs.
- Identify best L&D practices when implementing experiential leadership development and management workshops with team-based simulations.
The momentum for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives has grown substantially within organizations. However, with recent Supreme Court rulings, many companies are seeing their DEI programs losing steam. DEI extends beyond just looking good; it holds a critical significance in the recruitment and preservation of a skilled workforce. For example, did you know that 81% of potential applicants assess a company’s position on DEI through its website prior to applying?
Join us for a discussion about the importance of keeping DEI top of mind – not just for compliance or reputation management, but for talent attraction and retention. Creating an inclusive culture fosters healthier workplaces and communities, leading to increased productivity, innovation and employee satisfaction.
Attendees will learn:
- The impact of recent regulatory changes on corporate DEI initiatives.
- Renewed importance of maintaining corporate DEI initiatives in your organization.
- How DEI initiatives contribute to a diverse and powerful talent pipeline.
In today’s dynamic and collaborative work environments, effective leadership approaches have evolved beyond traditional hierarchies. This presentation delves into the concept of servant leadership and its profound influence on enhancing team effectiveness. By placing the needs of team members at the forefront and fostering a culture of support, empowerment and trust, servant leadership not only cultivates a cohesive and motivated team but also yields remarkable outcomes in terms of productivity, innovation and overall success. Through insightful analysis, real-world examples and practical strategies, this presentation explores the symbiotic relationship between servant leadership and team effectiveness, shedding light on how this approach can reshape organizational dynamics and drive remarkable results. Join to discover how embracing servant leadership principles can unlock the full potential of teams and pave the way for sustained excellence in today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape.
In 2022, ADP was named Chief Learning Officer’s No. 1 LearningElite organization. The Learning Elite benchmarking program annually recognizes organizations that employ exemplary workforce development strategies that deliver significant business results.
This session is a chance for you to learn from our journey to becoming an award-winning L&D organization. Hear about our successes and challenges. Find out where we had to adjust (and what we are still doing to improve). Take notes on what to consider when navigating head winds. Discover what is most important and where you should prioritize to make your organization valued and recognized for the impact it has on business results.
Join us and walk away with shared secrets to success you can apply to build yourown award-winning learning strategy.
Key Takeaways:
- The essential components to the right organizational structure.
- Tactics to evolve from order-taker to performance consultant.
- How to transform through an innovation strategy that allows you to take risks.
In this interactive session, we will discuss practical ways to leverage generative AI within L&D. Satu Salminen, vice president of leadership development at ZoomInfo, will share some popular use cases both for daily use as an “invisible sidekick” and also for leveraging AI for larger-scale programs like coaching and goal-setting. We’ll also discuss tips for using AI more effectively, such as how to write impactful prompts. We’ll end with an interactive discussion on potential innovative ways to further leverage AI for L&D in the future.
There’s a lot that’s written and discussed these days related to cultivating a culture of learning in organizations. Indeed, L&D opportunities continue to grow in demand by employees and are a highly sought-after element of overall company culture. They are, in fact, a key business differentiator.
But what does a culture of learning actually look like? How is it built, and who does the building?
Join CLO for this panel discussion to hear how learning leaders are working with their C-suite partners to further L&D strategy and build a learning culture — one where all departments and constituents are on board and learning is integrated into the business as a whole.
Join us for a candid poolside chat with Dr. Keith Keating, chief learning officer and author of the upcoming book “The Trusted Learning Advisor,” as he shares his unique odyssey that led him to his esteemed role. Every twist and turn of his professional life has been fueled by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of learning – but it didn’t start that way! *Spoiler alert: Dr. Keating dropped out of high school at age 15.
This chat is more than just a recounting of milestones; it’s a reflection on the philosophies, strategies and best practices that Keating has embraced along the way. It’s an invitation to peer into the mindset that has shaped his decisions and understand the future of the CLO role and learning industry through his eyes. Whether you’re starting your L&D practitioner journey or are an established leader in the world of learning, join Dr. Keating as he offers a blend of personal anecdotes and actionable insights that promise to inspire, challenge and guide you in your own journey.
Day 3 – Oct. 18
Join these TED-style talks, where learning leaders and executives will discuss the challenges and opportunities of the future of learning.
8:00 – 8:15 a.m.: FASTtalk
8:15 – 8:30 a.m.: FASTtalk
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.: FASTtalk
8:45 – 9:00 a.m.: Q&A
The use of technology like AI and ChatGPT and digital platforms is becoming increasingly more prevalent in the workplace, and specifically in the L&D world. This session will explore how we are using this to our advantage at Grange Insurance to develop and curate content, utilizing AI coaches to improve communication/presentation skills, improving and scaling coaching with our digital platform, and bringing more innovation to our programs and design with the use of these technologies. This will be an engaging conversation around the success and impacts, along with lessons learned along the way.
