IMA Worldwide will host its four-day AIM Practitioner Certification program in Portland, Oregon, from October 12 to 15, 2026, offering change management professionals a pathway to earn Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) eligible hours and a digital LinkedIn badge upon completion. The announcement signals a growing demand for structured, methodology-driven training as organizations increasingly grapple with AI adoption and large-scale transformation initiatives.
The program trains participants to apply IMA Worldwide's Accelerating Implementation Methodology (AIM), a framework developed by founder Don Harrison around four core drivers of sustained change adoption: sponsorship, readiness, resistance, and reinforcement. By focusing on these drivers, AIM aims to equip practitioners with practical tools to navigate the human side of change, which often determines the success or failure of technology rollouts, reorganizations, and merger integrations.
IMA Worldwide delivers the certification through an Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Qualified Education Provider, meaning the completed hours count toward CCMP requirements. This credentialing aspect is significant for professionals seeking to formalize their expertise without prior change management certification. 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, and technology and AI transformation teams. Participants are encouraged to bring an active organizational initiative—such as an AI adoption effort or a technology rollout—and apply AIM concepts directly to it throughout the four days, ensuring immediate practical relevance.
Dr. Jennifer Vernam leads the Portland session, bringing more than 27 years of healthcare experience and over 20 years in organizational training, leadership development, and change management. Her extensive background underscores the program's emphasis on real-world application and experienced instruction.
Sessions run daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Bidwell, a Marriott hotel at 520 Southwest Broadway in Portland. Tuition is $3,500 per participant, and seating is limited for the in-person cohort. 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 provides a tangible way for professionals to showcase 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 IMA Worldwide and its broader offerings, visit imaworldwide.com. Additional resources can be found at https://lab.imaworldwide.com.
The certification's timing reflects a broader market shift. As organizations accelerate AI adoption, the ability to manage change effectively becomes critical. AIM's focus on sponsorship, readiness, resistance, and reinforcement addresses common pitfalls that derail transformation efforts. By offering CCMP-eligible hours and a LinkedIn badge, IMA Worldwide positions its program as a strategic investment for professionals aiming to lead change in an era of rapid technological disruption. The limited seating and in-person format suggest a commitment to high-quality, interactive learning, which may appeal to organizations seeking to build internal change capability. Ultimately, the Portland program highlights the increasing professionalization of change management and its essential role in ensuring that AI and other transformative initiatives deliver their intended value.
