Well, hello there! Did you grab your kazoo? They are right there – right next to the fat Elvis display from 1977 – which you can find at the Sands, if it still exists.

The Rat Pack is here – “Hi, Frank! Frank, it’s me, Elvis – slim version.”

Darn, no wave.  

I should have mentioned that Howard Hughes sends his best.  

If you are under 50, then Howard was the Elon Musk of his day. As a bonus, one of the hotels he owned is still there.

Swing by and ask for Howard’s room.

Here is the standard approach I take when attending a trade show.

I walk the expo floor. I look at platforms, systems, and learning technologies that interest me or catch my eye.

I then walk over to the booth and check out the product (assuming I can see it – sometimes vendors do not have their product, system, etc. visible).

I wait for a salesperson to come over and chat.

I ask questions.  

I want to do a deep dive – I want to see how much they know about what they are pitching.

They always want to qualify me (and you).

They go right into discovery, after they look at your name tag and refer to you by your first name.

Since we are instant friends, I’d like to see the system, learn about the tech, etc.

I prefer seeing it offline – i.e., not at DevLearn.

It isn’t quiet. Half the time, you can’t hear what they are saying, plus you have no idea whether this person is sales, or support, or what.

I always ask if what they are showing me (assuming it is live or being pitched as part of their marketing) is actually live, meaning it is available now in the system or tech.

Some vendors show up, but the system or technology currently lacks it.

Let’s say a vendor discusses AI and related topics.

Okay, is it live today?  

Is it included in the system?

If so, do they charge token fees, and if yes, what are they or how are they structured in terms of pricing?

If a vendor claims that it is included at no charge or for minimal cost and it is on the learner’s side, how can they validate this? For example, if you have 500 people asking multiple questions over a month?

Plus, if they can add PDFs, what is the token impact?

I will always look for text that informs people about the AI’s potential for mistakes and advises them to review before accepting.

I can assure you that you will see vendors espousing AI, and yet that text appears nowhere.

I can also promise you that someone will claim their system is 100% accurate – because they have a RAG, additional guardrails, it is built from scratch, or it comes from Google, Amazon, or another major company.

You can tell them that’s not true.

Because it isn’t.

Ask how they handle AI bias?

In other words, challenge.  

I have presented items in the past around AI – tap into them when a vendor’s sales rep starts to push AI.

Is it Generative AI or Agentic?  

If the latter, can you explain the difference to me?

I surmise a lot of people will have no idea – and these are the people trying to sell you on AI, as if it is the magic beans to solve all your issues.

In a quick review on the DevLearn site, and knowing a variety of vendors that will be there, here are some magic words you can expect to read or see – and here is what you should ask or be aware of (I am ignoring AI, because of my previous writings for now)

• Immersive Learning – Oh, this baby is going to be seen – the problem – what is immersive learning? A large percentage of the industry sees it as if you are wearing a VR or XR headset and are placed into an immersive learning environment.

Others see it as a simulation – one where you can practice or acquire new skills – whether it is via an avatar and you asking questions using an AI assistant (the AI box/window thing), and then following up.

The avatar, which can also be an actual person, is pre-recorded but able to respond to your questions (it is pretty nifty to see, but there can be lag time – ditto on the avatar too).

The question response is verbal.

For me, immersive learning isn’t one or another.  

If a vendor claims to offer immersive learning, I expect the entire XR environment, one that matches the scenario the learner needs to solve or learn from, on an ongoing basis.

On the other hand, if immersive means more simulation and/or practice labs, also known as virtual labs, then say that.

With scenario-based learning, the learner is placed in an environment where they learn new skills, build upon those skills, and then continue on to a variety of paths.

If I am using AI, AI should be the guide, not the driver. A person isn’t learning a skill if the avatar or human being talking to you (recorded) responds.  

That’s reactive and ineffective.

It doesn’t take into account a person’s learning style.