Learning leaders have invested heavily in building coaching cultures. One study cites nearly $3 billion spent annually for organizational coaching initiatives, such as coach-skills training for managers. To maximize the impact of your coaching and learning initiatives, add the catalyst of coachability. With this presentation, you’ll learn the compelling research and best practice highlights from the recent book, “Coachability: The Leadership Superpower.” Don’t miss these compelling insights to add coachability to your conference takeaways for greater impact.
Our full panel of experts return to the stage to answer questions from the audience.
In June the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the first comprehensive standard for L&D metrics, containing 52 metrics recommended for large organizations and 19 for small/medium-sized organizations. It provides guidance on metric selection and reporting by type of user (for example, CEO, CLO and program manager) and covers both formal and informal learning. Definitions and sample reports are also included.
Dave Vance, who led the ISO effort, will share the background of this standard, including antecedent standards and efforts, and then will walk through the framework and its key components with a focus on the recommended metrics. He will conclude with advice on how this standard can be used to create or improve your own measurement strategy and how it will benefit the profession.
CrowdStrike employees are encouraged to define their careers by taking part in the Career Growth Journey. In this journey, employees are in the driver’s seat, leading their own development, deciding how they want to grow and ultimately move in a direction that best suits their career ambitions. While career planning typically focuses on the destination, the Career Growth Journey is all about … well, the journey! How employees reach their destination is just as, if not more, important than the destination itself, since our personal and professional priorities and goals change over time. As an organization, providing continuous employee career growth opportunities allows us to level-up their skill sets, create new pathways for internal mobility and increase retention efforts. This session will cover:
- Creating an employee-centric and employee-driven career development program.
- Incorporating learning programs to support career development.
- Using the career development program as part of the annual performance review cycle.
Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of AI or you’ve already embraced its capabilities, this session promises value for all. Dive into the exhilarating world of AI’s impact on learning and development. As the landscape of L&D evolves at an unprecedented pace, chief learning officers are uniquely positioned to spearhead this AI-driven transformation. This session is a spirited exploration of how artificial intelligence is not only revolutionizing traditional learning paradigms but also playing a pivotal role in upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
Attendees will engage in dynamic discussions, unearthing strategies for effective AI adoption and integration. By session’s end, CLOs and L&D professionals will be equipped with a robust toolkit of innovative approaches to harness AI technology, ensuring unparalleled learning experiences and fostering organizational growth.
Let us journey together into the future of learning, emerging with actionable insights for immediate implementation.
“Business as usual” is no longer applicable in 2023. For more than a decade, digital disruption has impacted almost every business and industry. As a result, the traditional rules and assumptions of business are becoming less valid for sustainable success in the global business landscape.
What will the future of business and work look like? And how can leadership teams prepare the company and its people for the future?
Kamales Lardi, digital transformation and technology expert and author of “The Human Side of Digital Business Transformation,” offers a peek into the future of business and how digital and learning mindsets will become the center point of surviving and thriving in the digital economy.
We conclude the event with a few words from Ashley St. John, Chief Learning Officer’s chief content officer and editor-in-chief, followed by open networking.
Venue
For your convenience, we have secured a special guest room rate
of $289 per night at the Rancho Bernardo Inn.
This rate ends Wednesday, September 27, so book soon!
Symposium ’23 Pricing
Registration limited to internal facing practitioners*
Group rates are automatically applied to purchases of 3 or more.
- Tickets include invite to pre-conference LearningElite Gala and Learning in Practice Awards Ceremony.
- Tickets include invite to pre-conference LearningElite Gala and Learning in Practice Awards Ceremony.
Member pricing is discounted. Become a member here.
Secure your annual membership and CLO Symposium registration today for $2,295 – our best price yet!
Discount automatically applied when you add a membership to your cart and select the box to add a CLO Symposium ticket.
Simple Litmus Test
My primary responsibility is for the development of my company’s internal workforce = QUALIFIED
I work primarily with organizations other than my own to support their workforce development = NOT QUALIFIED
All vendors, consultants and suppliers interested in participating should visit our sponsorship page to request more information.
Keynote Speakers
Speakers
Past Speakers
Awards
Pre-Conference LearningElite Gala held
Sun, Oct. 15, 2023 in San Diego, CA
Learning In Practice Awards Ceremony held
Mon, Oct. 16, 2023 in San Diego, CA
Thank you to our sponsors!
Diamond
Platinum
Gold
Silver
2022 Sponsors
Become a Sponsor
Frequently Asked Questions About CLO Symposium
What is the CLO Symposium?
Developed and driven by the editors of Chief Learning Officer, the CLO Symposium is where learning and development professionals come together to learn from each other. By connecting with people and teams who face similar challenges and goals, you can learn practical applications that will help you and your team achieve the results your organization expects. Get the most out of the experience by bringing your senior team members so you can all learn together and maximize your experience.
The Symposium is held annually in the fall in a different location each year. We look forward to seeing you there!
How is the CLO Symposium connected to Chief Learning Officer?
