ATD Central Iowa upcoming events

Spark the Experience: Leading with Energy, Empathy & Presence (Friday, November 13, 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Fatigue is contagious. Talent developers feel it first. In a world where hybrid work, rapid change, and emotional overload are the new normal, leaders are burning out while trying to keep everyone else motivated.

This session explores how emotional intelligence and body language shape the transfer of energy across teams and learning environments. Using neuroscience, behavioral research, and real-world examples, Dr. Claire Muselman teaches how to identify compassion fatigue, reset emotional energy, and communicate with confidence and authenticity.

Through interactive exercises and practical takeaways, participants will learn how to use their tone, posture, and nonverbal cues to create belonging, trust, and engagement. They’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how presence and self-awareness influence facilitation, leadership, and culture. When we intentionally manage our energy, we elevate our impact and the entire learning experience. Attendees will leave recharged, refocused, and ready to spark connection, confidence, and curiosity in every room they enter.

After the session, the learners will be able to:

1. Recognize the signs of compassion fatigue in themselves and others.

2. Apply emotional-intelligence strategies to build empathy, boundaries, and resilience.

3. Use body language, tone, and micro-expressions to strengthen presence and connection.

4. Design micro-moments of belonging and energy renewal within training and leadership settings.

5. Facilitate with renewed confidence and authenticity to elevate learner engagement.

Meet The Speaker:

Dr. Claire Muselman is the Chief Operating Officer of WorkersCompensation.com and a Professor of Practice at Drake University specializing in Leadership, Human Resources, and Organizational Behavior. She is also Co-Director of the Master of Science in Leadership program and a nationally recognized keynote speaker. With more than 250 published articles on leadership, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience, Dr. Claire blends academic insight with real-world application to help leaders communicate with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Her signature style, bright, dynamic energy, brings science to life through practical, human-centered strategies that elevate energy and impact. Known for her work with Captive Resources, CLM, and executive education programs, she empowers organizations to build cultures of empathy, accountability, and connection. Whether teaching in the classroom or speaking on stage, Dr. Claire’s mission is to make leadership feel both brilliant and deeply human.

Coffee Connect (Wednesday, November 18, 2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

IN-PERSON NETWORKING EVENT

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

7:30 - 9:00 AM

Smokey Row Coffee
1910 Cottage Grove, Des Moines

What's your go-to resource?

A book, podcast, blog, website, or favorite tool? Come ready to share something valuable with fellow talent development professionals.

WHAT TO EXPECT

7:30 AM Coffee, pastries & conversation
8:00 AM Rotating resource share

Coffee and pastries are on us!

We'll provide standard coffee and a selection of light pastries. Prefer a specialty coffee drink or something else from Smokey Row's menu? You're welcome to purchase your favorite at your own expense.

Space is limited. Save your seat!

Private room reserved at Smokey Row

Leadership SIG: Making Space: Prioritizing with Purpose (Friday, November 20, 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Do you feel like you are saying yes to everything? Can you say no? How can we get better and be intentional about making space to say yes to the right things? Join us for this discussion based session whether this is a strength you have to share or a challenge you are seeking to overcome.

The purpose of the Leadership SIG is to explore new possibilities, share best practices, and build relationships in order to develop your leadership ability and develop leadership capacity in others.

The Leadership SIG meets the third Friday of each month from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Meetings are held virtually. The SIG is hosted by Aaron Barber (Sammons Financial Group, abarber@sfgmembers.com) and Tony Giudicessi (ITA Group, tgiudicessi@ITAGroup.com). If you have any questions, comments or ideas for the SIG, please connect with one of them.

Cost: FREE for ATD Central Iowa Chapter Members, $20 for non-members

Building Comfort Zones for Engagement (Friday, December 11, 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This workshop is designed for Learning & Development professionals who facilitate experiential or participatory learning and want to more effectively engage groups that arrive hesitant, skeptical, or resistant. Crossed arms, eye rolls, and quiet withdrawal are often less about unwillingness and more about unclear expectations, perceived exposure, or unexamined assumptions about what participation is supposed to look like. Drawing from challenge-course facilitation and real-world team-building programs, Janie shares examples and stories from the field that illustrate how choice operates in practice—and how intentionally designed invitations can support comfort, engagement, and readiness. The session explores the concept of “comfort zones” and offers practical approaches for designing experiences that invite participation without pressure or manipulation.

