Change management professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and earn recognized credentials have a new opportunity this fall. IMA Worldwide will host its four-day AIM Practitioner Certification program in Portland, Oregon, from October 12 through 15, 2026. The program trains participants to apply the company's Accelerating Implementation Methodology (AIM) to organizational change and AI adoption initiatives. The announcement matters because it directly addresses a critical gap in the workforce: the ability to manage the human side of technology and transformation projects, which often determines whether such efforts succeed or fail.
The Portland program is delivered through an Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Qualified Education Provider, meaning completed hours count toward Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) requirements. This credentialing alignment is significant for practitioners who must maintain their certifications while gaining practical skills. It also lowers the barrier to entry, as no prior change management certification is required to attend. The program is designed for a broad audience, including change managers, change practitioners, change leads, change agents, transformation leaders, HR and organizational effectiveness professionals, program and portfolio leaders, technology and AI transformation teams, and others supporting organizational change.
Developed by founder Don Harrison, AIM centers on four core drivers of sustained change adoption: sponsorship, readiness, resistance, and reinforcement. These drivers are increasingly relevant as organizations grapple with AI adoption, reorganizations, and merger integrations. Participants are encouraged to bring an active organizational initiative and apply AIM concepts directly to it throughout the four days, ensuring that learning translates immediately into actionable results. The hands-on approach helps professionals build the skills needed to guide their organizations through complex transitions.
Sessions run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily at The Bidwell, a Marriott hotel located at 520 Southwest Broadway in Portland. Tuition is $3,500 per participant, and seating for the in-person cohort is limited. Dr. Jennifer Vernam leads the Portland session, bringing more than 27 years of healthcare experience along with more than 20 years in organizational training, leadership development, and change management. Her deep expertise will provide participants with practical insights drawn from real-world change efforts.
Participants who complete the program earn the AIM Practitioner credential, which includes a digital LinkedIn badge based on applied work completed during the four days. This badge offers a tangible way for professionals to demonstrate their skills to employers and peers. Registration and full program details, including hotel booking information, are available at IMA Worldwide AIM Practitioner Certification - Portland. For more information about the company and its broader offerings, visit imaworldwide.com or explore additional resources at https://lab.imaworldwide.com. The program reflects the growing demand for change management expertise as organizations face relentless technological and structural change.
