Consulting Firm Bersin & Associates Unveils Agenda for Research Conference, IMPACT 2009: The Business of Talent

IMPACT 2009: The Business of Talent(R), the only research conference on corporate learning and talent management, will feature a keynote panel of senior business executives who will discuss how the current economy is impacting global talent and learning strategies. In addition to 30 general and breakout sessions, the conference will include two pre-conference workshops, available to all registrants, on reducing learning costs and talent management in a recession.

Hosted by President Josh Bersin, the keynote panel, "Talent Management as a Business Strategy: Perspectives from the Top," will include the following business leaders:

• Helle Bay, senior vice president of business performance, people, and culture with Vestas Wind Systems, a 24,000-employee global company that is the world's supplier of modern energy solutions. This rapidly growing company has installed more than 35,000 wind turbines in 63 countries.
• Frank Anderson, president of the Defense Acquisition University, a part of the Department of Defense. The DAU provides training, career management, and other services to the acquisition, technology, and logistics community, which encompasses thousands of individuals across all branches of service.
• Lee Ann Timreck, principal with Booz Allen and a key contributor to the organization's talent management strategy. Booz Allen was recently named to Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for the fifth consecutive year.

More than 50 executive presenters - including senior representatives from Aramark, Alfa, The Boeing Company, British Telecom, CA, Extra Space Storage, The Federal Reserve, Heidrick & Struggles, Kaiser Permanente, Luxottica, Northrop Grumman, Bank of NY Mellon, MetLife, Sun Microsystems, Qualcomm, TD Bank, Turner Broadcasting, and Textron - will present case studies and participate in a wide range of panel discussions. The conference will take place at The Vinoy Renaissance Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, on April 14-16.

Recent research conducted by Bersin & Associates shows that corporate training spending is down by 11% and more than 43% of organizations recently surveyed are dealing with significant reorganization initiatives.

"We've designed all aspects of this conference to help executives grapple with the major challenges brought about by this recession," said Josh Bersin, president. "This year's conference is filled with pragmatic, proven solutions and brand new research on how organizations of all sizes are leveraging learning and talent management to support changes in business strategy. I can personally guarantee that every attendee will gain practical, workable ideas and valuable new contacts to help them implement learning and talent programs that save money, reduce costs, and speed business transformation." Bersin will open the conference with a research keynote, "Lessons from Enduring Organizations: How to Succeed in Tough Economic Times."

Full details, including the conference agenda, session descriptions, and speakers are available at http://impact2009.bersin.com/. Bersin & Associates analysts will present highlights from a range of recent research publications, including TalentWatch, The Guide to Modern Performance Management, and the Corporate Training Factbook, as well as soon-to-be-published research on the LMS market and social learning platforms, succession management, new career models, and the disciplines for the modern training organization.

About Bersin & Associates

Bersin & Associates is the only research and advisory consulting firm focused solely on research in enterprise learning and talent management. Bersin & Associates' WhatWorks(R) research and research-based services are designed to deliver actionable direction and to help improve operational effectiveness and business impact.

Bersin & Associates research members gain access to a comprehensive library of best practices, case studies, benchmarks, and in-depth market analyses designed to guide professionals in making fast and confident decisions. Research areas include planning and strategy, learning programs and delivery, talent management, technology and infrastructure, talent acquisition, and measurement and analytics. Member benefits include in-depth advisory services, webcasts, analyst visits and briefings, and strategic workshops.

Bersin & Associates is the host of the only research conference on enterprise learning and talent management, IMPACT 2009: The Business of Talent(R), scheduled for April 14 - 16 in St Petersburg, Florida. This year's conference features more than 60 senior HR and learning leaders; many sessions will highlight cost-cutting strategies and ways to improve business impact through innovative approaches.

For more information, go to www.bersin.com.