.png)
2025 COATD LearnFest
We are excited to bring you a mini-conference with maximum impact.
⭐ Upskill and network all before lunchtime.
⭐ Two workshops AND a keynote speaker!
Workshop #1
Hook, Line & Thinker: Marketing Tactics for Irresistible Training
by Mike Taylor
In today's distraction-filled workplace, getting learners to engage with training content feels like an uphill battle. Dry, forgettable materials get ignored, while critical information fails to stick. How can L&D professionals compete for attention without resorting to gimmicks?
In this interactive, hands-on workshop Mike Taylor reveals the psychology-backed techniques marketers use to capture attention and drive action—reimagined specifically for learning design:
- Six attention triggers that make learning content impossible to ignore
- How to craft headlines and titles that hook learners instantly
- Simple readability techniques that dramatically improve retention
- Tools that measure and optimize your content's effectiveness
Join us with your laptop and a free Generative AI tool like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or CoPilot. (No prior experience needed!) We'll guide you through transforming learning materials, providing practical skills you can use right away. Perfect for L&D professionals who want their training to compete—and win—in the battle for attention.
About Mike:
With over two decades of experience as a learning consultant, Mike has been a driving force behind transformative instructional design and organizational performance. Known for his captivating speaking style and influential newsletter, Mike is dedicated to making learning more engaging, accessible, and effective. As a faculty member in Franklin University's Graduate Instructional Design and Technology program, he bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world practice, equipping future learning professionals with the skills to excel in today's dynamic landscape.
Workshop #2
Andragogy Unleashed: Training Toward Skill & Behavior Change
By Dakota Tevis
This workshop focuses on integrating principles of adult learning with the neuroscience of behavior change, with a little support from Wynnie, a therapy dog! Wynnie and Dakota will be working through simple training exercises that demonstrate how a behavior change is shaped in our canine friends, and through the gift of analogy, we will dive into our more complex ways to shape behavior change in our training audiences.
About Dakota:
Dakota Tevis is the Instructional Design Group Lead for North American Technical Development at Honda. She gets to work with Honda Associates all over North America to develop training to facilitate the quality and safe creation of Honda vehicles. Dakota has a Bachelor of Musical Arts with a focus in Education from Bowling Green State University, and a Master of Education in Instructional Design from Western Governors University. Dakota is currently working on a PhD in Psychology – Cognition & Instruction, from Grand Canyon University, where her research interests include metacognition, motivation to learn and retain, and psychometric validity.
Closing Keynote
The Future is Now: Unlocking the Power of Tomorrow's Leaders Today
by Toni Bell, Phoenix Consulting Co
Leadership is less about a title than it is about influence, impact, and the ability to inspire others to move forward together. Today’s leaders must master the art of leadership, the discipline of followership and synergy of collaboration. Knowing when to take the lead and when to learn from those around you is a superpower. Update your leadership toolbox with tried and true elements of great leadership – vision, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and integrity. Balance those elements with fundamentals of what it takes to be a great team member: thinking like a leader while remaining in the role the team needs you in at this moment, true listening, and personal accountability. Explore what it takes to help people and organizations rise: the courage to change the status quo, the humility to keep learning, and the resilience to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
About Toni:
Toni Bell is the dynamic Founder, CEO & Chief Learning Officer of Phoenix Consulting Co where she merges social science with leadership innovation to create transformative experiences that inspire and empower. Her firm has worked with top Fortune 500 companies like Rolls Royce and Gulfstream, academic entities including The Ohio State University, and nonprofits such as United Way and Boys and Girls Club. With a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Harvard University, Toni blends the latest research with actionable strategies. When Toni speaks, audiences leave motivated, equipped, and ready to lead with a shared vision that aligns with their values for greater impact.
