Transformational: ASTD Conference:

This week's ASTD 2014 International Conference & EXPO (ICE) was transformational on many levels. 

I was personally transformed by the conference thanks to a powerful, unforgettable conversation in a deli near the convention center where I innocently popped in to quickly pick up a cuppa joe and a heavily smeared pumpernickel bagel. Two hours later I left after a powerful conversation with Pat and Angela that still requires time for reflection. Angela taught me how two people, so different on the outside, can go through such similar life journeys and internal dialogue. The human experience can be much more shared that we realize.

The workshop led by Vicki Halsey (left) was professionally transforming. Vicki gave us an elegant framework for designing any teaching/training experience, be it face-to-face or in the distance-learning environment. She based her workshop on her book Brilliance by Design. Hearing Vicki speak and her gift of her book was my "rock star moment" of the conference. I've already started to dig into her book, and I am really impressed.

I went to several sessions covering the neurology of learning. I am going to deeply research this topic since everything in the body happens at the cellular level. I am hungry to learn what happens at the cellular level during learning...

...And with blessed serendipity, my last conversation of the conference was about the neurology of learning. Geoff Peate, in D.C. from Australia, really knows his stuff on this topic.

ICE was a preeminent networking event.

I probably passed out 150 business cards and have dozens and dozens of people I must reach out to. I met fascinating people during two "meet 'n eat" dinners and had a great walk to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum with Cindy Petersen of the Taubman Museum of Art for the networking dinner. While I met many fine folk at the museum, my conversation with Mark Magnussen of The Citadel was particularly fascinating.

My brother Ned and I ate at a restaurant near the Nats' stadium the day after the conference. The sign on the door next to the restaurant pretty much sums up my new mantra. As my experience at ICE demonstrates, if you want to transform yourself or your students, you must engage.