The CLO Symposium is the ONLY annual conference produced by the editors of Chief Learning Officer. Don’t be fooled by the surplus of copycat events with the words “Chief Learning Officer” or “CLO” in their title.
How long has CLO Symposium been around?
The CLO Symposium launched on Valentine’s Day weekend in 2004. We have been hosting the event annually ever since.
Can I subscribe to receive special announcements and updates?
Who should attend the CLO Symposium?
For complete details on the terms that apply to registration and other important disclaimers, please read through the following:
Registration Policy
Registration for Chief Learning Officer events is restricted to internal learning & development practitioners and a limited number of sponsors with clearly defined roles. This policy is in place to assure that every live CLO event offers a respectful, relaxed environment where active professionals can network, learn from one another and have frank discussions about what is happening in their industry, organizations and careers. All registrations are subject to review. If it is determined that the registrant does not qualify, the registration will be cancelled and a refund issued to the card supplied.
Why should I attend this event?
- Gain access to unparalleled learning opportunities focused on key trends in learning and development.
- Walk away with actionable strategies and ideas that can be applied to your organization immediately.
- Participate and gain recognition among a community of leading thinkers and practitioners.
- Develop strategies for effective leadership development and seamless succession planning.
- Align development with organizational needs and priorities to deliver measurable results.
- Discover the latest trends and technology for enabling improved workforce performance.
- Create and refine your strategy for learning and development to lead in the new business environment.
Can you help me justify my attendance?
Yes, we’ve made it easy for you to make a case to your boss for attending! Get the necessary tools here.
Who should attend the CLO Symposium?
For complete details on the terms that apply to registration and other important disclaimers, please read through the following:
Registration Policy
Registration for Chief Learning Officer events is restricted to internal learning & development practitioners and a limited number of sponsors with clearly defined roles. This policy is in place to assure that every live CLO event offers a respectful, relaxed environment where active professionals can network, learn from one another and have frank discussions about what is happening in their industry, organizations and careers. All registrations are subject to review. If it is determined that the registrant does not qualify, the registration will be cancelled and a refund issued to the card supplied.
Simple Litmus Test
My primary responsibility is for the development of my company’s internal workforce = QUALIFIED
I work primarily with organizations other than my own to support their workforce development = NOT QUALIFIED
All vendors, consultants and suppliers interested in participating should visit our sponsorship page to request more information.
About Agenda & Speakers
What types of sessions are offered?
- Keynotes: A highlight of every CLO Symposium are the main stage keynote presentations. The editors of Chief Learning Officer begin researching and evaluating potential keynote speakers over a year in advance. Past headliners have included such trailblazers as Adam Grant, Michelle Gielan, Gretchen Rubin, Jonah Berger, Gary Vaynerchuk, Steve Pemberton, Bill Rassmussen, Charles Duhigg, Adam Braun, Geoff Colvin, and many more.
- CLO Power Hour/FASTtalks: Our take on TED Talks, these rapid-fire practitioner narratives are delivered in 15 minutes or less. We conclude the series of talks with a brief Q&A from the audience for a deeper dive.
- Panel Discussions: Lively debates deliver knowledgeable dialogue and unique perspectives on topics of keen interest to L&D leaders.
- Spotlight Workshops: Ripped from the pages of Chief Learning Officer, these editorial-driven breakout sessions dive deep into the issues that matter to you and are presented by fellow CLOs.
- Partner Workshops: These one-hour breakout sessions add rich content and value to the agenda. CLO event partners co-present with their corporate clients to share success stories about implementing a new program and/or solving a business issue for their client’s organization. You will have your choice of up to 16 case study-style presentations to choose from throughout the conference.
Where can I get a schedule of the workshops taking place during the conferences?
We aim to post workshop details no later than six weeks prior to the event. Most of these are client case studies presented on behalf of our event partners and take a bit more time to finalize. You’ll find everything we have so far listed in the agenda above.
Can I earn Professional Development Credits (PDC’s) for attending CLO Symposium?
HRCI
Earn up to 12 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org.
SHRM
BetterWork Media Group is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM. This program is valid for 12 PDCs for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
ATD
BetterWork Media Group has been pre-approved by the ATD Certification Institute to offer programs that can be used toward initial eligibility and recertification of the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) credentials. This program has been approved for a maximum of 11 points.
How do I submit a proposal to speak?
Chief Learning Officer is dedicated to serving as a platform and community for C-suite and senior-level learning and development professionals to connect and advance in the profession and their personal careers. We are by CLOs, for CLOs.
While we showcase stories in digital and print, we believe that gathering communities of leaders to share best practices and innovative approaches in employee learning and development, both in person and online, is equally important. This process begins with you.
Click here to submit your proposal.
If you are a vendor, consultant or solution provider who helps other organizations improve their workforce development initiatives, please request a copy of our sponsorship brochure to see how you can participate.
CLO+ members
gain exclusive benefits.
Sign up and save!
