ATD Conference Review with Bill Banham, Mallory Flynn and Chloe Sferra

ATD wrapped up a few days ago and it proved, once again, to be an experience not to be missed! For over eight decades, the Association for Talent Development (ATD) has been at the forefront of advancing the talent development field, offering events that consistently deliver excellence. From the inaugural conference in Chicago in 1945 with just 56 attendees, ATD has grown its annual International Conference & EXPO into a global phenomenon. This year’s conference, held in New Orleans, drew more than 9,000 professionals from 80+ countries, cementing its reputation as a key event for learning and development (L&D) professionals.

On the final day of the event, Bill Banham got a chance to sit down with Mallory Flynn, Content Manager and Chloe Sferra, Content Coordinator at ATD for a brief chat about their experiences of #ATD24 and their plans for OrgDev in Atlanta in October and ATD 2025 in DC. 

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

Welcome to the HR Chat Show, one of the world's most downloaded and shared podcasts designed for HR pros, talent execs, tech enthusiasts and business leaders. For hundreds more episodes and what's new in the world of work, subscribe to the show, follow us on social media and visit HRGazettecom.

Speaker 2: 0:25

Hey Mallory, hey Chloe, how are you doing today?

Speaker 3: 0:27

I'm good. How are you Bill?

Speaker 2: 0:29

I am good.

Speaker 4: 0:29

Thank you very much. Good, great to be here.

Speaker 2: 0:31

Thank you very much for joining me, so we're recording this live from the expo floor at ATD. It's the final day. I am sad that it's wrapping up. I've had a wonderful time. Why don't you both take a minute and introduce yourselves up? I've had a wonderful time. Why don't you both?

Speaker 3: 0:46

take a minute and introduce yourselves. Mallory, do you want to go first? Perfect, I'm Mallory Flynn. I'm a content manager at ATD. I'm over both our organizational development and career development segment.

Speaker 2: 0:54

Very good. And Chloe, what about you?

Speaker 4: 0:56

My name is Chloe Spera. I am the content coordinator at ATD and I do a little bit of everything from blog writing to podcast editing, to videos and YouTube, so I've been helping Mallory at the conference with the Career Center.

Speaker 2: 1:10

And what's the best thing about your job.

Speaker 4: 1:12

The best thing about my job is I get to do a little bit of everything, which means I get to meet a lot of people, I get to learn a lot of things and I just like being a jack of all trades, and this job allows me to do that Rock and roll.

Speaker 2: 1:23

Okay, so, as mentioned, this is day three, four, the final day of the conference. People are wrapping up. They're going home, which is terribly sad. What's been your experiences? Can you share a few highlights?

Speaker 4: 1:36

Yeah, my highlight has definitely been watching Dan Pink's keynote speech. He was amazing. I had not read any of his books and I was not really interested in his speech. Actually, I hate to say it, but he captivated me almost immediately and I left with a lot of good content. So I'm very excited to go read one of his books now.

Speaker 2: 1:54

What about you, Mallory?

Speaker 3: 1:55

For me, I think a highlight was running the Career Center. We've been able to help all types of people aside from those just attending. We actually had someone that was working at the conference center who started sitting in on the sessions and slowly but surely has become engaged and interested in talent development. So she came over and met with the speakers. She told us her backstory. She's been getting book signs, so just knowing that we're touching people outside of even those that are attending the conference has been really exciting also for me. At the Career Center we were offering resume reviews and coaching sessions, so we've noticed that people have really been able to come to the center and move forward with their lives and take away something other than what they just learned at the conference.

Speaker 2: 2:34

Love it, love it, and I got an email this morning. I think you said 9,000 attendees, is that right?

Speaker 4: 2:40

Yeah, sounds like what we were expecting.

Speaker 2: 2:42

Pretty good numbers and there was an online version as well that people could access. Is that right?

Speaker 3: 2:46

That's correct. It was available virtually as well.

Speaker 2: 2:49

And what's coming up next? You guys have got OrgDev in October.

Speaker 3: 2:52

OrgDev. Yes, as you know, that's my baby. I'm very excited about it October 7th through the 9th, so that is great for those who are focused on talent management. We've got a lot of offerings there, from belonging, mental wellness, dei, culture and inclusion. We're really covering the whole gamut. But we're excited to see people in Atlanta for that conference as well. Hopefully we'll have you there, bill. I would be remiss if I didn't see you there.

Speaker 2: 3:14

I've never been to Atlanta, so we could talk about this. Okay perfect, and that's the second year, isn't it, nope?

Speaker 3: 3:21

not the second year, but second year I'll be at Org.

Speaker 2: 3:23

Okay, okay.

Speaker 3: 3:24

Been going on for a few years but it's continuing to grow, really loving adding this segment more and more to ATD.

Speaker 2: 3:30

Yep, excellent. And for those folks who want to learn more about ATD, maybe come to the conference next year. Yes, where will it be? And from each of you. Why should they come?

Speaker 4: 3:40

It will be in Washington DC next year from May 18th to the 20th, I believe yeah, 20th or 21st, depending on how long you stay and the thing that you should look forward to is the Career Center, I think, because Mallory and I will be there again and we'll have even more of these great sessions, even more resume and coaching Life-changing speakers, life-changing speakers, life-changing coaching sessions, and I think we'll be excited to host everyone of the members so close to home.

Speaker 3: 4:08

So, as you might know, we're based in alexandria, virginia, right outside of dc's door, so it's like inviting everyone to our home very good.

Speaker 2: 4:16

Uh, chloe, if people want to connect with you, how can they do that linkedin email address? Are you all over the cool socials?

Speaker 4: 4:21

I am all over. Um, you should definitely check me out on LinkedIn. I've just started my LinkedIn journey. Thanks to ATD. They've been helping me figure out how to use LinkedIn, so follow me. Chloe Spera, just my full name. My email is also my full name at Gmail, so that would be the best way to reach me.

Speaker 2: 4:40

Perfect Mallory, this is not your first time on the show, but for those who missed the other episode, how can folks connect with you?

Speaker 3: 4:46

Yes, the best place to connect with me as well would be LinkedIn. Under my name, Mallory Flynn, and I can be reached at mflynn at tdorg.

Speaker 2: 4:54

Perfect. Chloe Mallory, thank you very much for your time. Thank you.

Speaker 1: 5:02

Thank you. Thanks for listening to the HR Chat Show. If you enjoyed this episode, why not subscribe and listen to some of the hundreds of episodes published by HR Gazette and remember for what's new in the world of work. Subscribe to the show, follow us on social media and visit hrgazettecom.