ATD25 – 30 years for Trainers Warehouse

Trainers Warehouse has been going to ATD (Association for Talent Development) for over 30 years! Okay, we haven’t attended EVERY year, but I started going before officially joining my dad’s young business in 1995. I was just 31 years old and he 61 (you do the math). At the time, ATD was still called ASTD (American Society of Training & Development). While every year is a little different, each lets us tap into the training industry trends, reminisce with colleagues, and meet new training professionals.

BACK IN THE DAY

Favorite ATD memories include my dad bounding onto the exhibit floor with unbridled excitement. When we were all set up, he’d welcome attendees, P.T. Barnum-style, promising magical solutions to every training challenge. One year, we set up a 30-foot booth loaded with products and cash registers. While we could hardly manage the swarms of visitors, our consultant-type neighbors across the aisle looked over in disbelief and (I’m guessing) a tad of jealousy. Over the years, we had to scale back the madness of selling $5.00 overhead pointers and focus on meeting new customers, discussing creative training solutions, and answering questions.

AN OASIS FOR TRAINERS

ATD speakers and presenters often stop by to say hello, see what’s new, or tell us how they just used one of our products in their session. When they do, I love watching them pick up a favorite training tool and explain how it works to whoever is around. Seeing trainers help trainers so richly captures the spirit and community of ATD.

I also smile when booth visitors return two or three times, bringing along colleagues or managers, to show them a training tool they hope to launch in a company-wide initiative. They start brainstorming and creating on the spot! Hearing folks talk excitedly about how they might put our tools to use never gets old!

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Occasionally, we’ve surveyed customers, asking what training needs aren’t being met. The challenge is that trainers don’t realize they need something until they see its potential to make their training more engaging and memorable. Nonetheless, we always come away from ATD with handfuls of ideas — new product extensions, features we hadn’t thought about, new applications of old tools, or seasoned trainers who want to work together to bring a new product to market.

GETTING IN ON THE ACTION

With pride, I say that our booth looks pretty fun. Some call it a “candy store for trainers.” Or, they’ll say, “Oh you guys have all the fun stuff.” As you can imagine, it can all be a bit intoxicating. A few even ask what it might take to become a reseller, affiliate, or sell our tools in a different country or region. We’re always on the lookout for brand ambassadors!

ATD 2025

This year will be a special one for me at ATD. Here’s what I’m looking forward to:

Show & Share: If you’ve visited us before, please take a moment to tell a new visitor about a favorite tool or technique. Let’s build the camaraderie and model mutual support and positivity that our country needs. Better yet, sign up to co-facilitate a Zoom where you can share your favorite tools, techniques, tricks, and tips with our training community.
New products: We have a few new products that I’m thrilled to show this year, including several new Thumballs and two new fidget toys that arrived at our warehouse this week! As usual, I’ll be on the lookout for more new tools and resources to add to our mix. If you have an idea you want to talk through let me know so we can schedule a time to talk.
Local ATD Chapters: We realize not everyone can make it to ATD’s International ICE event. We’ve begun working with local ATD chapters to bring Trainers Warehouse, tools, energy, and fun to your regional events. We hope to support your organizations with door prizes, discounts, and mag-a-logs with oodles of brain-science tips for trainers.
My boys! My sons will be helping me at the booth. They might not be able to answer all of your questions, and I know trainers are a forgiving bunch. I’ll have to dig out the old “I’m in Training” pins we used to sell.

#TalentDevelopment; #ATD25; #LearningandDevelopment