What Learning Technologies does

Learning Technologies, founded in 1999 (originally as the IT Training Show) and operated by CloserStill Media Limited, is a UK-headquartered B2B event company that runs Europe's self-described leading workplace learning exhibition and conference. Its flagship annual event at Excel London combines a free-to-attend exhibition (200+ exhibitors and 200 free seminars) with a paid expert-led conference, supplemented by the Learning Technologies Awards (25 categories), the October Autumn Forum, the year-round Digital Hub, the LT Webinars archive (500+ webinars since 2012), and the premium Executive Club. The platform serves L&D, HR, and training professionals — drawing 15,000+ attendees from 50 countries — while giving learning technology vendors (Cornerstone, Docebo, Degreed, Synthesia, AWS, LinkedIn, and others) access to a concentrated buying audience across enterprise segments. The 25-year operating track record, 60+ parent-company industry awards, and 2024 silver anniversary milestone establish durable brand authority in the L&D community.

The company's underlying technology stack centres on a digital event platform that supports a year-round content hub, webinar hosting with on-demand replay, an official event mobile application, and an AI-powered matchmaking engine (SmartConnect 1:1 Meetings) that pairs attendees using double-sided logic. Structured peer discussion formats (PeerTalks) and premium networking environments sit within the Executive Club, reserved for senior L&D professionals from organizations with 500+ employees. Co-location with HR Technologies UK extends the platform's buyer reach into HR technology purchasing without the cost of building a separate event.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: paid conference tickets (standard and Executive Club tiers), exhibition booth sales and sponsorship packages, Learning Technologies Awards entry fees plus gala evening bookings, and year-round webinar programme sponsorships. Pricing follows a freemium model for visitors (free exhibition) layered with paid conference passes and multi-tier sponsorship rate packages. The go-to-market motion is event-driven, with attendance cultivated through digital content marketing, email and social media (LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram), webinar programming, and partnerships with industry bodies such as Fosway Group, The CPD Group, Learning News, and The Learning Hack.

Name

Learning Technologies

Legal name

CloserStill Media Limited

Website

https://learningtechnologies.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Learning Technologies, operated by CloserStill Media, is a UK-based B2B event company running Europe's leading workplace learning exhibition and conference at Excel London for L&D, HR, and training professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workplace Learning Events & Conferences

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Course Authoring, Hosting & Delivery Tools (LMS for Creators) (MPACALAJ), Online Learning Content & Course Publishing Platforms (BPAMAJAL)

Keywords

• B2B learning events
• Workplace learning conference
• L&D exhibition
• Corporate training events
• Learning technology awards

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Conference Tickets: Paid conference passes providing access to expert-led sessions, premium networking experiences, and exclusive content. Conference features tiered options including Executive Club premium access and standard passes.
2. Exhibition and Sponsorship: Exhibitor booth sales and sponsorship packages including various tiers of visibility and promotional opportunities within the event. Sponsors include major learning technology providers such as Cornerstone, Docebo, Degreed, and Synthesia.
3. Awards and Gala Evening: Entry fees for Learning Technologies Awards across 25 categories, plus gala evening table bookings and attendance.
4. Webinar Series: Ongoing webinar programming featuring sponsor participation and industry thought leadership content, maintaining year-round engagement with the community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Learning Technologies operates Europe's leading B2B workplace learning event portfolio, anchored by a free-to-attend exhibition featuring 200+ learning technology vendors and 200 free seminars, paired with a paid expert-led L&D conference. The brand extends year-round through the Learning Technologies Awards (25 categories), an online Autumn Forum, the Digital Hub content portal, a 500+ webinar archive, and a premium Executive Club networking experience, all organized by CloserStill Media and co-located with HR Technologies UK.

Product overview

Learning Technologies is a multi-format B2B event platform comprising a free exhibition (showcasing 200+ learning technology exhibitors with 200 free seminars), a paid conference (expert-led L&D sessions), the Learning Technologies Awards (25 global award categories), the Autumn Forum (online October follow-up event), the Digital Hub (year-round content repository), LT Webinars (500+ on-demand sessions since 2012), and the Executive Club (premium networking with PeerTalks and SmartConnect 1:1 meetings). The portfolio is coordinated by CloserStill Media and co-located with HR Technologies UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Learning Technologies Awards: Awards programme celebrating outstanding learning technologies worldwide, launched in 2017.
• Learning Technologies Autumn Forum
• LT Webinars
• Executive Club

