ATD Austin upcoming events

2026 Talent Development Summit | From Leading to Building: Moving Beyond the Blueprint (13 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

2026 ATD Austin Talent Development Summit

From Leading to Building

Moving Beyond the Blueprint

About "From Leading to Building"

Great ideas need more than a plan. They need people willing to build.

This year’s Talent Development Summit is about moving from vision to action. Moving Beyond the Blueprint explores what happens after the strategy is set and the plan is on paper: the work of turning ideas into programs, practices, systems, and cultures that make a lasting impact.

Throughout the Summit, we’ll focus on the real work of building in talent development. That means practical approaches you can put to use, honest conversations about what works and what doesn’t, and opportunities to learn alongside other professionals navigating similar challenges.

This isn’t just a day to collect ideas. It’s a day to work with them.

Come ready to explore, collaborate, and build what’s next.

The Summit Is Sold Out, But You Can Still Join Us Virtually!

The 2026 ATD Austin Talent Development Summit is officially sold out! We're excited to welcome a full house of talent development professionals on November 13.

Couldn't get a ticket? You can still experience our keynote speaker, Kraig Kann, live from the Summit!

In Green Shoes in a Gray World: Building People Worth Following, Kraig will challenge us to discover what makes us stand out, recognize our unique strengths, and make a meaningful impact.

Friday, November 13 | 9:30–11:00 AM CT
Virtual Admission: $15

REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL KEYNOTE

Virtual registration includes Kraig Kann's keynote presentation only, not the full Summit.

Logistics

Date: Friday, November 13, 2026

Time: 9am - 4pm CT

Location: ACC Rio Grande Campus | Building 1000, Room 1103 | 1212 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701

Registration: SOLD OUT!

The 2026 ATD Austin Talent Development Summit is officially sold out! Thank you for the incredible response. We look forward to welcoming a full house on November 13.

Still want to join us? Experience Kraig Kann's keynote live online for just $15.

Explore the Virtual Keynote + Register

Want to join us for the post-Summit Networking Happy Hour?

Members and guests can add the Happy Hour to their Summit registration for $20.

Meet the Speakers Sponsor

Networking Happy Hour

End the Summit with connection and conversation at our Networking Happy Hour at Small Victory. Even if you're not attending the Summit, you can still join us for the Happy Hour. Enjoy two drink tickets, appetizers, and time to connect with fellow attendees.

Time: 4:00 – 7:00 PM

Summit Attendees: Add the Happy Hour to your Summit registration for $20.

New Membership + Summit Bundle: Happy Hour admission is included at no additional cost.

Happy Hour Only: $30

Meet the Speakers

Get to know the thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators shaping this year’s Summit. Explore keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and the full event lineup.

Meet the Speakers

Who Should Attend

The 2026 Talent Development Summit brings together professionals who develop people, strengthen organizations, and shape the future of work. Attendees will include:

Talent development practitioners who design, deliver, and measure learning

Learning and development leaders guiding strategy and driving impact

HR and organizational development professionals strengthening workplace culture and performance

Instructional designers and learning technologists creating innovative learning experiences

Coaches, facilitators, and consultants helping individuals and teams grow

Business leaders and people managers invested in developing their teams

Whether you’re growing your own capabilities, strengthening your organization, or developing the next generation of leaders, you’ll find practical ideas, meaningful connections, and a community of peers at the Summit.

Venue

The 2026 Talent Development Summit will be hosted at Austin Community College’s Rio Grande Campus, located in the heart of Austin.

This central location will bring our talent development community together for a full day of learning, collaboration, and connection as we Move Beyond the Blueprint.

View parking map

Virtual Event: Green Shoes in a Gray World: Building People Worth Following (13 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Green Shoes in a Gray World: Building People Worth Following

A Virtual Keynote Experience with Kraig Kann

Friday, November 13, 2026
9:30 – 11:00 AM CST
Virtual Event | $15

The Summit Is Sold Out, But You Can Still Join Us Virtually!

We're excited to welcome Kraig Kann as the keynote speaker at the 2026 ATD Austin Talent Development Summit! With the in-person event sold out, we're opening up a special opportunity to experience Kraig's keynote virtually.

Whether you couldn't secure a seat or simply can't make it to Austin, we invite you to join us online for this inspiring session.

About the Keynote

In a world filled with sameness, the leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact are the ones willing to stand out with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Green Shoes in a Grey World is a high-energy keynote experience designed to help talent development professionals think differently about how they develop people, elevate leaders, and build cultures where individuals are not simply trained to fit in — but encouraged to show up in a way that makes them worth following.

Key Takeaways

Helping People Learn to Show Up: Attendees will learn why leadership and executive presence begin before a person ever says a word. This takeaway focuses on confidence, energy, body language, authenticity, and the way people are experienced by others in meetings, presentations, conversations, and moments of influence.

