Every year, DevLearn brings together the brightest minds in Learning & Development to explore the future of learning technologies, operational excellence, and workforce transformation. This year’s event—hosted at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas—was no exception.
From AI-driven design tools to operational insights that redefine L&D strategy, DevLearn 2025 showcased the power of innovation, collaboration, and data in shaping the next evolution of enterprise learning.
For Cognota, it was a week of meaningful conversations, packed sessions, and even a 90’s party or two—proving once again that LearnOps® is more than a framework—it’s a movement.
Setting the Stage: DevLearn 2025’s Biggest Themes
Before diving into Cognota’s highlights, it’s worth reflecting on the conference’s key themes that defined this year’s conversations across stages, workshops, and the expo floor:
1. AI in Action—Beyond the Hype
Sessions like “AI Unfiltered: What Works, What Fails, and What Awaits” and “Empowering Sales Reps with AI: How a Chatbot Drives Real-Time Learning” demonstrated a clear shift in how L&D teams are using AI. This year’s focus wasn’t on potential—it was on practical application.
Leaders shared how AI agents, adaptive design, and generative tools are being operationalized to accelerate content creation, personalize learning paths, and free up human capacity for strategic work.
2. Measurement and ROI Take Center Stage
From “Practical Measurement Approaches” to “Show the Value of Learning: Demonstrating the Impact of L&D”, this year proved that the era of “checking the box” learning is over. L&D teams are embracing metrics that connect learning outcomes to business performance—aligning more closely than ever with operational and financial KPIs.
This movement mirrors Cognota’s mission: helping learning and talent teams move from activity reporting to data-driven business impact through LearnOps®.
3. Operational Transformation is No Longer Optional
Sessions such as “From Chaos to Clarity: A Roadmap for Streamlining L&D Operations” and “Reimagining the LMS: Modern Alternatives to Legacy Systems” showed that leaders are rethinking how learning gets done—adopting tools, frameworks, and processes that create visibility, alignment, and efficiency.
This shift toward operational excellence is exactly what LearnOps® represents: connecting intake, planning, delivery, and measurement in a single, integrated ecosystem.
The LearnOps® Certification Jam: Where It All Began
Our DevLearn journey kicked off with a high-energy pre-conference workshop that blended certification, collaboration, and serious 90’s nostalgia.
Presented by Cognota, powered by LearnOps®, and fueled by 90’s vibes, this hands-on session brought together learning and talent leaders ready to reinvent their operations.
Hosted in the ELB Learning Experience Room, the four-hour workshop was led by:
-
Ryan Austin, CEO of Cognota
-
Michelle Pletch, ELB Learning
-
Matthew Mason, Truist
Participants earned their LearnOps® Certification through a mix of interactive exercises and real-world application—leaving with a clearer picture of how to streamline workflows, improve alignment with business goals, and measure impact in meaningful ways.
Party Like It’s 1999: ELB Learning’s 90’s Bash
After the Certification Jam, the momentum continued into the evening with ELB Learning’s 90’s Party—an event Cognota proudly sponsored.
Flannel shirts, neon scrunchies, and classic hits from the Backstreet Boys and Nirvana set the tone as hundreds of learning professionals gathered to unwind and connect.
The event wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about bridging generations of learning. The conversations flowed easily between hits of the past and visions of the future: how AI, analytics, and operational design are shaping the next decade of workplace learning.
If the LearnOps® Jam fueled the day’s insights, the 90’s Party kept the spirit alive into the night—reminding everyone that community is what powers innovation in this ever-evolving industry.
Standing Room Only: The Rise of LearnOps® at DevLearn
On November 12th, the LearnOps® conversation took center stage.
🎤 The Rise of LearnOps®: Data-Driven Strategies for L&D Operational Excellence
Featuring Ryan Austin (Cognota) and Debbie Richards (Cognota), this featured session—both in-person and livestreamed—drew a massive crowd. The room filled to capacity, with standing attendees lining the back to catch every insight.
The presentation explored:
-
How top-performing learning teams are standardizing intake and planning
-
The LearnOps® Maturity Model as a framework for growth
-
New 2025 benchmark data from over 500 L&D leaders
-
Practical ways to use operational data to forecast capacity, manage budgets, and demonstrate ROI
Audience participation was high, both in the room and online, as Ryan and Debbie unpacked how LearnOps® transforms L&D from order takers to strategic business partners.