It often doesn’t place them into a real-life scenario – let’s say an angry customer (typical in retail/hospitality).

It doesn’t prompt the learner to think deeply – only deep thinking can do that, and at least today, AI cannot achieve that.

• Upskilling – It continues to be a hot topic; however, reskilling is, as I often mention, the one that folks should be focusing on, particularly in light of AI. AI will create new roles (beyond just replacing existing ones), and that is where a company should be focusing – and that learning technology or system should recognize that.

I haven’t seen a vendor master this, even with them using AI to create learning paths or content, for that matter (which everyone will say, ‘Oh, AI makes this better’)

No, it doesn’t because AI in content creators’ goal is to generate content quickly – engagement isn’t at the top of the list.

• Coaching or Mentoring – they are not the same thing. If a vendor says there are, well, in that case, a Mango is the same as an Orange. Now, as the buyer, you can choose to use the mentoring piece as a coaching piece or a combination of both – that is your choice; the vendor won’t block you. However, please note that they are not the same.

The coaching piece relies heavily on the skill focus – since a Coach is designed for that.  

For some reason, counting the number of “Ahhs and Ohhs, with a compass-looking thing and a score, is supposed to help me.

I’ve seen ones that identify your verbal score.  

However, if this matters to you, you can’t determine whether this is a common experience for the individual or a one-time occurrence.

The same with the syntax challenges.

Nobody is asking if I have a disability.

Nobody is asking if the text context output, which AI identifies, works well with accents.  

Sales training and customer training are relevant for this format—the one that outputs an index score—using some form of AI, but it doesn’t consider individuals with disabilities, accents, or speech impediments.

Only a human can do that – talking to another human – and adapt. Speaking of adapt..

• Adaptive Learning – Nice and vague. The system adapts based on various factors, thanks to AI. I can also do that, if I create a course with multiple learning journeys/pathways based on the learner’s responses or their focus, versus others.

Adaptive again isn’t clear, but it sounds impressive.

What you should be thinking is simple: how will any of these items benefit my learning audience, whether it is your employees, customers, members, or pets?

Each of these items is a tool, but relying solely on them because they are new and shiny doesn’t mean they are effective in accomplishing your goals. Remember, the primary purpose of any learning system, technology, or content is to help your audience learn, retain, and, most importantly, synthesize.

Not to show whether you get a happy face, as though you just got a sticker from your local supermarket for buying their brand of milk.

Who to Look At

Here is my list of vendors that I will check out. First, I am going to be transparent and identify those vendors who offer a 15% discount if you end up buying their system. The code when you get to that place is TCWG.  

In my haste, I jumbled up the letters – this is now fixed.

Next is my list, which I would look at, regardless of the discount. I’ve seen something or stuff I like in the system or tech.

The final list is the vendors I will be checking out.  

I will guarantee that less than 10% will ever follow up with me, even though one of the reasons I am attending the show is on behalf of a client of mine looking for learning tech and a learning system for their employees (deskless), and customers.

I will mention this, but I still won’t hear from the majority. Neither will you.

But expect a nice scan and your name on some worthless spam newsletter.

List 1

Vendors at the show offering a discount (which you can see here) – If they are on my FindAnLMS, this will be noted as (FAL). List two, again, if they are on my platform, FindAnLMS, the only learning system marketplace, it will note that.

I will identify which audience I see the system focusing on – it doesn’t mean you can’t buy because they concentrate on X – it is your choice – however, there are vendors who they won’t talk to or sell you, unless you have X number of users, or you are only in their audience.

List Two

Again, I will identify those items based on my perspective.

If the vendor is in my Top 48, I will note that as (48). Again, this refers to the overall top 48, not their final ranking.

List Three –

Who am I going to check out?

If you are not on any of the lists, well, enjoy the show.

For those wondering, I will present some highlights or lowlights from the expo each night on LinkedIn.

