Learning Technologies 2018 is nearly upon us! And with the inaugural Learning Technologies France having already taken place this week, the L&D community is already in the mood for all the great content, sharing, networking and possibly a beer or two next week (mine’s a G&T actually, thanks). So, without further ado, here’s the low down on what to look out for, whether you’re attending the conference, the expo or following from afar.

The backchannel
As ever, the place to have eyes on is the main conference hashtag #LT18UK. This is used on all conference updates across social media. We’ll be using Twitter of course but also branching out across other channels like Instagram, so keep your eyes peeled wherever it is you hang out online. This hashtag is used by exhibitors and attendees of the Learning Technologies part of the exhibition. It’s a great way of tapping into people to meet, things to read and what to see before the event, not just during.

In order to help cut through the sheer volume of tweets, we use individual session hashtags as well as the one for the overall event e.g. Welcome to this session on the future of technology #LT18UK #T1S1. The details of the hashtags for each session are below. You can also stay tuned for blog posts, LinkedIn updates, graphic summaries and videos.

The 2018 team
Here are the people that will be capturing the action and reflecting on what they’ve heard at the conference. If you’re not already connected with these experienced L&D folk, this is a unique opportunity to make some new connections and expand your network as well as the chance to tune into all the action.

Sam Taylor – @samt_el
Michelle Parry-Slater – @MiPS1608
Ollie Gardener – @olliegardener
Joan Keevill – @Designs_JoanK
Sam Burrough – @samburrough
Adam Harwood – @adamharwood26
Patrick Mullarkey – @mentormullarkey
Mark Berthelemy – berthelemy
Barbara Thompson (Video production) – @CaribThompson

(And me – @kategraham23)

Also, don’t forget to follow:

Don Taylor (Conference Chairman) – @DonaldHTaylor
Learning Technologies official feed – @LT18UK

For the first time this year we’ll be sending the team downstairs into the expo to do some roving reporting. Follow the action via #LT18UKEXPO. Should be fun.

What else is going on?

  • Meet-up

If you’re in London the night before Learning Technologies 2018 on Tuesday 30 January, I’m rounding up any waifs and strays to get together, talk shop and meet fellow attendees before the event. Details here.

  • Free seminars

This year there are 10 seminar theatres with packed programmes delivering insights on everything from learning design to the apprenticeship levy. These theatres are dotted around the exhibition hall and you can just turn up at any session throughout the day. View the full programme here.

  • eXchange

The good folk at Towards Maturity are once again bringing us the Learning Technologies eXchange (on Stand H24). This excellent initiative is now in its seventh year and is designed to give exhibition attendees the opportunity to network at the event and meet the conference speakers You can view the timetable here.

  • Fringe

Martin Couzins is also running his unofficial Barcamp style fringe events at a nearby pub at the end of day one More details here.

Don’t forget… 
The 2018 Digital Learning Realities Research is still open for you to take part. Last year over 1000 L&D professionals shared their experiences – the good, the bad and the ugly –  and I’m excited to report that we are generating huge responses to this year’s survey as well. Fosway and the organisers of Learning Technologies will be unveiling the initial results at this year’s event with the full report to follow shortly afterwards. There’s still time to take part here.

Details on who is covering which session and all the session hashtags will follow tomorrow.

See you there or online!

Kate