The energy in the room was electric—underscoring that the shift from “learning delivery” to “learning operations” is happening now, not next year.
Dinner with the Industry: The Human Edge in the AI Age
That evening, we joined our friends at 360Learning and Edflex for an intimate dinner at Crush American Grill inside the MGM Grand.
The discussion, “The Human Edge: L&D Strategy in the AI Age”, brought together a select group of senior L&D leaders for open conversation about the evolving role of human creativity, empathy, and leadership in an AI-enabled world.
Hosted by David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, the dinner sparked meaningful dialogue around balancing automation with authenticity. Participants shared how they’re integrating AI while protecting the “human edge”—the creativity and connection that make learning impactful.
It was the perfect cap to a day focused on innovation and alignment—and another example of how collaboration drives this industry forward.
Meet the Author: Dr. Keith Keating Book Signing
Day two brought one of the most anticipated moments of the conference: the book signing with Dr. Keith Keating, author of Hidden Value: How Great L&D Leaders Unlock Potential and Reimagine Performance.
Hosted at the Cognota booth on November 13th, the signing began at 1:00 PM—but the line started forming by 12:30. Within minutes, the booth was buzzing with excitement.
As the keynote speaker for DevLearn 2025, Dr. Keating’s message—“From the Trusted Learning Advisor to Hidden Value: How to Reveal the Impact of Organizational Learning”—set the tone for the entire week. His appearance at Cognota’s booth brought that message full circle, connecting with hundreds of learning and talent professionals eager to get their free, signed copy of Hidden Value (courtesy of Cognota).
The book’s theme—turning hidden potential into measurable value—echoes perfectly with Cognota’s LearnOps® philosophy: aligning people, process, and technology to deliver operational excellence and business impact.
Conversations That Mattered
Throughout the week, the Cognota team had hundreds of conversations with L&D, HR, and Talent leaders across industries—from finance and healthcare to tech and manufacturing.
A few key trends consistently emerged:
-
Budget management and resource optimization are top of mind heading into 2026. Leaders are searching for better ways to plan, forecast, and measure investments across their learning portfolios.
-
AI readiness and operating models are becoming boardroom discussions. Organizations realize that scaling AI responsibly starts with an efficient operational foundation.
-
Data fluency is becoming a required skill in L&D—not just for analysts, but for program managers, designers, and facilitators who want to prove their value.
As one attendee told us at the booth: “AI is transforming how we deliver learning, but LearnOps is transforming how we run learning.”
DevLearn’s Bigger Picture: L&D’s New Era
Across keynotes, panels, and expo sessions, the message was clear: L&D’s future is operational, data-driven, and business-aligned.
AI is rapidly accelerating innovation, but the organizations seeing the biggest impact are those that:
-
Treat L&D as a business function, not a service desk
-
Operate with clear processes for intake, prioritization, and measurement
-
Connect learning outcomes to enterprise goals through operational transparency
This mindset shift—from reactive to strategic, from siloed to systemized—is exactly what LearnOps® enables.
What’s Next: Continuing the LearnOps® Momentum
As we head into 2026, one thing is certain: the LearnOps® movement is growing fast.
At DevLearn, we saw more conversations than ever about aligning learning operations with business priorities, leveraging AI responsibly, and showcasing measurable impact. Cognota is proud to be leading this transformation—partnering with L&D teams, technology providers, and thought leaders across the globe to elevate the discipline of Learning Operations.
If you joined us in Las Vegas—whether at our workshop, session, or booth—thank you for being part of this journey. And if you couldn’t make it, don’t worry: the LearnOps® conversation is just getting started.
Ready to Reinvent Your Learning Operations?
Whether you’re looking to improve visibility, optimize budgets, or align learning with strategy, Cognota can help you operationalize your team for the year ahead.
📅 Book your complimentary LearnOps® Consultation today to assess your team’s maturity and identify growth opportunities as you plan for 2026.
Let’s make 2026 the year your L&D team runs like a business—and drives measurable impact across your organization.
👉 Book your customized LearnOps® consultation
