How to Engage L&D Teams Through Events

Submitted by Kerry Summers on 2 July 2023 - 9:48am

event participants

Organising internal events for Learning & Development teams can be a powerful tool to foster connection, drive alignment and support growth – but only when done well. For L&D teams spread across multiple regions, business units and time zones, planning a meaningful and engaging event can often present real challenges.

While global organisations bring a wealth of diversity and insight, they also introduce barriers, siloed communication and a lack of shared experiences. Events can quickly feel generic, repetitive, or disconnected from the day-to-day realities of participants, leaving people feeling disengaged.

To truly make an impact, you need more than another PowerPoint heavy webinar. You need experiences that are interactive, personalised and foster real collaboration and conversation.

So how do you design an L&D event that your team doesn’t just attend, but genuinely looks forward to?

Start with the why – build excitement to drive sign-ups

Engagement doesn’t begin when the event starts, it begins the moment you announce it. To generate enthusiasm and commitment, you need to focus on making the ‘why’ of the event clear and compelling. Ask yourself, what would make someone want to prioritise this event over anything else in their calendar?

Clearly communicate the value

What is it that makes this event unique? Whether it’s a completely new format, a topic that’s highly relevant to the participants, or participation from senior leaders, make sure attendees know how this event is different, and why it matters.

Create a compelling agenda

Make sure participants know what it is they can expect. Focus on practical takeaways, engaging speakers and formats that prioritise interaction rather than presentations. Highlight real-world challenges with solutions that attendees can bring back to their roles.

Collaborate on content

Invite input from participants ahead of time. Use pre-event questionnaires and calls to involve them in shaping the agenda. When people feel ownership over the content, they’re more likely to attend and participate and find topics relevant for them.

Leverage internal communication

Partner with your internal marketing and communications teams to build momentum and drive awareness. Consider involving managers and colleagues with a lot of influence who can advocate for the event and bring their teams along with them.

Design for participation – from passive listeners to active contributors

Getting people to register is just the beginning. The real success of your event lies in how engaged they are once they show up. So how can you turn attendees into active participants?

Make it conversational

People are more likely to engage when they feel seen or heard. Design sessions that encourage back and forth conversations and avoid one-way presentations where possible.

Listen, don’t just talk

Use facilitation techniques that invites contribution. Encourage reflection, make time for feedback sessions and involve participants in shaping the flow of the event. Open the floor for open discussion.

Keep the groups small

Big events often stifle authentic conversation. If you structure your event into smaller breakout groups, the intimate setting fosters trust, psychological safety and richer dialogue. Consider including peer-led groups too.

Design for action

Ensure sessions lead to tangible next steps. Participation increases when attendees see a clear link between the event and their work and have things they can take back to their teams.

Choose the right format – In person, Virtual, or Hybrid

The format of your event will directly shape its experience and effectiveness. Whether you decide to choose In-Person, Virtual, or Hybrid, each format offers strengths and challenges.

In-Person Events

Pros: Rich, face to face connection and conversation, resulting in better focus and energy, fewer digital distractions, more spontaneity and collaboration.
Cons: Logistical issues, higher costs and limited reach due to travel constraints
Tip: If budget allows, consider offering accommodation or travel reimbursement for team members who need to travel. This makes in-person participation more inclusive.

Virtual Events

Pros: More accessible to global teams, lower costs, easier to scale
Cons: Risk of disengagement and distraction, screen fatigue, harder to build rapport
Tip: Keep sessions short and highly interactive. Use breakout rooms, feedback sessions and live chats to maintain energy.

Hybrid Events

Pros: Flexibility for attendees, resulting in wider participation
Cons: Risk of unequal experience if not carefully planned. It can be harder to facilitate interaction between in-person and remote attendees.
Tip: Make sure you design the event as hybrid from the beginning. Be sure to bridge the two audiences and allow remote attendees access to all content and conversation.

How does iVentiv create high-impact events for L&D teams?

At iVentiv, we have created bespoke L&D events that go beyond the traditional. Having worked with global companies like Microsoft and AstraZeneca, we have designed experiences tailored to learning professions, from emerging talent all the way to senior leaders.

But what makes our approach different?