List One (In no specific order) – These are vendors who agreed to offer a 15% discount if you decide to purchase their system (good through Dec 31, 2026). The code will be TCWG – do not be surprised if the salesperson or whoever is in the booth isn’t aware, but the head of sales is aware and agreed to it.

For List two, my recommended you will see repeats from #1 list, and then others who are not in the discount thing.

Any vendor that is in FindAnLMS, will be noted as (FAL) and again, to repeat if they are on my top 48 – noted as (48).

List One

• 360 Learning (L&D) (FAL) (48) – Booth location 426
• DigitalChalk (Combo) (FAL) (48) – Booth location 649
• dominKnow (SaaS content creator) – Booth 527 – #1 content creator tool for 2025
• LearnUpon (Combo) (FAL) (48) – Booth 638
• Intellezy – 3rd party content provider – 25% discount on entire catalog, #1 3rd party content for 2025 , elite IT content especially with AI (always updated)

I know it is a short list, compared to the overall list – but what it says to me is that they understand the current economic conditions facing our industry and are not just providing lip service about it, rather they are taking a stand. I’m always a fan of that.

List Two (in no particular order)

• Absorb (Combo) (FAL) (48)
• D2L (Combo) (FAL) (48)
• Cornerstone Learn (L&D) (and only Learn) (FAL) (48)
• 360 Learning (FAL) (48)
• DigitalChalk (FAL) (48)
• LearnUpon (FAL) (48)
• Acorn PLMS (L&D) (FAL) (48) – Talent Development System
• Docebo (Combo, although their audience skews higher on customer training) (FAL) (48)
• Axonify (L&D) (48)
• Cognota (Learning Ops platform) – If Learning Ops isn’t your thing, keep walking – tends to align better to F500, well, to me, that is who they focus on – I am sure they will disagree
• Training Orchestra (FAL) (48) (Training Mgt System – L&D) – You are not buying them for UI/UX – you are buying them for what it can achieve.
• LemonadeLXP (L&D) (48) – Cool system, but not an LXP – that term is on its way out. It is a learning platform that has some interesting bits to it.
• MetaLark (Combo) – I saw it just the other day, and came away impressed. You have to see it. A learning curve is required, that said, it opens up a lot of possibilities. Plus the founder, Robert Gadd, will be there – and he is one of the smartest folks around in this industry. Booth 565

List Three

You will see a tad bit of AI here – and again, here is what I want each and everyone to do – Ask a lot of questions – deep dive here.

Actually you should deep dive with any vendor you are seeing at DevLearn – their job is to woo you, not the other way around.

Get into the weeds. It’s okay – you can do it!!!

Back to the List

Simple – if they have AI in their name or pitch AI with their system, I’m coming!

And yeah, I decided for my first LinkedIn post on the 12th – I’ll present my hits and misses around those vendors!

Get your popcorn ready.

Oh, plus a few of the “immersive learning folks too” – I mean, why not?

Bottom Line

a. Do not focus on the X percentage of F500 who use their system, platform, etc – unless that vendor is the only learning system/platform or tech in the entire company; which is rare, then it is just showmanship. I love how they will say, “well, that is common to be in only one area.” Okay then why do not they not mention that?

b. Remember they are to sell you, not the other way around. Is the salesperson focused on you, or are their eyes darting to see who else is in the booth? Are they eating in the booth? If you have technical questions is there someone in the booth that can assist? Find out what their role is – there are vendors who reward employees that have nothing to do with sales or support, to attend. Never assume everyone there is in sales.

Nor assume that any or everyone knows the entire system. This is big.

c. If you are asking deep dive questions and the vendor is asking what do you mean – then walk. This tells me they do not know their product.

d. Ask support questions – support is the #1 reason why people leave/hate their system.

e. Don’t be afraid to take a video recording of the system – heck, I’ll go one better – record the system – what they show you, and then DM me. I’ll ask you to send over the video – then everyone can see on my microsite for Video Demos!

Lastly, have fun.

And bring a kazoo.

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