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Agenda

DAY ONE
DAY TWO

CONFERENCE DAY / THU / MAY 7

  • Connect '26 Attendee Registration

  • Keynote Main Stage 40 Minutes
    As dynamic learning—fueled by AI—transforms personalized learning at scale into a reality, a new question emerges: What lies beneath the surface that no one is talking about? Join our founder, Brendan Noud, as he shares his vision for the next chapter of LearnUpon. We’re moving beyond “delivery” to a future where our platform listens, learns, and anticipates what your learners and your business need most. It’s a vision where your organization’s own signals help guide every employee, every customer, and every member toward success. Come discover how we're weaving AI into the fabric of the human experience to make learning more intuitive, more personal, and more impactful than ever before. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.

    Founders’ Keynote: The Future is Intelligent, Not Artificial

    Brendan Noud

    Founder & CEO LearnUpon

  • Panel Main stage 40 Minutes
    We all know the feeling of creating a great course only to see the momentum fade. The secret to lasting impact isn’t just more content—it’s a better engine. Join us for a candid conversation with learning leaders who have mastered the shift from one-off delivery to strategic program design. Our panelists will share a behind-the-scenes look at their own Learning Journeys, showing you exactly how they sequence and structure paths to create a repeatable experience that truly connects. Come see the visual blueprints of programs that don't just launch, but thrive.

    From Content to Strategy: How Learning Leaders Build Sustainable, Impactful Journeys

    Frances Kleven

    Senior Director, Core Customer Experience LearnUpon

  • Keynote Main Stage 30 Minutes
    AI is reshaping how organizations create, deliver, and measure learning impact, but the opportunity extends far beyond customer training alone. This session explores the strategic inflection point where AI-powered learning meets business outcomes, covering applications across customer education, employee development, partner enablement, and L&D operations. We'll examine practical frameworks for AI integration, discuss the acquisition of platforms like Courseau, and explore how forward-thinking organizations are using AI to transform learning from a cost center into a revenue driver. Whether you're scaling customer academies or reimagining enterprise-wide learning strategies, you'll leave with actionable insights on leveraging AI to accelerate adoption, reduce time-to-value, and demonstrate measurable business impact.

    The Future of AI in Learning: From Customer Education to Enterprise-Wide Transformation

    CourtneySembler

    Managing Partner and COO AlignedCX

  • Lunch Break

  • Keynote Main Stage 40 Minutes
    Join LearnUpon’s product leader, Caroline Hynes, for the 2026 Spotlight. Discover our vision for a connected learning ecosystem where AI-assisted content delivery, advanced skills development, and monetization tools come together. See how we’re putting the "purpose" back into "product" to help your learners—and your business—thrive.

    LearnUpon Spotlight: Built for People. Connected by Purpose. Powered by Tech

    CarolineHynes

    VP of Product LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 1 Hour
    Get under the hood of the platform in this hands-on session designed for L&D leaders. Beyond just a demo, you’ll test-drive our latest employee-centric features and master the "Golden Path" workflows that automate your daily heavy lifting. It’s a prime chance to swap strategies with fellow pros and deep-dive into the roadmap with our product experts. Come ready to solve your specific use cases and reclaim your creative time

    Navigating the Horizon: LearnUpon for Employees

    Aisling MacNamara

    Director, Learning, Enablement & Inclusion LearnUpon

    OrlaBowers

    Principal Product Manager LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 1 Hour
    Join fellow Customer Ed leaders for a hands-on deep dive into the features built to drive retention and scale. You’ll test-drive our latest solutions and master the specific workflows that bridge the gap between user onboarding and long-term product mastery. It’s an "insider" space to swap strategies, tackle your unique scaling challenges during Q&A, and see exactly how to streamline your delivery.

    Charting Your Course: LearnUpon for Customer Education

    CarolineHynes

    VP of Product LearnUpon

    Frances Kleven

    Senior Director, Core Customer Experience LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 1 Hour
    Connect with fellow association pros for a hands-on look at the tools built to power your member experience. You’ll test-drive our latest features—including the new eCommerce workflows—and discover the specific "insider" setups that streamline member certification and renewals. It’s a dedicated space to swap growth strategies, tackle your unique scaling hurdles in Q&A, and see how to deliver more value with less manual effort.

    Expanding New Frontiers: LearnUpon for Associations

    MarkL. Jones, CAE

    Global Director, Memberships & Associations LearnUpon

    DiarmuidBeegan

    Director of Product LearnUpon

    EoghanQuigley

    Product Manager LearnUpon

  • Coffee Break

  • Panel Main Stage 40 Minutes
    LearnUpon started with a vision at a kitchen table, and we’re bringing that spirit of candid conversation to Chicago. Pull up a chair for an exclusive look at how we build, innovate, and shape the future of learning. This is your chance to get the inside track on our roadmap. No scripts and no barriers—just an open dialogue about the purpose behind our tech. Bring your questions and your big ideas, and help us shape what’s next for the LearnUpon community.