Helping People Learn to Stand Out: Attendees will explore the importance of brand differentiation and identifying a personal “superpower.” This takeaway helps talent leaders recognize how to develop people who understand what makes them valuable, unique, and capable of creating greater impact inside their organization.

Helping People Be Remembered: Attendees will discover how stronger presentation skills and storytelling help people move beyond simply sharing information. This takeaway focuses on helping leaders and team members communicate with greater clarity, connection, and purpose so their message is heard, remembered, and acted upon.

Whether you're developing leaders, supporting talent growth, or looking to elevate your own professional impact, this keynote will leave you with fresh perspectives on what it means to stand out and lead with intention.

Join Us Virtually!

Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 9:30 – 11:00 AM CST
Location: Virtual (joining details provided to registered attendees)
Registration: $15 per person

Please note: Virtual registration includes access to Kraig Kann's keynote presentation only, not the full Talent Development Summit.

Register today and join us for the Elevate Experience!

About Your Speaker:

Kraig Kann doesn't just take the stage—he's an entrepreneurial powerhouse who commands it with the energy of a network broadcaster and the insight of a boardroom strategist.

A 25-year media veteran and original on-air talent at NBC's Golf Channel, Kraig later served as Chief Communications Officer at the LPGA, where he led global media strategy and brand growth—helping lift the organization to unprecedented heights and international headlines . His impact included global partnerships with KPMG, Kia, Rolex, ANA, and others, while mentoring athletes and teams on brand, voice and the real value of storytelling.

Today, he's a sought-after speaker and the driving force behind Kann Advisory Group, where his "Elevate Experience" programming has impacted Fortune 500 companies, global brands, and elite sports organizations . He travels the signature "Elevate Workshop", and coaches high-performing executives through his trademarked "Brand New You" program . He's also an award-winning author (Can You Get Our Attention?), a former SiriusXM host (Connected with Kraig Kann), and the voice behind the Tracks To Success podcast featuring top business leaders, entertainers, celebrities and athletes.

Kraig's speaking audiences include the likes of Accenture, KPMG, Microsoft, Chicago Cubs, Marriott, Krilogy, Transamerica, Missouri Lottery, Diamond Resorts, Taco Bell, Gallagher, PGA of America, Titleist and Massage Envy.

Chicago native, father of 3, Kraig is a 30-year resident of Orlando, Florida.

Summit Networking Happy Hour @ Small Victory (13 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Summit Networking Happy Hour

Wrap up the ATD Austin 2026 Talent Development Summit with an evening of connection, conversation, and community. Join fellow attendees for a relaxed networking event to continue the day’s energy.

Learn more about the Summit

Logistics

Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: Small Victory | 108 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701

What’s included:

2 drink tickets
Lite bites to share
Reserved space for the ATD Austin community

Tickets

Summit + Happy Hour Registrants
Already added the Happy Hour when you registered for the Summit? You’re all set! Your name will automatically be added to the Happy Hour guest list. No additional registration is needed.

New Membership + Summit Bundle
Happy Hour admission is included with your bundle, and you’ll automatically be added to the guest list. No additional registration is needed.

Happy Hour Only: $30
Not attending the Summit or didn’t add the Happy Hour when you registered? You can still join us for $30.

Come ready to relax, make new connections, and keep the conversations going.

Personal & Professional Development Community | Pulled in Every Direction: Practical Tools for Clearer Decisions at Work and in Life (17 Nov 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Personal & Professional Development Community

Pulled in Every Direction: Practical Tools for Clearer Decisions at Work and in Life

If your workday often feels like a steady stream of competing priorities, changing expectations, limited resources, and decisions that all seem to matter at once, you are not imagining it. ATD’s 2026 State of the Industry research reflects that reality: 46% of talent development professionals identify prioritizing multiple demands as one of their top three challenges, 33% cite scaling with few resources, and 27% point to coping with the pace of change.

The question is not how to make the complexity disappear. It is how to navigate it without feeling pulled in every direction.

In this highly interactive Community of Practice session, we will work with two practical tools designed to help you make clearer decisions when the answer is not obvious. One will help you recognize the personal beliefs, pressures, or assumptions that may be shaping your choices. The other will help you sort through competing demands and decide what deserves your attention, what can wait, and what may need to be renegotiated or declined.

Bring a real decision or challenge you are currently facing. We will use the session to work through the kinds of situations you are actually dealing with, so you leave with a clearer way to think, decide, and move forward.

Participants will leave with:

A way to notice what is influencing their decisions besides the actual facts — for example, the need to please, fear of disappointing someone, pressure to prove themselves, or the belief that they should be able to handle everything.

A practical tool for sorting through competing demands at work — so they can decide what needs attention now, what can wait, what can be delegated, and what may need to be renegotiated or declined.

A simple process for making decisions and moving forward without continually second-guessing themselves — at work and in their personal lives.

About Your Speaker:

Isla Reddin, Corporate Performance Coach

Isla Reddin is a corporate performance coach passionate about bringing diverse tools and strategies to support individuals and teams to grow and reach their desired goals. Her background in curriculum design, training, and project management informs her coaching practice. Isla believes new tools and paradigms of learning need to be constantly created to meet the needs of individuals and society.

