It’s time to look back on the incredible journey we’ve had at the IODA Conference 2023 in Geelong (7-9 September). Over three days, we witnessed a convergence of brilliant minds, innovative ideas, and a shared passion for organization development all of which made this event truly exceptional.

The conference brought together professionals from all over the world and from different backgrounds, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas. We explored diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of organization development in today’s dynamic world and the rich tapestry of experiences and insights shared was nothing short of remarkable.

As Isaac Peter, our participant from Singapore mentioned and the creator of the below video, which hopefully conveys what IODA tries to achieve at every conference, “i’ve attended many conferences but this felt more like a family gathering…. it truly is a community beyond trying to canvas business. It is what I envision an OD community should be. The conversations were uplifting and generative, the level of diversity is amazing and the sessions were enriching”.

Thank you to our host team for building this great conference, to our sponsors for helping us make it happen and to all the participants who made it to Geelong and share our passion for driving positive change within organizations.

Congratulations to Rod Barnett for winning the Richard Beckhard award for continued service to OD. Rod has been a kind and gentle influence on our organization – bringing people together with respect and dignity. Congratulations to Ohnmar Myo Aung of Myanmar who took the Saul A. Silverman Award for applying innovative tools and theory towards healing and the resolution of conflict. These success stories are a testament to what can be achieved when vision, dedication, and innovation align.

In summary, the IODA Conference 2023 Australia was an enriching experience that left us with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of organization development. As we return to our respective workplaces, let’s apply the knowledge gained and continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in our field. Let’s stay connected, share our learnings, and work together to shape the future of organization development.

We hope to see you at the next IODA Conference 2024 in Mexico City from 3rd to 6th October.