Hello ATD Detroit Members,

We’re excited to invite you to the January Instructional Design Special Interest Group (SIG) session!

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
Location: Virtual (Zoom – link provided after registration)
Cost: Free for ATD Detroit and local ATD chapter members

What’s a SIG?
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are small, member-driven communities focused on particular aspects of Talent Development. SIGs provide a space for members to dive deeper into shared interests, skills, and roles while building valuable connections.

For more information about the Instructional Design SIG, please contact:

• Laurie Zeller – lauriezeller365@gmail.com

• Misty Minna – Misty.minna@gmail.com

We hope to see you there!

Warmly,
ATD Detroit

February Topic: The Friction Advantage: When Making Things Harder Improves Learning

Location: Zoom Online Virtual Platform (link provided after registration)

Cost: Free for ATD Detroit and other local Chapter Members &

$10.00 for Guest

Description: We are wired to avoid friction in learning: shorter modules, simpler slides, fewer steps. But behavioral science and cognitive psychology tell a different story. Under the right conditions, a bit of difficulty can actually make learning deeper, stickier, and far more durable. This session dives into the “friction advantage” and explores how spacing, interleaving, retrieval practice, and prediction error can transform your learning experiences from “that was nice” to “I still use this months later.”

Rather than overwhelming learners with complexity, we will focus on how to design productive struggle, just enough challenge to engage the brain’s encoding and prediction systems, without tipping people into frustration or disengagement. Ideal for experienced instructional designers and facilitators who want to move beyond surface-level engagement and build truly high-impact learning.

Participant Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain the concept of “desirable difficulty” and why effort, when well designed, improves retention and transfer.

• Identify common places in their current programs where learning is actually too easy to stick.

• Apply practical tactics like spacing, interleaving, and retrieval practice to introduce beneficial friction into learning designs.

• Balance challenge and support so learners experience productive struggle rather than confusion or burnout.

Jay's Bio

Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents.

For more information about the ID SIG or the upcoming Meet-up, contact SIG Organizer Jay Johnson at jay@behavioralelements.com 

Note: SIGs are an exclusive member benefit for ATD Detroit and other local ATD chapter members. 

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What's a SIG?

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are small groups of members who share an affinity for a particular aspect of Talent Development. Whether it's a specific approach, a certain skill, or a common role in the industry, a SIG helps bring chapter members together to share in an interest.  

Anyone can start a SIG - all it takes is a shared interest and a meeting place! To learn more, contact the Chapter President, president@detroitatd.org.

At ATD Detroit we are all about Community, Innovation and Trust. This event is a long standing ATD Detroit tradition, inviting community members to learn from one another, sharing innovative ideas, tested techniques and new insights.  Since February is the month to celebrate love, then we celebrate the Love of Learning! 

This year we will be hosting it in a virtual format, with an opening networking session and 3 rounds of breakout sessions focused on AI.

Breakout Room Topics:

AI for content creation and Learning Design

AI for Facilitation, Coaching & Personalization

AI for Measurement, Insights & Strategy 

Schedule:

5:30 - 6:00 P.M.  Networking Time

6:00 - 6:15 P.M. Welcome and Announcements

6:15 - 7:10  Breakout Room Rotations

7:10 - 7:30 Readout from Breakout Rooms

7:30 - 7:45- Wrap up and Closing 

We hope to see you there!

ATD Detroit

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

Creating your Own Podcast Series to Train Employees is Easy to Do, and Hard to Get Right

with Robert Bilotti

Session Schedule:

5:30 - 6:15 Networking & Appetizers 

6:15 - 8:00 Session Presentation and Q&A

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

Moving From Panic to Purpose: Surviving and Thriving During Unrelenting Change

with Amy Waninger

Moving from Panic to Purpose: Responding to Changes in Your Career -

Your industry is changing more rapidly than ever before, bringing a barrage of discussions about disruption, agility, and

resilience. Professionals who adapt quickly can seize new opportunities and manage their careers. This session will introduce

various models for understanding personal and organizational change, as well as techniques for identifying and overcoming

fear, resistance, and uncertainty. Participants will work through a guided exercise to prepare for a current or imminent change.

They will leave with an action plan that puts them in the driver’s seat.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

✅ Recognize different models for understanding change from an organizational and personal perspective

✅ Identify different responses to change, including fear and resistance, in yourself and others

✅ Evaluate productive behaviors and resilience strategies

✅ Create a personalized action plan for a current or imminent change in your life or career

Schedule:

5:30 - 6:00 P.M.  Networking Time

6:00-6:15 P.M. Welcome and Announcements

6:15-7:30 Session 

About Amy C. Waninger

Amy C. Waninger (she/her) is the Founder & CEO of Lead at Any Level, where she improves employee engagement and

retention for companies that promote from within. Amy offers assessments, advisory services, and training on essential

skills for inclusive leaders. She is the author of eight books including Network Beyond Bias: Making Diversity a

Competitive Advantage for Your Career.

Amy is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

She is also a Member of National Speakers Association and a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner. She’s been named a

Top 100 HR Influencer globally, five years in a row, and has served clients and audiences on all seven continents,

including Antarctica! Her other credentials include two degrees from Indiana University and a “World’s Best Mom” coffee

mug.

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

Join us at Walsh College in Troy!

✨ Who will walk away with the title of Top Trainer of the Year? Come watch, cheer, and vote for your favorite! 

Join us at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) for appetizers, networking, and fantastic presentations!

ATD Detroit: $35

ATD Ann Arbor and West Michigan: $40

Future Members: $45

Students: $15

Each presenter will have 15 minutes to give their best training session, then attendees will vote the winner! Register today to be part of this action-packed event!

Session Schedule

5:30 - 6:30 Networking & Appetizers 

6:30 - 7:45 Top Trainer Throwdown Presentations

7:45 - 8:00 Wrap up

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

You're Invited! ⚾

Join us for a night of networking and fun at Jimmy John's Field in Utica!
Bring your family and connect with fellow professionals in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Location: Jimmy John's Field, Utica

Gates Open: 6:00 PM
First Pitch: 7:05 PM

️ Your Ticket Includes:

• Hot Dog
• Bag of Chips
• Pop or Water

Don’t miss out on a great evening of baseball, networking, and community fun. We look forward to seeing you there!

Note: Registration Closes June 16.

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members 

This recurring monthly coffee chat provides a valuable opportunity for unemployed and underemployed members to receive feedback on resume building, portfolio development, and other essential information. Join Sarah Maier, an Instructional Designer, to gain insights on upskilling your work and enhancing your professional growth!

    When: Monthly Third Tuesday at 8:00 am

    Where: Zoom (link sent out with the registration) 

    Cost:  Free for members of Detroit, Ann Arbor & West Michigan, $10 for future members