Where people who develop people spark their Curiosity about
what’s possible
a curated event for the brave souls who lead learning and leadership development in organizations
Big ideas, Small Doses.
The best ideas don’t come from podcasts or books or another boring keynote. They come from real conversations with real people facing the same challenges you are.
SparkLab is a half-day event built for internal Learning & Development professionals who want to sharpen their thinking, expand their toolbox, and connect with others who care deeply about developing people.
Along the way, you'll experience several exceptional facilitators and discover fresh approaches you may choose to bring into your own organization. You’ll also experience a more meaningful way to share ideas, steal ideas, and build meaningful connections.
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SparkLab is a delicious cocktail: one part learning experience, one part idea exchange, one part professional community. Stir. Sip. Gulp.
Throughout the morning, you'll move between interactive mini-sessions, facilitated discussions, and conversations with fellow L&D leaders. You'll experience new ideas, wrestle with real challenges, share what's working (and what's not), and leave with practical tools you can immediately put to work.
It’s not so much a “conference” as much as a leadership development playground. Ish.
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You should expect a healthy balance of learning, discussion, and discovery.
You'll participate in:
Interactive mini learning sessions
Small-group conversations with fellow practitioners
Facilitated discussions around current L&D challenges
Collaborative problem-solving
Peer idea sharing
Time to reflect on what might work in your own organization
You'll also experience a few outstanding facilitators whose work you can continue exploring long after the event. No booths. No endless sales pitches. No vendor-paid advertising.
Just people passionate about helping organizations grow.
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At its purest form, SparkLab is designed for people who develop people.
Mostly that’s internal L&D professionals, Talent Development leaders, OD Practitioners, and the really really cool HR execs (you know who you are).
Really, anyone responsible for growing leaders inside their organization could benefit from SparkLab’s approach.
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We want to spark ideas and catalyze relationships.
You'll leave with:
Practical ideas you can implement immediately
New tools and approaches to leadership development
Validation from peers facing similar challenges
New professional relationships
A shortlist of facilitators you've actually experienced, not just read about
If you discover someone you'd love to bring into your organization, wonderful, but that’s not the goal. The goal is for you to leave with two or three new ideas, a handful of new colleagues, and a little fire under your a$$.
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To be clear: SparkLab isn't a trade show. It's a community of practitioners who believe the best way to evaluate great learning is to experience it.
Facilitators will contribute to meaningful conversations, share their expertise, and introduce their work to an audience that's genuinely invested in developing people…not simply shopping for vendors.
Their goal isn't to sell. In fact, that’s a bad word in these parts. Their goal is to leave people thinking differently than they did an hour earlier.
Anyone invited to participate as a facilitator has proven their ability to deliver content in an engaging and interactive way, AND has shown a unique approach to building their content. In other words, no phone-it-ins here. F that.
The Vibe
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Facilitated interactions
None of this “forced networking” bullsh*t. That’s an introvert’s nightmare - you know it and I know it! Our experts will be facilitating activities and conversations that get you working together with others, meeting new people, and discussing relevant topics to enhance your craft.
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Experiential Learning
This ain’t your grandmother’s keynote address. This is an opportunity to actively engage in content that will not only accelerate your leadership, but will give you a sample of what might be possible for the leaders at your organization. It’s like a taster’s flight, but instead of wine, it’s learning.
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Lightbulb Moments
Ok, technically we can’t guarantee these, but we can promise a conducive environment, a supportive structure, and ample opportunities for your brain to say “oooh, I never thought of THAT!” Our intention and hope is that you leave with one new thing that hadn’t crossed your mind previously.
Here are the Deets:
Thursday, September 24
8:47am - 12:32pm (feel free to come earlier for coffee and things and stuff)
Hampton Inn - Arsenal Yards
Launch Price: $50
Bring: a notepad, a pen, a good attitude, and your willingness to be an active participant rather than a passive listener
Do not bring: your prom dress, a bowtie, a fancy suit, or any high heels - we’re casual! Jeans and sneaks are good by us.
L&D that Actually works.
That was the original inspiration behind SparkLab.
After years on the inside (in organizations, not jail), I developed a fundamental belief that L&D can be the catalyst to success. If we can create more effective leaders, and we can get teams to work better together, and we can ensure that the skills of the future are being taught NOW…nothing can stop us!
After years on the outside (as a solopreneur, still not in jail), I rode the emotional rollercoaster with clients as they went from wanting something exciting and different for their leaders, something edgy and innovative…and then crashed - for various reasons - into settling on that one training session that they know (and I know) won’t actually change behavior, but will check the box for the head of that department. Womp Womp.
SparkLab was born from this experience. It comes from an innate desire to do L&D better, and an excitement about getting with other people who are just as excited about the field, solving problems together, exploring new content, and sharing what works and what doesn’t. I believe in the spirit of abundance: there is enough information and opportunity for everyone, so share what you know and be generous with your ideas.
L&D departments are facing tremendous opportunity. With all the external and internal forces and pressures on our organizations and on our leaders, y’all are sitting at a unique place at a special point in time when you can be the spark that companies need to accelerate into the next phase of success. You have the opportunity to bring big ideas to life. Opportunities to predict what the organization will need. Opportunities to inspire - and equip - leaders to lead better. Opportunities to change hearts and minds. Opportunities to provide training that actually changes behaviors.
Opportunities to show the organization that they need you.
OK, rant over. **steps off soap box**
