The LTEN Annual Conference: Learning for the Field
DIRECTIONS – Dawn Brehm
With less than two months to go before the 48th LTEN Annual Conference (June 3-6 in Grapevine, Texas), field sales trainers around the country are gearing up to join their colleagues for the annual event. Are we going to see you there?
The conference is shaping up to be another record-breaking event and an outstanding opportunity for you to come together with other field professionals to learn valuable information to develop skills and careers. The conference will again have a full track of workshops for field trainers, as well as the chance to network with peers and learn from the shared experiences of your industry colleagues.
In getting ready to welcome our field friends again, LTEN recently reached out to get your thoughts on the annual conference and the benefits of attendance. Thanks to everyone who shared his perspectives.
We started by asking about your challenges and needs, and I’m happy to report the conference will address many of these challenges, such as staying current, training new and experienced representatives, motivating teams, adult learning and time management. Keep an eye on www.LTENconference.com for updates to the agenda so you can begin to plan the sessions you’ll want to attend.
We’ve selected some great keynote speakers with inspiring messages and the targeted networking is unmatched for life sciences trainers. Perhaps most importantly, the workshops will be built to align with your stated needs, including:
- Communications
- Staying connected
- Working with different learning types
- Selling skills
- Creating/controlling engagement
- Remote/mobile training
- Time and classroom management
Of course, attendance to any professional event typically starts with securing approvals from supervisors. We asked about that, and while some trainers have difficulties, most of you said it’s an “easy sell” to convince your boss to take advantage of the value for professional development at a conference targeted specifically for life science trainers.
- “My attendance is encouraged” one respondent said.
- “We are planning to attend LTEN as a group,” another said.
- “It would be a benefit to the entire team,” added another respondent.
If getting approvals is a challenge for you, I’ll again point you to the LTENconference.com website, where you can find a sample letter you can use, or customize, to share with your leadership. There’s also a worksheet available to help you calculate the cost of attendance and an additional worksheet to help you plan your time and ensure travel objectives are met. Look for those materials under the Registration tab (“Justify Your Visit”).
If you talk to any of your colleagues or network members who have attended the LTEN Annual Conference, I’m confident you’ll get a strong endorsement of the value it can offer. The LTEN team, the Field Training Committee and the LTEN Board of Directors look forward to having you join us to share your own experiences.
Be sure to look at the LTENconference.com website to arm yourself with the information needed to close the deal. We’re looking forward to seeing you in Grapevine this June!
Dawn Brehm is executive director of LTEN. Email Dawn at dbrehm@L-TEN.org.
Conference Keynotes
In the field trainer survey, many of you selected keynote presentations as one of the most valuable aspects of the LTEN Annual Conference. For this year’s event, we’ve selected three top speakers whose messages will resonate with you. The conference will address many common challenges for field trainers.
Shawn Achor will discuss his work on the power of happiness, stress reduction and positive psychology.
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Nicole Malachowski will talk about achieving dreams and fostering indomitable spirits.
Futurist and author Seth Mattison will speak on talent management, leading change and the future of work.
Find out more about the keynote speakers at www.LTENconference.com.
