GCATD upcoming events

Workshop: The Science & Showmanship of Great Training (23 Oct 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Science & Showmanship of Great Training explores how trainers can design learning experiences that are interactive, memorable, and meaningful. Participants will examine how adult learners engage with content, why passive information alone rarely creates lasting learning, and how movement, storytelling, challenge, games, and discussion can be used with purpose—not as gimmicks, but as tools for deeper engagement.

Through a mix of examples, discussion, and hands-on practice, participants will discover the “Learning Experience Arc” and apply it to their own training design. The session culminates in an interactive challenge where trainers transform abstract or difficult-to-teach topics into practical, engaging learning activities they can adapt for their own audiences.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Nathan Floom is the Senior Manager of Learning and Development in Sinclair’s Workforce Development Department. For over a decade, he has helped leaders and teams across industries become rock stars in their roles. Each year, Nathan delivers around 100 high-energy training sessions known for their engaging, practical, and interactive approach to building real-world leadership skills. He is a certified facilitator of Patrick Lencioni’s The 6 Types of Working Genius and a qualified facilitator of the AFS Global Up–Global Competence program. In 2023, he was nominated for Teacher of the Year in the Adult Education category for the Southwest Ohio region. Nathan holds a BFA, an MA, and a certificate in Instructional Design from the Association for Talent Development. He is also an Eagle Scout.

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM; Doors open at 7:45 AM with networking available until 10:00 AM. Continental Breakfast will be provided.

Conveners: Kim Breeze, Bob Riess, Jonathan Wilson

Webinar: Conference Takeaways & Networking (05 Nov 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Keep the momentum going! The 2026 Conference may be behind us, but the learning journey continues! You're invited to an engaging conversation where we’ll reflect on what we learned, share “aha!” moments, and connect with fellow attendees.

Whether you attended the conference or not, this is a valuable opportunity to:

Hear what resonated most with your peers.
Share your own insights and impactful moments.
Learn from sessions you may have missed.
Network with colleagues across departments.

Didn’t attend the conference? No problem! You’re still welcome to join, learn, and be inspired.

Let’s keep the conversation going and continue growing together. Don’t miss this energizing and collaborative experience!

Host: Amber Engle, Professional Development Committee member.

Webinar: Pages to Practice - The First 20 Hours (09 Dec 2026)

Wed, 09 Dec 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill but felt overwhelmed by the time, effort, or expertise required? In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman challenges the belief that mastery requires thousands of hours of practice. Instead, he introduces a practical approach to rapid skill acquisition, showing how anyone can become proficient at a new skill with focused, deliberate practice during the first twenty hours.

In our discussion, we'll explore how learning professionals, HR practitioners, and leaders can apply these principles to accelerate their own development, build confidence in new areas, and create learning experiences that encourage continuous growth for others.

Not a reader? Don’t worry, all attendees can prepare for the discussion, by choosing their way to engage with the material:

Read a book: Get a copy of The First 20 Hours by Josh Kaufman from your local library, or check out the Libby App (free use).
Read an book summary: The First 20 Hours — Josh Kaufman | Summary & notes | Gianmarco David
Watch a video: The first 20 hours -- how to learn anything | Josh Kaufman | TEDxCSU

ABOUT PAGES TO PRACTICE

Pages to Practice are informal discussions where we bring learning professionals together to move beyond just reading and into application.

Each session centers on a shared book, guided discussion, and practical exploration of how key ideas translated into behavior change, learning design, organizational impact, etc.

Participants engage with peers to share experiences, and practical takeaways they can use immediately. Every session concludes with intentional networking, pairing participants to deepen relationships and extend learning beyond the meeting. Come for the insights and discussion—leave with connections and action.

Participants will leave this session with:

Apply principles from The First 20 Hours to design learning experiences that help employees build skills faster
Identify common barriers that prevent learners from developing new capabilities and strategies to overcome them
Explore how learning professionals can foster a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and skill development

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Cody Messmore, Learning and Development Systems Manager, General Electric Credit Union

Cody Messmore has over 15 years of experience in learning and development with a focus on instructional design, program management, and professional development. Currently he is the L&D Systems Manager at General Electric Credit Union where he is the L&D Systems Manager at General Electric Credit Union where he supports the Learning Management System (LMS) as well as managing several learning initiatives across the business.

Webinar: The Mindset of a Champion: The Secret Weapon for High-Performance Leadership (15 Dec 2026)

Tue, 15 Dec 2026 17:00:00 GMT

In today’s high-pressure work environment, mental fitness has become essential for effective leadership and sustainable performance.

In this interactive session, Todd Bertsch helps leaders and teams strengthen resilience, improve focus, and manage stress more effectively by shifting from reactive thinking to intentional action under pressure.

Participants will leave this session with:

Recognize how stress and reactive thought patterns can interfere with leadership effectiveness, decision-making, and performance.
Identify common mental habits that can undermine resilience, focus, and well-being.
Apply a simple mental fitness technique to pause, reframe, and respond more intentionally in challenging moments.
Explore how mental fitness can strengthen resilience and sustainable performance for both leaders and the people they support.
Identify one practical action they can immediately use to begin strengthening their mental fitness.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Todd Bertsch is a keynote speaker, mental fitness coach, and entrepreneur who helps leaders and teams perform at their best without sacrificing their well-being. With 20 years of executive leadership experience and more than five years practicing and coaching Positive Intelligence®, Todd blends behavioral science, real-world leadership experience, and practical tools to help people manage stress, strengthen resilience, and lead with greater intention.

Pages to Practice: Developing Human Capability for the Digital Workplace (18 Feb 2027)

Thu, 18 Feb 2027 17:00:00 GMT

As our investment in new technologies increases, we must ensure we are investing just as intentionally in the team members expected to use these technology tools.

Join us as we explore the concept of digital flourishing and consider how we can be a primary driver in developing human capability that complements technology and maximizes its impact. We'll examine the influence of cognitive capacity, digital friction, workplace culture, and intentional learning—and what these concepts mean for the future of organizational learning and development.

To prepare for the discussion, you can choose one or more ways to engage:

Read a book: The Future of Happiness, by Amy Blankson
Read an article: “Why Hasn’t AI Made Work Easier?” by Cal Newport (author of Deep Work)
Watch a video: The Future of Happiness: Getting Unstuck in the Digital Era, by Amy Blankson (TedX talk)

ABOUT PAGES TO PRACTICE

Pages to Practice are informal discussions where we bring learning professionals together to move beyond just reading and into application.

Each session centers on a shared book, guided discussion, and practical exploration of how key ideas translated into behavior change, learning design, organizational impact, etc.

Participants will leave this session with:

Explore the concept of digital flourishing and its relevance to today's workplace and workforce
Examine how cognitive capacity, digital friction, and workplace culture influence learning, performance, and adoption of new technologies.
Identify opportunities for Learning & Development professionals to intentionally build the human capabilities that enable people—and technology—to perform at their best together.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Elisabeth Galperin | Founder, Peak Productivity, Owner

Elisabeth Galperin is the founder of Peak Productivity. As an executive coach, trainer and speaker, she is passionate about helping professionals perform at their peak & reach their potential in all facets of life. Elisabeth works collaboratively with clients to improve personal habits, define & implement business systems, increase productivity & consistently perform at their peak – while avoiding burn-out and overcoming overwhelm. Her mission is to help leaders maximize their personal and professional potential while building sustainable and successful organizations that make a positive impact on our world.