    Join Us at the Kitchen Table: An AMA with the LearnUpon Product Team

    CarolineHynes

    VP of Product LearnUpon

    DiarmuidBeegan

    Director of Product LearnUpon

    BrettSpencer

    VP of Customer Experience LearnUpon

    AidanDonnelly

    VP of Engineering LearnUpon

  • Keynote Main Stage 30 Minutes
    Are you just hosting content, or are you unlocking a competitive advantage? In an era where "software as a service" is evolving and learner attention is the ultimate currency, Dr. Kris Alexander, TED Speaker, and Associate Professor of Educational Technology at Toronto Metropolitan University, invites you to step into the future of Targeted Pedagogy. This isn't just about AI, it’s about "Techquity" (Technological Equity): using powerful, free tools to captivate audiences, solve real-world problems, and drive unprecedented engagement. Join us to discover how to transform static training into interactive "Achievement Systems," use AI to bridge accessibility gaps, and build bespoke learning solutions that make your audience want to show up. Whether you are scaling onboarding for a thousand employees or driving global product adoption, it’s time to stop just "teaching" and start galvanizing.

    Chalkboards to Chatbots: Leading & Learning with AI

    Dr. KrisAlexander

    Associate Professor of Educational Technology & Serious Game Design Toronto Metropolitan University

  • Wrap Up Main Stage 10 Minutes
    We’re closing out the first day of Connect '26 by slowing down to speed up. We’ll recap the "aha!" moments and the most impactful lessons from the day’s sessions, ensuring you leave with the best insights top-of-mind. Once we’ve captured the day's highlights, it’s off to our networking session for cocktails, conversation, and a chance to truly connect.

    The Day One Re-Connect: Insights, Impact, and What’s Next

    Brendan Noud

    Founder & CEO LearnUpon

  • Connect '26 Networking Reception

CONFERENCE DAY / FRI / MAY 8

  • Keynote Main Stage 20 Minutes
    Be welcomed back to day two by our founder, Brendan, and get ready to hear what’s in store for the final day of Connect ‘26!

    Welcome Back: Kicking Off Day 2 of Connect '26

    Brendan Noud

    Founder & CEO LearnUpon

  • Double the Sessions, Twice the Choice.

    Every workshop repeats, so pick your top two to attend!

  • Workshop Breakout 50 Minutes
    The LearnUpon Product Team invites you to a practical look at the future of building high-quality learning. We’ll demonstrate how to master a human-powered, AI-assisted workflow that removes the friction from production without sacrificing pedagogical quality. Through a live "lightning build," you’ll see how to stay in the driver’s seat—using AI for the heavy lifting while you provide the strategic intent and final polish. Discover how to reclaim your creative time and ensure your content remains authentic, expert-led, and impact-driven.

    The Human Architect: Designing High-Impact Content in an AI World

    RoRen

    Product Auth Lead LearnUpon

    SeánO'Sullivan

    Senior Product Manager LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 50 Minutes
    Ever wish you could peek at how top teams build their skills frameworks? Aisling MacNamara, Director of Learning & Enablement at LearnUpon, is opening her playbook to share how leading organizations navigate a world where career paths are no longer linear. Because horizons now offer endless possibilities, a clear framework is essential to keep every journey on track. Whether you’re just getting started, or are ready to automate, Aisling will share the practical strategies used to ensure every employee has the confidence to reach their next milestone and keep moving forward.

    Skills Beyond the Horizon: Mapping Employee Growth in Every Direction

    Aisling MacNamara

    Director, Learning, Enablement & Inclusion LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 50 Minutes
    Great customer education isn’t just about providing answers—it’s about listening to what your users are telling you. Join us for a high-energy, collaborative workshop where we’ll master the art of Signal-Based Education. We’re moving past "check-the-box" training to help you identify the critical behavioral signals—from the first onboarding spark to the signs of a power-user—that show exactly where your customers need you most. In this session, we’ll roll up our sleeves to bridge the gap between user friction and business success. You’ll work alongside peers to turn those signals into bold, targeted interventions that transform passive users into lifelong advocates. Come ready to share your story, challenge your current framework, and walk away with a peer-tested roadmap for driving retention, revenue, and real human connection.

    Listening to the Signals: Creating Education that Drives True Customer Growth

    Frances Kleven

    Senior Director, Core Customer Experience LearnUpon

    JeffResnick

    Enterprise Customer Success Manager LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 50 Minutes
    The foundations of professional education are shifting faster than a spring snowmelt. As traditional degrees lose their luster and AI reshapes work, associations have reached a "15-month inflection point." If you aren’t innovating at the speed of a startup, you’re already behind. Join Artesha Moore, FASAE, CAE, Jeff Cobb, and Mark L. Jones, CAE, for a high-energy, unscripted fireside chat on the future of our sector. This candid conversation moves beyond the "standard" association talk to explore why $200k degrees are giving way to $500 micro-credentials and how to bypass bureaucracy to launch new learning models in months, not years. The panel will also discuss shifting from a static content library to a dynamic "human hub" that helps professionals navigate AI noise, while addressing why the tech-native Gen Z generation is suddenly craving " analog" authenticity and real-life connection.

