DIRECTIONS
Lauren Harbert
Hello LTEN community, and happy May! As the spring flowers appear, we’re just about a month away from gathering for the LTEN Annual Conference. The excitement is building, the final details are coming together and we are looking forward to seeing so many new and returning faces in June.
This month, with our biggest networking opportunity looming, I want to talk about something that makes our community truly special — partnerships.
Our industry partners play an incredibly important role in the LTEN community and in the success of learning organizations across life sciences. Whether you are part of a small team looking for scalable solutions or a large organization looking for innovation, strategy support, technology or new ways to engage learners, our partners bring ideas, expertise and solutions that can make a real difference in your work.
The LTEN Annual Conference is the best opportunity to meet these partners face-to-face, ask questions, see demonstrations and start conversations that often turn into long-term collaborations. This year, we’re building even more chances to engage with our partners throughout the week.
Many of you may remember last year’s Monday evening activity where we encouraged attendees to explore the exhibit hall, use a map and visit sponsored booths for a chance to win prizes. It was a huge success and, more importantly, it kick-started meaningful conversations and connections.
This year, we’re expanding that idea into a Daily Discovery Guide that will run throughout the week. Attendees will be encouraged to visit different booths and participate in partner activation activities each day. It’s a fun way to explore the hall – now rebranded The Discovery Hall – to learn about new tools and solutions and connect with the organizations that support our industry.
We are also especially excited that our annual team-building charity event will take place in The Discovery Hall on Tuesday afternoon, continuing our support of Ronald McDonald House Charities. This is another great opportunity to spend time in the hall, connect with your partners and colleagues and give back together as a community: That’s something that has always been an important part of LTEN.
Of course, partnership is often a subsequent step in LTEN relationships. First we have to connect with one another. That’s where networking comes in.
Some of the most valuable moments at LTEN conferences happen in the hallways, during meals, at receptions and in conversations between sessions. These exchanges spark new ideas, solve problems, create friendships and remind us that we are not doing this work alone.
There will be many ways to connect this year — before, during and after the conference. Attendees will be able to connect in advance through the conference app, and onsite, of course, there will be countless opportunities during receptions, workshops, meals and breaks to meet new people and reconnect with colleagues.
Those who may not be attending this year — and those who want to keep the conversations going year-round — can start or continue conversations in The Network, our community forum. It’s quickly becoming a place where members collaborate, ask for ideas, share solutions and learn from each other throughout the year, and I encourage you to take advantage of it.
As we head into the final stretch before the conference, the energy is building. More people than you realize are working hard to make every aspect of LTEN2026 a meaningful, engaging and connected experience for all of you.
I’m excited. I’m grateful for this community. And I can’t wait to see you in June.
Lauren Harbert is executive director of LTEN. Email Lauren at lharbert@L-TEN.org or connect with her through linkedin.com/in/lauren-harbert/.