Small group learning

We keep the participant list tight to prioritise depth, quality of conversation, and meaningful collaboration and conversation

Co-created content

Our agendas are shaped by the participants, making each event deeply relevant to everyone attending

L&D community

We don’t just run events, we build communities of Learning professionals who continue to collaborate long after the event ends.

Our events consistently receive glowing feedback for their intimacy, energy and impact – because they’re designed with people at the centre. Here is what previous attendees have said:

Genuinely, this has been the best thing I’ve attended for years. I’ve written down pages and pages.
- Capability & Skills Partner, AstraZeneca
An incredibly valuable event which opened up a world of knowledge exchange with peers that I would never of thought was possible. I made connections that was last for a long time. I now do not feel alone.
- Global Leadership Development Director, American Express
As we’ve been building the culture of lifelong learning across AZ, one of the things that has been foundational is ensuring that we invest in developing a learning community.
- VP, Head of Global Talent & OD, AstraZeneca

The most effective L&D events don’t just inform, they connect, inspire and drive results. Whether you’re gathering ten people or 100, virtual or in-person, the principles remain the same – listen, collaborate and create space for real engagement and conversation.

To enquire about iVentiv bespoke events, visit our enquiry page now.

iVentiv and Microsoft - A Bespoke Event Experience

Thumbnail:

Feature on Homepage:

News category:

iVentiv News

More Insights

The iVentiv Pulse: What Are The Top Priorities for Heads of Learning and Talent in 2025?

As we step into 2025, the landscape of Learning and Talent Development is evolving at an unprecedented pace.

The 2025 iVentiv Pulse report sheds light on the key priorities and challenges that Heads of Learning, Talent, and Executive Development are grappling with. This comprehensive report, based on iVentiv pre-event questionnaire responses from 563 leaders across 448 companies, offers a unique glimpse into the future of work and the strategies that will shape it.

You can download the full report here, or read on for a summary of the top five topics:

Solving Big Challenges in Learning and Development, with Charles Jennings, Medbase, Lindt & Sprüngli, and the L&D Challenges Podcast

This L&D Challenges Podcast from iVentiv’s Learning Futures Basel event in 2024 is a must-listen for C-suite executives aiming to transform Learning and Development into a strategic organisational advantage.

Adam Lacey, Co-Founder of Assemble You and Host of the L&D Challenges Podcast joined iVentiv's Learning Futures Basel at the Bovartis Campus for conversations that got to the heart of L&D's biggest challenges.

Featuring insights from industry leaders Charles Jennings, Co-Founder of the 70:20:10 Institute, Sina Melder, Head of Global Organisational Development at Lindt & Sprüngli, and Leon Jacob, Director of People Experience at Medbase, this episode delves into demonstrating L&D’s organisational value, fostering a unified learning culture, and leveraging AI beyond content creation.

Join us to discover how these strategies drive innovation, enhance employee engagement, and align global initiatives with local needs, equipping organisations to thrive in a competitive and ever-evolving business landscape.

The Power of Data and AI in Learning and Development with Roche, STMicroelectronics, HEC Paris and the L&D Challenges Podcast

Data-driven decision-making, personalisation, and measuring impact to enhance learner engagement were hot topics at iVentiv’s Learning Futures Basel event in October of this year.

Adam Lacey, Co-Founder of Assemble You and Host of the L&D Challenges Podcast took the time to join us for those discussions, and got into the thick it with key thought-leaders in his most recent podcast episode: How Roche and STMicroelectronics are Harnessing the Power of Data and AI in L&D.

Sam Zalcman, Global Head of Learning & Development at STMicroelectronics, Priyakumar Nair, Global Head of Learning Services at Roche, and Professor Peter Fisher, Associate Professor of Marketing & Academic Director of Creative Destruction Labs’ AI stream at HEC Paris made up this episode’s panel of distinguished leaders, and the discussions illuminated cutting-edge strategies in L&D and their implications for organisational transformation.

Join us as we listen in on a podcast that provides a wealth of insights for C-suite executives in multinational organisations, focusing on how L&D leaders are leveraging data, AI, and cultural shifts to address modern challenges.