At the end of this session, learners will be able to:

1. Identify and understand facilitation techniques that foster choice, inclusion, and curiosity-driven participation by reflecting on

how language, activity structure, and environment shape natural engagement and willingness to step outside comfort zones.

2. Leverage Experiential Activities for Learning: Participants will experience and practice playful, interactive activities that promote

connection, and inclusion, and together explore how to translate these methods into professional development settings.

Meet the Speaker:

Janie Jeffries, MA, TRS, CCM (she/her/ally) is a Lead Facilitator of the Stowe Heights Challenge Course, a program of Community Youth Concepts (CYC) in Des Moines, Iowa. With a Master’s in Therapeutic Recreation and over 20 years of experience in Experiential Education and facilitation, Janie brings deep expertise in designing programs that foster meaningful connection and engagement. Her work is grounded in the belief that intentional, experience-based learning builds bridges—to ourselves, to one another, and to the environments we navigate. Inspired by mentors who nurtured curiosity and compassion, Janie designs learning experiences that are authentic, inclusive, and rooted in human behavior, decision-making, and growth.

ATD-CI Monthly Board Meeting (Monday, December 21, 2026)

Mon, 21 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Hello Chapter Members! You are welcome to attend our monthly Central Iowa Chapter ATD Board Meetings, where we focus on chapter operations, governance, and strategic planning. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month.

If you would like to observe a meeting, please sign up to receive the Google Meet link.

Questions? Let us know! Email us at president@atdiowa.org.

PDD Pre-Conference Experience Only (Wednesday, March 03, 2027)

Wed, 03 Mar 2027 22:30:00 GMT

KinetIQ Live! Where Possibility Starts

Kick off PDD 2027 the night before with a high-energy celebration of the ATD Central Iowa community. It's part happy hour, part idea lab, and the perfect start to a conference about connecting people to possibility.

What to expect

Rapid-fire big ideas. 8 speakers each share one idea in five minutes, using the Problem, Spark, How, Action, Impact format.
Talks across the board. Personal growth, practical tools and organizational impact, so there's something for everyone.
An atmosphere that keeps the energy up. Music, food, drinks and interactive moments.
Open to everyone. ATD members, HR pros and anyone passionate about how people learn and grow.

Wednesday, March 3, 2027 · 4:30–7:00 PM · Prairie Meadows

Registration closes Wednesday, February 24, 2027.

Bundle: Pre-Conference & Professional Development Day Ticket (Wednesday, March 03, 2027)

Wed, 03 Mar 2027 22:30:00 GMT

Two Days. One Community. Endless Possibility.

Get the full PDD 2027 experience with the Bundle: KinetIQ Live! on Wednesday evening plus Professional Development Day on Thursday, both at Prairie Meadows.

Wednesday, March 3: KinetIQ Live!

Rapid-fire, five-minute big ideas from 8 speakers, with networking, music and food in a happy-hour atmosphere.

Thursday, March 4: Professional Development Day

Keynote speakers (to be announced soon), practical breakout sessions and built-in networking with talent development professionals from across Iowa.

Why the Bundle? One registration, both events and the best price.

Registration closes Wednesday, February 24, 2027.

Professional Development Day Ticket Only (Thursday, March 04, 2027)

Thu, 04 Mar 2027 13:15:00 GMT

Connecting People to Possibility

ATD Central Iowa's Professional Development Day returns Thursday, March 4, 2027, at Prairie Meadows. Join talent development, HR and L&D professionals from across Iowa for a full day of learning, connection and ideas you can put to work right away.

What to expect

Keynotes that spark what's next. Our 2027 keynote speakers will be announced soon.

Breakout sessions you can use Monday. Practical, interactive sessions led by practitioners on the trends shaping our field.

Connections that last beyond the day. Built-in networking time to meet peers, swap ideas and grow your network.

Want the full experience? Add the KinetIQ Live! Pre-Conference with the Bundle ticket.

Registration closes Wednesday, February 24, 2027.