LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Annual Conference 2025
Innovate • Inspire • Impact
The Evolution of Learning & Development
NH Johannesburg Sandton
Learning and Development Conference 2025
The Learning & Development (L&D) landscape is no longer just about training—it’s about reinventing how people learn, adapt, and thrive in an era of continuous disruption. With AI-driven automation, talent shortages, and evolving workforce expectations, organisations are redefining how they build resilient, future-ready workforces.
L&D is now at the forefront of business transformation—tasked with ensuring skills agility, integrating emerging technologies, and creating learning cultures that drive real behaviour change. But with new challenges come bold opportunities.
This year’s Learning and Development Conference 2025 is not just another industry gathering. It’s a future-focused experience designed to equip professionals with cutting-edge insights, strategies, and tools to stay ahead. We’ll explore what’s next for L&D—beyond e-learning and compliance training—to uncover the real levers that drive performance, retention, and long-term success.
The Evolution of Learning & Development
What’s Different About 2025?
AI is Here—But Are You Ready? The latest Workplace Learning Report from LinkedIn reveals that while 82% of L&D leaders acknowledge the need for AI upskilling, fewer than 40% of organisations have formal AI training programmes. The skills gap is widening, and AI literacy is no longer optional. This conference will showcase how to embed AI education into learning and use AI to enhance talent development.
Psychological Safety & Well-being Are Now Core to Learning: As workloads intensify, learning fatigue and burnout are rising. Neuroscience-backed learning design and inclusive L&D strategies are now essential to sustain engagement, performance, and well-being.
Skills Intelligence is the New Competitive Edge: The shift from role-based learning to skills-based talent strategies is accelerating. Organisations investing in skills data, adaptive learning, and talent mobility are pulling ahead.
Measuring Learning Impact Matters More Than Ever: In 2025, L&D must prove its business value—beyond participation rates and course completions. Learning strategies need to directly align with business KPIs, from productivity to talent retention and innovation.
This conference will deliver practical strategies, real-world case studies, and bold ideas to reshape how we approach L&D. Whether you’re focused on AI-driven learning, leadership coaching, digital transformation, or fostering a learning-first culture, this event will provide concrete solutions to future-proof your workforce.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is designed for L&D leaders, HR professionals, and business strategists driving the future of workplace learning, including:
Why you should not miss this?
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Thembi Myeni
Head of Digital Learning and Experience Design, Nedbank
Rav Guiness
Senior Manager: Management Consulting (Human Potential), Accenture
Dr Sharon King Gabrielides
Founder, Key Steps Corporate Training
Washington Mashanda
Sales Director: Payroll & HR NCA, Sage
Helen Nicholson
Chief Excitement Officer and founder, The Networking Company
Lebo Mofolo
Head of Learning and Development, Ogilvy South Africa
Marian Clark
Head of the Discovery Institute of Training and Deputy General Manager, Discovery
Lydia Ngobe
Director of Training, McDonald’s South Africa
Oelzah Puckree
Group Head: Organisational Effectiveness, Rand Mutual Assurance
Dr Sharon Munyaka
UN SDG Leadership Lab Facilitator and Executive Coach
Thea Pelser
Associate Director Learning and Development, PwC
Camille Petersen
People Lead, Talent Management & Enabling Functions, Mondelēz SA
Francois van der Merwe
Founder and CEO of Otinga.io
Ingra Du Buisson-Narsai
Director, NeuroCapital & Registered Organisational Psychologist
Dr Pieter Bronkhorst
Group CEO, OMT Group
Lauren Davis
Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Coach for Leaders & HR Managers
Deirdre Jensen
Managing Director, Game2change Consulting and Learning Services
Janko Kotze
CEO: Human Interest – Performance Psychologist – Team Development Expert
Louise Claassen
Co-founder & Managing Director, ORBmersive
Dr Carmen Lewis
Head of Curriculum and eLearning, Shaper
Below is a summary of the topics across
the two-day agenda
Pre & Post-conference Workshops
SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS
Learning and Development Team
of The Year Award 2025
This award recognises excellence in quality, innovation, leadership, and the measurable impact of an L&D team on their organisation.
Entry Structure
1. Summary/Overview
Provide a brief introduction that includes:
- An overview of the organisation and the L&D team’s role.
- Clarification on whether the team operates at a group level or within a specific business line.
2. Challenges & Approaches
Focus on a specific project your team has completed or is currently working on – Explain the challenges your team has faced and how they were addressed.
- Key challenges (e.g., evolving business needs, budget constraints, skills shortages).
- Strategies and approaches used to overcome these challenges (e.g., stakeholder engagement, innovative solutions, needs analysis).
- Talent development initiatives implemented to build internal L&D team capabilities and ensure sustainable success.
- Innovation in budget alignment – how did the team adapt to financial limitations while still meeting diverse learning needs?
3. Outcomes & Results
Demonstrate the impact of your team’s work with clear evidence:
- How has your L&D team evolved over the last 1–3 years, considering the rise of AI and advancements in learning technologies?
- Metrics and data showcasing tangible business impact (e.g., productivity improvements, ROI, learning adoption rates).
- Evidence of how the team’s initiatives have contributed to individual development and broader organisational success while aligning with business objectives and budgets.
- What makes your approach innovative and unique? Did you benchmark against other organisations or internal teams?
- Top 3 lessons learned from the journey towards achieving your team’s goals.
Entry Format
Submissions can be in either or both formats:
- Video submission: 3–4 minutes maximum
- Written submission: 1,000 words maximum
Submit entries via email to: katie@knowres.co.za
Entry Checklist for Teams
- Before submitting, ensure you have:
- A video submission (3–4 min) and/or a written submission (max. 1,000 words).
- A clear summary of your team’s role within the organisation.
- A well-defined project focus with identified challenges and approaches used.
- Evidence of innovation, budget alignment, and stakeholder engagement.
- Data and metrics to support the outcomes and impact.
- A section on lessons learned and key takeaways.
- Submission sent to katie@knowres.co.za before the deadline (30 July 2025).
What past attendees are saying
“The speakers were incredible, and the topics were fascinating! The variety of tracks added great value, but I had serious FOMO—choosing between sessions was tough!”
Discovery Insure
“The programme was expertly planned and executed. I also appreciated the opportunity to interact with the speakers during break times—it made the experience even more valuable.”
Nautam Training Academy
“The content was not only informative but also well-prepared. The speakers brought high energy and delivered with outstanding presentation skills. An excellent programme with relevant and engaging topics!”
SANBS
“I loved how we explored both professional development and the future of work for L&D professionals. An excellent conference—insightful and forward-thinking!”
Bidvest Tank Terminals
“The content was highly relevant, and each speaker delivered brilliantly on their selected topics.”
RCL FOODS Consumer (Rainbow)
NH Johannesburg Sandton
This Learning and Development Conference 2025 will be hosted at the NH Johannesburg Sandton, that is conveniently situated near the heart of Sandton, offering easy access to many of Johannesburg’s top attractions. Take advantage of early booking to experience the luxury of a world-class venue and the vibrant energy of the city.
Sponsorship & Exhibition options available!
Partner with us for the Learning and Development Annual Conference 2025
For more than 10 years KR has delivered this high-level event to leaders – who are hard to reach decision makers. Boost your brand with enhanced business relationships, lead generation and a full pipeline. Benefits of becoming a partner:
- Valuable face-time with current and new business partners
- Build relationships, gather leads, and make sales
- Showcase your latest products and service offerings
- Profile your executives with speaking opportunities that are designed to enhance your position in the market
- Enjoy networking with top decisions makers
- There’s a sponsorship package for every budget
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