Set against the backdrop of the Colorado Rockies, July's LTEN 2025 conference brought together life sciences training professionals from across pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and diagnostics sectors. With topics ranging from AI and EQ to coaching effectiveness and neuroscience-backed learning, this year’s conference struck a thoughtful balance between innovation and human connection.
Representing Echelon Performance, sales training and coaching experts Ed McCarthy and Claire Davids attended the event, and came back with plenty of insights (and yes, a few puppy photos). From packed workshops to surprising vendor-floor moments, here’s what stood out.
What We Noticed
Coaching Took Center Stage
While coaching is always part of the LTEN conversation, this year it wasn’t just talked about—it was prioritized. Claire tracked down some of the best coaching-related sessions we’ve seen yet, and Ed appreciated how many sessions focused on proving coaching ROI (finally).
The age-old question: “How do I get buy-in for a program before I have the data to justify it?”, was front and center, and several presenters offered real, tactical frameworks to solve it.
AI Is Everywhere, and Still a Work In Progress
There was an entire “AI Day” as you'd suspect. And yes, the term was plastered on signs and slides. But the real story? Most teams are still asking the same questions: Should we be doing something with AI? What exactly? And how do we do it responsibly?
We heard more skepticism than blind enthusiasm, which honestly, felt refreshing. The consensus: Don’t ignore AI, but don’t blindly follow the hype either.
EQ and the Human Side of Training
One of the best sessions we attended focused on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and its irreplaceable role in learning and development. It was a helpful reminder that while tools evolve, people still learn best from people.
The session, featuring speakers from LEADx (Kevin Kruse), and made a strong case for keeping empathy and connection at the heart of leadership training—even as automation creeps in.
What We Loved
The Neuroscience + Coaching Crossover
Claire raved about the neuroscience sessions—especially one led by Dr. Dan Doherty from BrainTrust. The insights into how our brains actually retain training stuck with us, and we appreciated the actionable tips for integrating neuroscience into coaching programs without needing a PhD.
First-Time Attendees and Fresh Energy
Ed noted a real shift in the attendee mix this year: more first-timers, more med tech and diagnostics folks, and more representation from non-commercial areas like medical affairs. It gave the conference a fresh feel—and validated that LTEN is evolving with the industry.
Book Signings That Didn’t Feel Like Sales Pitches
LTEN also carved out space for authors to share and sign their books, and it worked. We especially enjoyed chatting with Kevin Kruse of LeadX during his signing. It was a nice break from the usual vendor blitz—though we will say, some parts of the exhibit hall felt a little too unfinished (someone call the carpet crew?).
Who We Connected With
Big thanks go to:
The CMR Institute, whose puppy lounge stole the show and offered a much-needed serotonin boost between sessions. It was adorable. There was a long line. It was worth it 🐾🐾- LeadX, brought serious substance to the EQ conversation. Their session on emotional intelligence reminded us that people skills still really drive performance.
- Red Nucleus, featured in a standout “Coach the Coaches” session that packed the room. Their practical insights on leadership development and training delivery definitely earned a few scribbled pages in our notebooks.
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