The 40th IODA annual conference brought the global Organization Development community together in Bangkok to explore sustainability, share ideas and enjoy the power of coming together as a global community.
From thought-provoking keynotes and inspiring sessions to cultural experiences and meaningful conversations, the 40th Annual IODA Conference in Thailand brought our global OD community together around a shared purpose: creating more sustainable, adaptable and innovative organizations and societies.
Held from 15–17 October 2026 and hosted by Assumption University of Thailand, the conference explored the theme “OD for Sustainability: Wisdom, Adaptability, Innovation.” Set on Assumption University’s impressive, scenic campus, with its expansive grounds and lake, the gathering also offered participants a glimpse of the Thai setting and the hospitality of our hosts. Across three days, participants came together to exchange knowledge, challenge perspectives, learn from one another and strengthen the connections that make IODA such a special community.
A conference rooted in wisdom, adaptability & innovation
The conference opened with a warm welcome from our hosts at Assumption University, including a traditional Thai Bai Sri welcome ceremony, before IODA President Peter Kalmar officially opened the event.
Our two keynote speakers, Jacqueline Wong, Founder and Senior Partner of Sequoia Group and Dean of Sustainability Institute in Singapore, and Dr Piti Tantakasem, Director and CEO of TMBThanachart Bank Public Company Limited, offered perspectives to stimulate reflection and conversation around the challenges and opportunities facing organizations today.
Alongside the keynote and concurrent sessions, the conference also featured poster presentations by Organization Development and PhD students, offering an opportunity to share research, showcase emerging ideas and bring new perspectives into the global OD community.
Across the concurrent sessions, participants explored a wide range of OD approaches and practices, exchanging knowledge, challenging perspectives and learning from one another. These conversations reflected the conference’s central theme and the important role Organization Development can play in creating a more sustainable future.
Honouring the legends of Organization Development
The second morning began with a particularly touching moment: a celebration of life and service honouring the OD luminaries whose contributions have helped shape our field and made a lasting difference to people and organizations.
Participants were invited to reflect on the lives and legacies of these remarkable individuals. It was a moving reminder that the development of our field rests on the dedication, wisdom and generosity of those who have contributed so much over the years.
The luminaries honoured were:
- Dr Imre Lovey
- Suzanne Zaldivar
- Dr Perla Rizalina Maturan Tayko
- Mee-Yan Cheung-Judge
- Professor Udai Pareek
- Edgar H. Schein
Beyond the sessions: celebrating our global community
As always, an IODA conference is about much more than what happens in the conference room.
The Thai Gala Dinner offered an opportunity to celebrate together, enjoy Thai music and cultural traditions, and recognise contributions to our field through the Saul Silverman Award and the Richard Beckhard Award.
The Richard Beckhard Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Field of OD was awarded to Annette Simmons of Group Process Consulting. The Saul Silverman Award, which recognises and encourages people who have applied innovative tools and theory towards healing and the resolution of conflict, had two deserving winners: Soraya Jamjuree, of Civic Women in Southern Thailand, and Daria Yemets, of the Resilience Ukraine Project. Congratulations to all three recipients for their important contributions to the field and the communities they serve!
The second evening brought the community together again for an international-themed networking dinner, with cultural presentations, shared laughter and plenty of opportunities to connect across cultures and generations. The IODA silent auction also supported the association’s Scholarship Fund, helping strengthen opportunities for participation in our global community.
A particularly meaningful moment was the passing of the IODA Quilt from the 2026 Thailand host team to the 2027 Netherlands team; a symbolic handover connecting one conference to the next and continuing IODA’s tradition of bringing people together across borders.
The conference concluded on day 3 with a visit to Air Orchids and the local floating market at Wat Lam Phaya, followed by a closing gathering in the university’s church. Afterwards, an open circle took place outside with Peter Kalmar and Dr Kitikorn Dowpiset, Dean of the Graduate School of Human Sciences and Director of the Organization Development Institute (ODI) of Assumption University, addressing participants, who shared reflections on their experience.
The connections we carry home
Perhaps the most lasting impact of an IODA conference cannot be captured in a programme. It lives in the conversations over coffee, the ideas exchanged between sessions, the friendships renewed and the new connections made with people from around the world.
As participant Amrita Mazumdar beautifully expressed:
Thank you for the love, the conversations, the interactions, and the camaraderie that made this experience so special. What I will carry with me long after the conference are not just the ideas we exchanged, but the warmth of the people, the connections we made, and the sense of belonging to a community that genuinely cares.
I am grateful for the memories, the laughter, and the connections — something I will cherish for a long time to come.
These words capture something at the heart of IODA: a global community that brings together people who care deeply about Organization Development, about learning from different perspectives, and about making a positive difference in the world.
A heartfelt thank you
A conference of this kind is made possible by the generosity, commitment and collaboration of many people.
To everyone who participated, thank you. Thank you for bringing your heart, experience, curiosity, questions and ideas, and for contributing to the conversations that make our community richer.
To our speakers, facilitators and presenters, thank you for sharing your knowledge, research and practice, and for creating opportunities for learning and reflection.
To our wonderful host team at Assumption University of Thailand, thank you for your warm hospitality, thoughtful organization and generosity in welcoming the IODA community. Your efforts helped make this gathering a memorable experience for everyone involved.
And to everyone who contributed behind the scenes, supported the programme, helped create connections or simply brought their energy and enthusiasm to the gathering: thank you for being part of it.
As we celebrate 40 years of IODA conferences, this gathering reminded us that our strength lies not simply in the number of people who gather, but in the relationships we build, the knowledge we share and the impact we create together.
Relive the memories
The conference may be over, but the memories and connections continue. Explore the photo galleries and revisit some of the highlights from our time together in Thailand.
- View the conference photo gallery of day 1: 15 October
- View the conference photo gallery of day 2: 16 October
- View the conference photo gallery of day 3: 17 October
We look forward to continuing these conversations, building on what we have learned and reconnecting with our global OD community at the next IODA gathering.
Next stop: the Netherlands, 25–27 August 2027!
Until then, let’s keep learning, connecting and creating sparks to connect opposites.
Thank you, Thailand, for welcoming the IODA family so warmly. We leave with new ideas, lasting memories and a renewed sense of belonging to our global community.