Dear ATD-LA Members and Community,

We would like to wish you a very happy and healthy 2024! It was such a pleasure to see many of you in person again at our holiday mixer in December. We look forward to connecting personally with each of you as we put the pandemic isolation behind us.

It seems that the years go by so quickly, and we here at ATD-LA are committed to adapting to the pace of change and making sure that you have a unique resource in your ATD-LA community.

Before sharing our thoughts for 2024, we would like to take a look back at some of the highlights of 2023.

• This was the first time that ATD-LA has had two Co-Presidents, demonstrating that when things evolve, all organizations can be nimble and innovative. It has been a joy to share the role between us, and our partnership is strong.
• We came back together for three in-person chapter events in the LA area and for the ATD International Conference and Expo in San Diego.
• In January, the Board developed a member value proposition that centered on being your exclusive resource for developing your competencies and network through chapter meetings and workshops featuring:
• • Emerging technology trends (the metaverse and augmented/virtual reality; artificial intelligence in learning design and delivery; and the gamification of learning)
  • Career development strategies (conducting an effective job search, identifying growth opportunities, and recognizing one’s own talents)
  • Hot topics that impact Learning and Talent Development professionals (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Sales Enablement, Imposter Syndrome)
  • Foundational knowledge and skills (emotional intelligence, neuroscience)
• Our Young Professionals Special Interest Group had a knockout year with excellent programming topics (for all members) and grew from being a local group to a Southern California group to a total California group. Talk about a rocket ship that just keeps going higher!
• The Mentor Program was a great success and gave many members the opportunity to learn and grow in ways that might not be available to them in the workplace or academic environment alone.
• Late in the year, we lost a dear member of the ATD-LA family, Sue Gabriele, who passionately led the Roundtable (formerly the South Bay GIG) with our ISPI colleagues. Sue was a longtime member of ATD-LA and a dedicated advocate of learning through discussion, dialogue, and questioning.  She will be greatly missed, and we are thankful for her contributions to our community.

Our Board is meeting in January 2024 to finalize this year’s strategy and goals. Be on the lookout for the update. Some things we would like to spotlight for 2024 are:

• Distinctiveness – We understand that there are many organizations and resources available for self-development under the Talent Development umbrella. As lines sometimes cross within Talent Development and HR, ATD-LA stands as a unique resource committed to the discipline of Learning & Development as a core focal point. Our programming for 2024 continues to center on this distinction.
• Membership – The heart and soul of this organization is our membership and the opportunity to build relationships that can last for years. We strive to provide the resources and opportunities that will help you build your own skills and nurture your network. As with many organizations, the pandemic has changed the face of engagement for all of us, and we have seen our membership dip.
• • If your membership is up for renewal, has expired, or has lapsed, now is the time to make sure that it is active and current so that you don’t miss a beat and we can all get to know one another.
  • If you have questions or thoughts about your membership, please reach out to us.
• Volunteerism – We are a volunteer organization where each volunteer gives a few hours per month to help the organization be its best. If you are looking for ways to develop leadership, sales, marketing, communication, networking, negotiation, and many other critical skills, we encourage you to volunteer with ATD-LA. If you are currently in transition or looking for new opportunities, volunteering with ATD-LA is a great way to keep your pulse on the industry and build a referral network.
• Engagement, Programming, and Value – ATD-LA continues to evolve our offerings to you. With so many opportunities to learn new things easily available at your fingertips, we are always looking for ways to give you individualized and quality programs and networking opportunities. We are proud to be a 2024 ATD Certified Provider so that you can receive continuing education credits for participating in our programs. We will also offer members-only access to events and programs with other ATD chapters in the region. Stay tuned!

Thank you for your time and attention, and we look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Sincerely,

Anupa Naik and Valerie Quezada
Presidents, ATD-LA