Products and services

• Learning Technologies Exhibition Free-to-attend annual exhibition at Excel London showcasing 200+ learning technology vendors and 200 free seminars, attracting 15,000+ L&D, HR, and training professionals from 50 countries; co-located with HR Technologies UK.
• Learning Technologies Conference Paid, expert-led conference running alongside the exhibition, featuring sessions on key L&D trends and industry insights, with multi-tier ticketing and premium networking experiences for conference pass holders.
• Learning Technologies Awards Annual awards program with 25 categories recognizing outstanding learning technologies worldwide, including entry fees and a gala evening, providing global recognition and showcase opportunities for L&D products and teams.
• Learning Technologies Autumn Forum Online annual follow-up forum held each October during National Learning and Development Month, addressing the hottest topics in L&D with recordings available on demand.
• Digital Hub Year-round digital content platform providing the latest webinars, news, and articles for the L&D community, acting as an always-on engagement channel for the Learning Technologies brand.
• LT Webinars Year-round free webinar series with on-demand recordings, covering L&D topics including AI in learning, learning trends, and technology solutions; over 500 webinars hosted since 2012.
• Executive Club Premium networking experience for senior L&D professionals and decision-makers featuring PeerTalks (small-group structured discussions) and SmartConnect AI-powered 1:1 meetings, with access to calm premium environments for meaningful conversations at the flagship event.
• VisitorPlus Premium visitor registration tier qualifying attendees for Executive Club access at the Learning Technologies event, designed for senior L&D professionals from organizations with 500+ employees.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ professionals attended the most recent edition
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.

• HR Technologies UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning Technologies runs co-located with HR Technologies UK, combining workplace learning and HR technology exhibitions to provide comprehensive coverage of workforce development and management solutions for attendees.
• Fosway GroupstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerLearning and talent research organization partnering with Learning Technologies for research access and thought leadership content.
• StoryTaggerstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStorytelling partner that captured interviews with past conference chairs and speakers for Learning Technologies' 25th anniversary commemorations.
• The CPD GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerContinuing professional development accreditation body supporting Learning Technologies events and content.
• Learning NewssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry news outlet partnering with Learning Technologies for media coverage and content distribution.
• The Learning HacksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLearning podcast and media partner collaborating on industry content and promotion.
• CloserStill MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning Technologies is organized by CloserStill Media, a B2B events company running more than 200 award-winning events across technology, learning and HR, healthcare, and future transport and infrastructure.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DevLearn (The Learning Guild): DevLearn is a major North American L&D conference and expo run by The Learning Guild, targeting learning designers, developers, and training professionals with exhibitor booths and conference sessions. It is the most direct US-based counterpart to Learning Technologies in terms of audience and content focus.
• World of Learning: World of Learning is another B2B L&D exhibition organized by CloserStill Media, focused on the UK and select international markets. It is a sister event in the same family, sharing the CloserStill playbook, exhibitor base, and audience overlap.
• HR Tech Conference (HR Technology Conference & Exposition): HR Tech Conference is the leading North American event for HR and workforce technology buyers, with a large exhibition floor and conference program. It overlaps with Learning Technologies' HR Technologies UK co-location in audience (HR/HR tech buyers) and in competing for L&D/HCM exhibitor sponsorship.
• CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition: The CIPD Annual Conference is a major UK HR and people management event with a large exhibition floor targeting senior HR decision-makers. It is comparable to Learning Technologies in terms of being a flagship UK annual HR/L&D event with paid conference and free exhibition components.
• Training Magazine's Training Conference & Expo: Training Magazine's annual conference is a US-focused event for training and L&D professionals with an exhibition floor and conference sessions, directly comparable to Learning Technologies in terms of audience (training managers, L&D professionals) and exhibitor base (training technology providers).
• ATD International Conference & Exposition: Association for Talent Development's flagship annual conference is one of the largest L&D professional events globally, attracting thousands of talent development professionals and exhibitors. It competes for the same L&D community attention and sponsorship dollars that Learning Technologies targets.
• HR Technologies UK: HR Technologies UK is co-located with Learning Technologies and organized by the same parent (CloserStill Media). It targets HR buyers with HR tech exhibitors, sharing the same Excel London venue and audience base, making it the most directly comparable event business.

Broad incumbents

• SHRM Annual Conference & Expo: SHRM's annual conference is one of the largest HR professional events globally, drawing tens of thousands of HR professionals and a vast exhibition. It is broader in scope (HR-wide vs. L&D-specific) but competes for the same HR/L&D attendee and exhibitor pool.

Regional players

• Bett Show (Education Technology): Bett is a major global EdTech exhibition focused on schools and education, with overlapping exhibitors (LMS, learning platforms) and some audience overlap with Learning Technologies' L&D buyer base, though it is education-sector focused rather than corporate L&D.

Emerging players

• Coursera Connect: Coursera Connect is an emerging online learning conference/community operated by a major online learning platform, targeting enterprise L&D buyers. It represents the digital-native alternative to in-person B2B learning events and competes for senior L&D executive attention.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/learntechuk?lang=en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/LearningTechUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/LearningTechnologiesEvent
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/learningtechnologies
• Instagraminstagram.com/learningtechnologiesevents

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Learning Technologies