In her early career, Isla supported global sales, media, and PR events for international automotive, pharmaceutical, and financial services companies. In the past 15 years, she has worked in Europe and the US as a consultant and corporate performance coach with multiple clients, and as an entrepreneur in the tech, and education spaces. She understands how to help leaders and teams handle the diverse challenges they face with practical, creative, and flexible solutions.

New, Current, and Prospective Member Welcome 2026 (20 Nov 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

We are excited that you want to learn more about the ATD Austin Chapter and the value of membership!

Please join us for a 30-minute orientation to our chapter professional development and networking opportunities.

New, existing, or prospective members are welcome to join!

Meeting Details will be sent in an email upon registering. Reach out to Chelsea Delbar at membership@tdaustin.org with any questions.

New to Zoom?

Visit https://zoom.us/download to download the Zoom client to join the call.

Instructional Design Community (10 Dec 2026)

Thu, 10 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Instructional Design Community

Join ATD Austin’s Instructional Design Community of Practice for an engaging session focused on building and refining instructional design skills. Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned professional, this event will provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and opportunities to connect with other learning professionals.

What to Expect:

A deep dive into key instructional design topics

Practical takeaways you can apply to your work

Opportunities to network and exchange ideas with fellow instructional designers

This session is designed to help you stay ahead of industry trends, tackle common challenges, and enhance the effectiveness of your learning programs.

ATD Austin Social @ The Wizard Academy (17 Dec 2026)

Fri, 18 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Cheers to Learning & Leading

ATD Austin's Holiday Social

We're closing out the year the best way we know how, together!

Join ATD Austin at Wizard Academy for our annual holiday social. It's a chance to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections, and celebrate another year of learning, growth, and community.

This year, we're adding a few special touches to the evening, including a tour of Wizard Academy, holiday bites and refreshments, and an optional whiskey tasting.

What to Expect

A chance to connect: Catch up with fellow talent development professionals, meet new people, and enjoy a relaxed evening together.

Explore Wizard Academy: Take a tour of this unique Austin venue.

Holiday bites and refreshments: Enjoy food and drinks while you mingle.

An optional whiskey tasting: Available for those who'd like to participate.

All activities and refreshments are included with registration.

Help Us Spread a Little Holiday Cheer

As we come together to celebrate the season, we'd also love to give back to our Austin community.

We're hosting a holiday toy drive to help bring some joy to local children. If you're attending, please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate.

It's a small gesture that can make the holidays a little brighter for a child and their family.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, December 17, 2026
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Location: Wizard Academy, Austin, TX

Come toast to 2027 and all the learning ahead!

New, Current, and Prospective Member Welcome 2026 (18 Dec 2026)

Fri, 18 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

We are excited that you want to learn more about the ATD Austin Chapter and the value of membership!

Please join us for a 30-minute orientation to our chapter professional development and networking opportunities.

New, existing, or prospective members are welcome to join!

Meeting Details will be sent in an email upon registering. Reach out to Chelsea Delbar at membership@tdaustin.org with any questions.

New to Zoom?

Visit https://zoom.us/download to download the Zoom client to join the call.

CPTD Study Group Spring 2027 Informational Session (FREE) (16 Feb 2027)

Wed, 17 Feb 2027 00:30:00 GMT

CPTD Study Group

Spring Cohort - Free Information Session

This free information session will give you an overview of the virtual study group and what you can expect. This study group is designed for talent development professionals who are pursuing the CPTD designation.

Attend the free information session on Tuesday, February 16, 2027 6:30 CST to learn about the certification.

The cohort will run Tuesdays, February 23 - May 11 from 6:30 - 8:30 CST.

WHO CAN REGISTER:

The study group is open to anyone, anywhere who is interested in pursuing the CPTD certification.

International participants are welcome.

ATD or ATD Chapter membership is not required, but ATD partner chapters receive discounted pricing on registration for the full cohort.

MEETING DETAILS:

Registered participants will be sent the virtual meeting logon information 24 hours in advance of the session. Virtual meeting times are:

4:30 to 6:30 pm Pacific Time

5:30 to 7:30 pm Mountain Time

6:30 to 8:30 pm Central Time

7:30 to 9:30 pm Eastern Time

INFORMATION SESSION REGISTRATION:

Please note, this event is only the free information session, if you would like to attend the entire cohort, please register for both the info session and cohort.

Enjoy complimentary access to our Spring/Fall Sessions as a Chapter member! Non-member rate is $100. Chapter members, contact Amy Limbacher at CPTD@tdaustin.org before registering for your cohort to get your free registration code.

Register for the Info Session Register for the Spring Cohort

CPTD Study Group Fall 2027 Informational Session (FREE) (24 Aug 2027)

Tue, 24 Aug 2027 23:30:00 GMT