The Future of Learning, Leadership, and AI: with HEC Paris, Akkodis, Reckitt and The Learning Hack Podcast

In a dynamic and transformative era, the Learning & Development sector is grappling with profound questions about innovation, technology, and leadership. The Learning Hack Podcast, hosted by John Helmer, offers rich insights into these themes through candid conversations with global leaders.

In a recent episode inspired by conversations at iVentiv’s Learning Futures Basel Executive Knowledge Exchange, three thought leaders — Anne-Valérie Corboz (Dean, HEC Paris), Jane Underwood (Global Head of Learning, Reckitt), and Sarah Otley (SVP, Global Head of Akkodis Academy) — came together to share their perspectives on navigating the future of L&D, with discussions covering the evolving nature of leadership, the role of generative AI in L&D, and the enduring challenges of aligning learning strategies with business goals.

The advent of generative AI has sparked widespread discussions across industries, but for Learning and Development, its potential remains a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, for many leaders, AI promises to revolutionise the way learning is designed and delivered. On the other, it risks reinforcing old habits and hindering meaningful change.

In a recent episode of The Learning Hack Podcast, hosted by John Helmer, guest Charles Jennings— iVentiv Advisory Board member, regular iVentiv Event Chair, pioneer in L&D transformation, and Co-Founder of the 70:20:10 framework—offered deep insights into these challenges.

This blog unpacks the key themes from their conversation and asks how can L&D leaders avoid complacency? How can they leverage AI responsibly? How can they refocus on performance improvement over outdated methodologies?

In an age of constant change, Zurich Insurance has embraced a skills-based approach as a core strategy to future-proof its workforce and drive business success.

In an interview with iVentiv, Adrian Stäubli, Group Head of Skills Development Solutions at Zurich Insurance, highlighted Zurich’s commitment to identifying, developing, and deploying skills across its global workforce.

This model isn’t just a tool— to Adrian it’s a "secret ingredient" that touches every aspect of employee development, from career progression to job design, setting Zurich apart as a truly agile and resilient organisation.

Watch our interview now to see how Adrian has embraced skills, and how it’s transforming Zurich’s employee experience.

The power of partnership: how iVentiv and HEC Paris drive Executive Development together

In the ever-evolving world of executive education and corporate learning, partnerships are key to success. iVentiv has nurtured a long-standing relationship with HEC Paris, a prestigious European business school that was founded in 1888, since 2010 and has become a leading institution in Executive Development. Through this collaboration, HEC Paris has not only elevated its presence within the corporate learning community but has also provided valuable insights and support to iVentiv’s events worldwide.

Join us as we dive into the partnership between iVentiv and HEC Paris, how it's bloomed over the years, and where it will go next.

What Makes an Effective Learning and Development Team Event?

In today’s complex global landscape, even the most experienced L&D executives face a persistent challenge: ensuring alignment and collaboration within large Learning & Development teams spread across geographies, business units, and time zones.

Too often, L&D functions in multinational companies operate in silos. Teams set objectives independently, repeat each other’s work unknowingly, or miss opportunities to scale successful initiatives. Despite good intentions, the lack of structured knowledge-sharing and alignment can hinder progress, dilute impact, and ultimately affect how well organisations respond to change.

So, how do you create an event designed to build a strong, connected L&D team that learns from each other and works towards a shared vision? Read on to find out.

10 Questions to Ask Before Planning an Internal Event

Whether you’re launching a new initiative, or planning a team-building day, internal corporate events need more than just good food and a decent venue. Without the right strategic groundwork, even the most beautifully executed event can fall flat.

Instead, before diving into logistics, you should pause and ask the foundational questions that shape a purposeful, effective experience.

This guide explores the key questions to ask before you start planning an internal event to help you clarify objectives, understand your audience, and align the event with your broader organisational goals. Read more.

Why Customer Education Matters

In today’s competitive, hyper-informed market, you can’t win customer loyalty with a strong product or slick branding alone. Instead, you need trust, relevance, and a consistent demonstration that you understand your customers' needs.

That’s where customer education events come in.

These aren’t just glorified sales pitches. They’re strategic opportunities to deliver value, deepen relationships, and build communities around your offering.
When done well, these events don’t just teach; they transform customers into advocates. They help your business stay front-of-mind while giving your clients the tools and insights to succeed with your product or service at the centre of their strategy.

Curious to learn more? Read now.