ATD Charlotte Chapter Meeting
In PERSON October 19, 2023 5:45pm - 8:00pm (Eastern)
The Power of Play In Learning
ATD Capabilities:
Professional: Learning Science
Professional: Learning Impact
Organizational: Business Insight
Organizational: Talent Strategy and Management
Organizational: Data and Analytics
Topic Overview:
Attention spans are decreasing, and keeping people engaged and paying attention is becoming harder and harder. The decrease can challenge facilitators to keep their audience focused and increase retention. Fortunately, play is the ultimate tool for engagement, curiosity, and remembering content.
In this session, Mathew Heinecke, engineer, author, entrepreneur, and artist who has developed hundreds of learning games, will show you how to use play to engage and teach. We will discuss:
(1) The importance of play in learning.
(2) Utilize practical examples of play to use in our training.
(3) Discuss different playful motivating factors in our training.
Most of my presentation uses games to keep the audience engaged and as examples of using "play" in various ways to teach.
Presented by:
Mathew Heinecke
Register Now!
Bio:
Mathew Heinecke is a driven individual who challenges themself to learn and grow daily and provide compassion to others. Growing up in Utah has given him an appreciation for the outdoors and respect for nature. Being in a biracial couple and having a mixed and blended family has shown him the beauty and strength of our differences. And playing many sports in his youth helped him appreciate the power of teamwork and how to acquire success through determination.
Mathew and his wife have founded several businesses, including an escape room, a mind gym, and an online platform for game-based learning of development skills. Play has always been central to their mission of bringing people together and making learning fun.
Mathew’s ultimate vision is implementing life/human skills courses into as many schools and businesses as possible. Imagine a society where we are all in better control of our emotions and have the mental tools to connect and efficiently collaborate with others deeply.

Join ATD Charlotte for our monthly chapter meeting. Meet other talent development professionals in the Charlotte area, discover job opportunities and - if you're recruiting - connect with job seekers, hear about the latest chapter news, and participate in a fantastic program.
IN PERSON:
All times Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Location: Palmer Building; 2601 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204
Parking: 112 spots on location around the building
Registration: 5-6pm
Meeting start time: 5:45pm
Note: for any guests attending (without a guest pass), please select 'Guest-In Person' for your registration; the cost is $20 to cover the meeting and food.
We are looking forward to seeing you! Remember that in order to protect food costs and your membership dollars ATD charges a $20 no-show fee. So if something comes up please cancel by Monday 12noon before the meeting. Thanks!!!
Meeting Schedule:
All times Eastern Time (US & Canada)
- 5:45pm - Meeting starts
- Dinner!
- Networking & Job Forum
- Chapter Announcements
- Presentation
- 8:00pm - Meeting Concludes