Perspectives
SLS: A Mind-Tingling Time
by Shirley Fine Lee
I once said that the Southwest Learning Summit & Exposition (SLS) is more fun for training professionals than a roller coaster at the state fair. I still believe this because this annual event remains one of the best places in Texas to find out what is: new in the industry, old but still works, or a different twist on a traditional approach. I’m sure you are anticipating the event too and right now are asking the 5 W’s plus an H. Below you will find answers to your questions.
WHAT is SLS? (View Video)
It's a full-day event for anyone who would benefit from the informational break out sessions, networking with other professionals in your field, or by meeting with suppliers of training and development materials.
WHEN is the 2007 SLS?
The 7th Annual Southwest Learning Summit & Exhibition will be on Tuesday, August 21, 2007. It starts at 8:30am and goes until 3:00pm. The Dallas ASTD lunch program featuring a special speaker will be from 11:15am - 1:00pm.
WHERE will SLS be this year?
This Dallas ASTD sponsored event will be held at the Addison Conference Centre located at 15650 Addison Road in Addison, Texas 75001.
WHO will be at SLS?
Dallas ASTD members and other interested human resource development professionals you can network with. There will be many exhibitors and presenters who will provide new learning opportunities and great information on products and services. Some of the T&D vendors who are returning from last year with new exhibits include:
University of Texas at Dallas / Project Management MS/MBA Program
There will also be new exhibits provided by these T&D vendors:
American Management Association
Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center
Informational sessions will be presented on the following topics:
Beyond the Course, John Shearer, The Learning Agency
Consulting Skills—Becoming a Collaborative Strategic Partner with Mary Jo Huard of Southwest Training Institute
English Training Enhancement for the Multi-Cultural Workforce with Leslie Neal of Global English Training
Having Fun at Facilitating Organizational Change - Can This Be Possible? with Penny Gee of GEE-Force
Interactive Training Room of the Future with Rene Yzaguirre of Schoolhouse Audio-Visual
Make It or Break It with eLearning: Plan Ahead and Avoid Pitfalls with Clare Davis of MLink Technologies, Inc.
On Demand Learning for Leadership Development, David Eubanks, SkillSoft
Recipe for Learning with David Cegelski of Dynamic Growth Strategies & Jaynie Schultz of Garrett Creek Ranch
The Blended Learning Journey with Fritz Petree of Petree & Associates, LLC
Training for Behavioral Change - The Power of Dialogue-Based Learning, Davidella Floyd/Loraine Price, The Peer Group - Training Division
Visual Communication- Are you in Your Right Mind? with Holly St. John Peck, CLC of Peck Training
What It Takes to Be the Best Place to Learn with Jim Cross of Freese and Nichols, Inc. (Dallas ASTD 2006 Best Place to Learn award)
Check the SLS page of the Dallas ASTD website for more details and updates as vendor application closes in August.
WHY should I attend SLS?
If the above hasn’t convinced you, then take a look at the photos from last year that accompanies the 2006 success article “Learning Summit: What a day!” by clicking on the links under each photo in article.
HOW much does SLS cost?
Attendance to the Expo and informational presentations are FREE! If you wish to hear the motivational speaker that will be there during lunch, you will need to pay the luncheon fee for attending that. To register for the lunch program “Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay” with Sharon Jordan-Evans, visit the Dallas ASTD website at http://www.dallasastd.org/.
Come join us for a mind-tingling event you will look forward to every year from now on. You can believe me when I tell you the Southwest Learning Summit & Exposition is a great place to be in the heat of a Texas summer.
About the Author: Shirley Fine Lee is the author of “R.A!R.A! A Meeting Wizard’s Approach”, which is a quick guide to planning and conducting meetings so that they are as productive, effectual, and smoothly run as possible. She has considerable training and expertise in leading effective meetings herself, as well as training others within the corporate world to be able to do the same. She has extensive experience helping organizations with their team building, training development, meeting facilitation, presentation delivery, and other communication needs. Shirley has worked as a training and development specialist since 1986, and an independent consultant since 2000, when she joined Dallas ASTD. Shirley has been on various committees, attends SIGS, and served the board since joining Dallas ASTD. You can find out more about Shirley and how to contact her on her website at http://www.shirleyfinelee.com/.