DevLearn Prep - with Brent and Mike

Mike Simmons and Brent Schlenker are learning and enablement veterans with a deep passion for helping professionals connect, prepare, and get the most out of events. Mike brings expertise in sales enablement and field learning, while Brent is a long-time learning and development (L&D) leader known for building communities and driving conversation in the L&D space.

Together, they dive into how to make the most of DevLearn 2025 — from tactical planning to real-time strategies for networking, booth visits, and personal performance at large conferences.

---

1. "Go in with a plan. Take a leadership position, identify your top ten." – Mike Simmons

2. "Training is an event. Learning is a process. Technology supports them both." – Brent Schlenker

3. "You're not measured by the number of booths you visit. You're measured by the quality of conversations you have." – Mike Simmons

---

Mike Simmons and Brent Schlenker offer a real-time breakdown of how to prep for DevLearn 2025. With humor and experience, they share tips for navigating expo halls, creating intentional booth strategies, and focusing on meaningful conversations. It's about finding your catalyst through connection, clarity, and curiosity at conferences.

---

🔑 5 Key Takeaways

1. Have a Clear Conference Strategy

• Identify your top 10 booths before entering the expo hall.

• Use the conference app to scan vendors and set goals.

• Approach with purpose, not just curiosity.

2. Know Who You Want to Meet

• Research vendor teams on LinkedIn.

• Look for people in product, sales, and marketing roles.

• Ask to speak with specific people to drive deeper conversations.

3. Plan, But Be Flexible

• Set intentions, but be okay when plans change.

• Great conversations often happen by chance.

• Let spontaneity and connection guide you.

4. Make Your Time Count

• Avoid the food lines—go talk to vendors during peak break times.

• Take notes and prioritize what matters most.

• Track who you talk to and why to follow up meaningfully.

5. Support and Enable Performance

• Focus on learning tools that drive real outcomes.

• Look for vendors tackling onboarding, enablement, and everboarding.

• Remember: improving human performance is the goal, not just collecting tech.

---