    The New Frontier: Redefining Learning, Credibility, and Community for Associations

    MarkL. Jones, CAE

    Global Director, Memberships & Associations LearnUpon

    JeffCobb

    Co-Founder & Managing Director Tagoras

  • Coffee Break

  • Workshop Breakout 50 Minutes
    The LearnUpon Product Team invites you to a practical look at the future of building high-quality learning. We’ll demonstrate how to master a human-powered, AI-assisted workflow that removes the friction from production without sacrificing pedagogical quality. Through a live "lightning build," you’ll see how to stay in the driver’s seat—using AI for the heavy lifting while you provide the strategic intent and final polish. Discover how to reclaim your creative time and ensure your content remains authentic, expert-led, and impact-driven.

    The Human Architect: Designing High-Impact Content in an AI World

    RoRen

    Product Auth Lead LearnUpon

    SeánO'Sullivan

    Senior Product Manager LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 50 Minutes
    Ever wish you could peek at how top teams build their skills frameworks? Aisling MacNamara, Director of Learning & Enablement at LearnUpon, is opening her playbook to share how leading organizations navigate a world where career paths are no longer linear. Because horizons now offer endless possibilities, a clear framework is essential to keep every journey on track. Whether you’re just getting started, or are ready to automate, Aisling will share the practical strategies used to ensure every employee has the confidence to reach their next milestone and keep moving forward.

    Skills Beyond the Horizon: Mapping Employee Growth in Every Direction

    Aisling MacNamara

    Director, Learning, Enablement & Inclusion LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 1 Hour
    Great customer education isn’t just about providing answers—it’s about listening to what your users are telling you. Join us for a high-energy, collaborative workshop where we’ll master the art of Signal-Based Education. We’re moving past "check-the-box" training to help you identify the critical behavioral signals—from the first onboarding spark to the signs of a power-user—that show exactly where your customers need you most. In this session, we’ll roll up our sleeves to bridge the gap between user friction and business success. You’ll work alongside peers to turn those signals into bold, targeted interventions that transform passive users into lifelong advocates. Come ready to share your story, challenge your current framework, and walk away with a peer-tested roadmap for driving retention, revenue, and real human connection.

    Listening to the Signals: Creating Education that Drives True Customer Growth

    Frances Kleven

    Senior Director, Core Customer Experience LearnUpon

    JeffResnick

    Enterprise Customer Success Manager LearnUpon

  • Workshop Breakout 50 Minutes
    The foundations of professional education are shifting faster than a spring snowmelt. As traditional degrees lose their luster and AI reshapes work, associations have reached a "15-month inflection point." If you aren’t innovating at the speed of a startup, you’re already behind. Join Artesha Moore, FASAE, CAE, Jeff Cobb, and Mark L. Jones, CAE, for a high-energy, unscripted fireside chat on the future of our sector. This candid conversation moves beyond the "standard" association talk to explore why $200k degrees are giving way to $500 micro-credentials and how to bypass bureaucracy to launch new learning models in months, not years. The panel will also discuss shifting from a static content library to a dynamic "human hub" that helps professionals navigate AI noise, while addressing why the tech-native Gen Z generation is suddenly craving " analog" authenticity and real-life connection.

    The New Frontier: Redefining Learning, Credibility, and Community for Associations

    MarkL. Jones, CAE

    Global Director, Memberships & Associations LearnUpon

    JeffCobb

    Co-Founder & Managing Director Tagoras

  • Panel Main Stage 40 Minutes
    Scaling high-quality learning in 2026 requires a new kind of math. In this session, Brett Spencer, LearnUpon's VP of Customer Experience and a panel of expert practitioners pull back the curtain on the move from AI curiosity to real-world implementation. Our panelists share the honest realities of human-powered, AI-assisted workflows—balancing the demand for speed with the necessity of "human-in-the-loop" oversight. Hear how these leaders are maintaining pedagogical quality while positioning AI as a strategic co-pilot for content, reporting, and automation.

    Strategy Over Hype: Navigating the New Era of AI and Automation

    BrettSpencer

    VP of Customer Experience LearnUpon

  • Keynote Main Stage 30 Minutes
    Growth and comfort rarely coexist. In the fast-paced world of learning and development, the path to innovation is often blocked—whether by shrinking budgets and competing priorities, or the internal hesitation to challenge the status quo. This session explores the psychological and strategic inflection points where bravery meets business outcomes, leveraging Michelle’s "100 Days Without Fear" framework to help leaders tap into their full potential. We’ll examine strategies for navigating universal, cultural and personal fears, redefining failure to push organizational boundaries, and leveraging authenticity to overcome Imposter Syndrome. Whether you’re scaling a global learning movement or navigating enterprise-wide change, you’ll leave with insights on how to cultivate bravery over fearlessness, turn obstacles into opportunities, and ultimately transform your learning culture from one of conformity into a driver of growth.

    Fear Less, Do More: Choosing Growth Over Comfort

    MichellePoler

    Founder and Author Hello Fears

  • Closing Address 10 Minutes
    Say goodbye to another year of Connect with a farewell from our founder and CEO, Brendan Noud.

    Closing Address: Connect '26: The Closing Bell

    Brendan Noud

    Founder & CEO LearnUpon

  • Connect '26: The Goodbye Reception

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Connect 2026

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