HRD 2006, Learning and Development Conference and Exhibition

The CIPDís annual learning and development conference and exhibition, now in its 21st year, is the largest and most influential conference in the learning and development calendar and is designed to keep people management and development professionals up to date on key issues. HRD brings together leaders from across the learning community ñ top coaches, organisational development specialists, gurus, senior practitioners from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors and public policy makers.

The conference offers delegates the opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry and hear how leading organisations have approached and overcome key challenges within their business environments. The event has over 100 speakers, providing case studies, interactive workshops and training updates. Speakers include:

Sir Bob Geldof, humanitarian, musician and entrepreneur, speaking about Achieving your goals.

Professor Rob Goffee, from the London Business School discussing Why should anyone be led by you?

Professor Robert Winston, author and BBC presenter delivering a masterclass on Making the most of the human mind.

The event also marks the launch of the CIPD Learning and Development survey 2006. This yearís survey reinforces the growing importance of coaching in delivering learning and development, examines other key changes in workplace learning and includes a focus on the use and effectiveness of talent management in the workplace. The report is expected to show that learning and development professionals are having their budgets for training squeezed as a result of tighter economic circumstances, with belts being tightened most significantly in the public sector (42% of public sector organisations are thought to have seen their training budgets cut, compared to 30% in the private sector).

300 suppliers covering every aspect of learning and development will feature in the HRD 2006 Exhibition, which runs alongside the conference. The exhibition is aimed at offering a practical approach to providing up to date information on the latest products and services, and features interactive showcases including new e-learning and technology updates.