The XR Association has announced its inaurual Limitless Future > XR for Learning and Development (LFC) Conference on Wednesday, which will launch on November 4.
The half-day event will join top officials and professionals to discuss the future of the virtual, augmented, mixed, and extended reality (VR/AR/MR/XR) as applied to the training and education sectors.
The XRA’s industry-wide conference will present the event along with key organisations such as Jobs for the Future, the Association of Talent Development, Greater Atlanta Chapter, and the Society for Resource Management (SHRM) in Atlanta.
TOMORROW come learn with @KristinaOptimi1 of @jfftweets about how #XR…
➡️ Promotes economic opportunity, helps workers from #diverse backgrounds
➡️ Strengthens in-demand skills
➡️ Drives business
➡️ Advocates for #Socialimpacthttps://t.co/Qay6AI1Wgt pic.twitter.com/01n2gjVPzi— XR Association (@XRAssociation) November 3, 2021
The Washington, DC-based organisation has also received approval from the SHRM and Association for Talent Development (ATD) Certification Institute to offer up to 4.0 continuing education units (CEU) points in the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) certification programmes.
Speakers confirmed to join the event include:
- Chike Aguh, Chief Innovation Officer at the United States Department of Labor
- Marc Metis, Vice President, Enterprise Software and Global Head of Vive X
- Kristina Francis, Executive Director for JFFLabs
- Daniel Guenther, Managing Director of Accenture Extended Reality (XR)
- Ayreann Luedders, Senior Director II for Walmart US Academies
- Kevin Marcum, Program Manager for ACS Learning & Development with Delta Airlines
- Tomissa Smittendorf, Director of Kellogg North America Sales Learning and Development at Kellogg Company.
The news comes amid comments from Elizabeth Hyman, Chief Executive of the XR Association, who explained how employers across industries were “facing historic labor shortages compounded by a widening skills gap” in the global economy.
She added,
“XR technology is the tool to unlock the potential of American workers. We’re excited to bring together leaders in learning and development from a variety of industries who are employing XR to achieve more effective, efficient and equitable training outcomes”
Kristina Francis, Executive Director of JFFLabs, echoed Hyman’s statements, adding immersive technologies helped companies and trainers “prepare people quickly, effectively, and efficiently.”
She continued,
“But the impact doesn’t stop at the bottom line: Immersive tech empowers workers to build core skills they will use on the job, in their communities, and throughout their lives”
Her firm’s partnership with the XRA and backing of the LFC would allow JFF to work with industry professionals to build immersive tools to create “meaningful social impact” along with “significant business value,” Francis concluded.
Cornelius Dowdell, Chapter President for the Association of Talent Development’s Greater Atlanta Chapter and Senior Talent Development Strategist, said that his organisation was exited to partner with the XRA and its event, adding the ATP hoped to,
“share insights and resources about this cutting edge technology that is transforming the learning and development profession. The use of XR for training is unlocking potential and helping to bridge the skills gap in ways never before seen.”
The news comes after Joan O’Hara, Vice President of Public Policy for the XRA, told XR Today in an interview US lawmakers were urged to back the inclusion of XR technologies in the US Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), which aims to build critical infrastructure and technologies across the US.
The top organisation representing the global XR industry features many global tech giants as association members, including Google, Oculus, Microsoft, HTC VIVE, and Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Groups interested in attending the XRA Limitless Future Conference can visit its website for more information on speakers and sessions.
