LNI: Networking Breakfast: Professional Networks as a source of professional development

Welcome to 2027! This is another of our successful breakfast events where we dig deep into topics that matter to us as learning professionals.

Cost: Free – buy your own breakfast

Today we are discussing how our professional networks, learning communities, and structured mentoring act as catalysts for our professional growth. You are already part of the NZATD communityor may have included a community as part of your solution design so you already have experience to share. 

Some of the questions we’ll be pondering:

• Thinking about the learning communities you’ve been part of, what made some sustainable and others fade away? 

• How important is trust? 

• What motivates you to share your expertise online rather than just consume content? 

• As new platforms emerge, what will help us adopt technology in ways that genuinely support learning rather than overwhelm it? 

• Looking ahead to 2027, what identity or capability shifts do you anticipate, and how could your networks support that growth? 

These are some of the articles I’ve been reading on this topic. Feel free to bring others.

Sava S, Crasovan M, Lustrea A and Lomos C (2026) Editorial: Unleashing potential in changing times: professional networks and learning communities in professional development. Front. Educ. 11:1992664. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2026.1992664

Simion A, Albulescu I and Stan C (2026) Trust, challenges and sustainability in professional learning communities: insights from higher education students. Front. Educ. 11:1757686. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2026.1757686

Discussions will be facilitated by your local NZATD Committee.

Host: Lower North Island

Event eligibility: This event is open to NZATD members, affiliates and non-members.

Registering for this event:

• There is no cost to register.  Attendees will pay for their own breakfast. 
• Members can register for this event by logging in using their member login details.
• Affiliates: (HRNZ, AITD, CDANZ, FLANZ, ICF, NZOQ, PSANZ, TechCommNZ) can attend at member rates. When registering, follow the non-member registration process and use the 'Online Affiliate' promo code to access the member rate. Contact your affiliate administrator for this code.

Cancellations and Attendance:

• Please give 48 hours notice of cancellation.
• Once registered, you will be expected to pay regardless of attendance.
• Substitutions permitted if transferred to someone holding the same
• ticket type e.g. member. Non-members are not permitted to attend in place of a member.