Explorance Celebrates Learning Excellence at World 2026 Awards Ceremony

Explorance, a leader in feedback analytics, recently hosted the inaugural Metrics That Matter (MTM) Learning Excellence Awards at the Explorance World 2026 event. The awards recognized 23 organizations that have excelled in learning measurement and shown remarkable strategic value.

This prestigious event highlighted the dedication of these organizations to enhancing learning experiences and demonstrating measurable business impacts. The awards were categorized into three tiers: Gold, Silver, and Bronze, acknowledging top performers based on rigorous benchmarks measuring core learning Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including learner satisfaction, Net Promoter Scores, and improvements in performance metrics.

During the ceremony, notable keynote addresses from industry leaders emphasized the evolving landscape of learning and development (L&D). Steve Lange, General Manager of the MTM division, delivered an insightful talk titled "The MTM Vision - Roadmap Optimizing the Value of Learning Investments." Lange discussed the increasing expectation for L&D teams to move from traditional program performance reporting to a strategic role that includes building essential skills and showcasing tangible business value. He stressed the need for predictive intelligence and continuous optimization in learning metrics to drive smarter investment decisions.

In another compelling address, Michael Rochelle, Chief Strategy Officer at Brandon Hall Group, presented a keynote titled "Performance or Irrelevance - The Moment of Truth for L&D and Talent." Rochelle highlighted the critical challenge L&D leaders currently face in proving the impact of learning initiatives on business outcomes, warning that failure to transform into a strategic business driver could lead to significant consequences for learning functions. His call to action for Chief Learning Officers (CLOs) emphasized the necessity to demonstrate Return on Investment (ROI) and align learning strategies with broader organizational goals.

Lange reflected on the significance of the award recipients, stating, "These organizations represent the front lines of a transformative shift in learning and development. They exemplify how data-driven insights can fuse with strategic priorities to create measurable impacts expected by businesses today."

This year’s award recipients included distinguished organizations such as Belle Tire, Heartland Dental, and T-Mobile Corp., representing a strong commitment to learning excellence. The Gold Award winners (top 5%) included:

- Belle Tire
- Heartland Dental
- Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies
- United Health Group

The Silver Award class (top 10%) featured exceptional performers like Pratt & Whitney Customer Training and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Bronze Award recipients (top 25%) included a diverse group such as Allegion, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, and Johnson Controls International, showcasing a broad spectrum of industries committed to learning excellence.

Explorance World 2026 served as a convergence point for L&D professionals, learning strategists, and innovators exploring the future landscape of workforce development. The event offered key insights into emerging trends and best practices in analytics and learning measurement.

In conclusion, Michael Rochelle summarized the essence of the awards by stating, "The future of learning measurement hinges on the ability of learning organizations to emerge as strategic partners to the business. They must leverage predictive capabilities to influence business actions and ensure the continual enhancement of workforce performance at all levels."

The MTM Learning Excellence Awards highlight the vital role of comprehensive learning measurement systems in guiding learning leaders to judiciously invest their resources and demonstrate their impact on business success.

About Explorance

Founded in 2003 in Montreal, Explorance is recognized globally for its commitment to enhancing feedback analytics to help organizations engage deeply with their workforce and drive meaningful growth. With a thriving customer base exceeding 1,000 organizations across more than 50 countries, including a fraction of the Fortune 500, Explorance fuels learning experiences that translate into measurable outcomes.

For more information, visit www.explorance.com.