BNI Tech Talk - BNI Academy Intro (Feb 27, 2026)

Webinar summary for BNI Tech Talks (02/27/2026)

Quick recap
 

Jeremy Walsh, Director of Support for BNI's platforms, hosted a Tech Talk webinar to introduce and provide an overview of BNI Academy, the organization's new learning management system. Jeremy explained how to access and navigate BNI Academy through MyBNI.com, demonstrated key features like training programs, courses, and resources, and addressed common questions about accessing Spanish content and submitting CEUs. The session included a Q&A portion where Jeremy responded to numerous participant inquiries about system access, course completion tracking, and future platform developments.

Summary

BNI Tech Talks Platform Overview

Jeremy welcomed participants to the Tech Talks session, highlighting the global attendance despite challenging weather conditions in some regions. He introduced the team supporting BNI's platforms and outlined the agenda for the session, which includes covering various BNI platforms and addressing participant questions. Jeremy also mentioned that the session would be recorded and uploaded to BNI Academy and the support site. He concluded by introducing a pop quiz question about the release date of BNI Academy.

BNI Academy Release Overview

Jeremy provided an overview of BNI Academy's release and login process. He explained that a sneak preview was released to national directors and others on February 16th, while the full release to the public occurred on February 23rd. Jeremy clarified that members can only log into BNI Academy through MyBNI.com, and accounts are activated within one day of becoming an active member. He noted that while BNI Academy is still under development, its current purpose is to provide training for members, with plans for additional features in the future.

BNI Academy Platform Navigation Overview

Jeremy demonstrated how to access and navigate the BNI Academy platform, highlighting key features such as the Member Success Program and SCORM training packages. He explained that new members should automatically find the Member Success Program on their home screen and emphasized the importance of checking pop-up blockers if the training does not open properly. Jeremy also described the interactive nature of SCORM packages, which include videos, chapters, quizzes, and other features designed to enhance the learning experience.

BNI Academy Course Completion Guide

Jeremy explained how to complete courses in BNI Academy, emphasizing the importance of using the exit button in SCORM files to ensure proper tracking of course completion. He also demonstrated how to submit support tickets through the BNI Connect support site or by email, directing users to contact support@bniconnect.com for faster assistance.

Training Catalog Navigation Overview

Jeremy demonstrated how to search for and enroll in training courses through the training catalog, including podcasts and other content. He explained the difference between courses and training programs, noting that courses are single items while training programs are more comprehensive. Jeremy also mentioned that access to certain training materials may be limited based on a user's membership level and location.

BNI Academy Platform Overview

Jeremy explained the structure and functionality of BNI Academy, highlighting that it offers shared leadership training courses and resources that can be downloaded by members. He clarified that while certificates from BNI Business Builder have migrated to the new platform, advanced features like reports and managed training are still under development and primarily accessible to leadership teams. Jeremy also addressed common questions, noting that there are no leaderboards or scoring systems in BNI Academy, and emphasized that the platform is continuously evolving with input from a dedicated team.

BNI Systems Updates and Releases

Jeremy discussed several issues and updates related to BNI systems. He addressed a problem with MSP notification status in BNI Business Builder, advising users to submit support tickets for errors. Jeremy announced an upcoming major release of BNI Connect on March 7th, which will include 80 new classifications and a third level for member specialties. He also confirmed that BNI Academy access would be linked to BNI Connect, though he wasn't sure if this feature would be included in the upcoming release. Jeremy explained that AskIvan, an AI-powered question-answering tool, is currently in pilot testing and will be rolled out worldwide in multiple languages once fully trained.

BNI Academy Platform Updates

Jeremy discussed updates and issues related to the BNI Academy platform, including changes to the BNI Business Builder link and the upcoming BNI Academy link. He addressed individual training issues, such as Sherry's incomplete presentation course notification and Joseph's question about resetting the MSP yearly training, noting that regional offices might assist with resets. Jeremy clarified that there is no mobile app yet but confirmed one is in development, and he highlighted a bug causing the search button to disappear on mobile screens, which is a high-priority fix. He also explained how users can change the language on their profiles to access Spanish training content.

SCORM and Support Ticket Guidance

Jeremy explained that SCORM stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model, a technical standard for e-learning software products. He clarified that accessing the support website does not require being logged into BNI Connect, but certain help articles may be restricted based on user roles. Richard inquired about reviewing support tickets, and Jeremy advised that executive directors can view all submitted tickets by logging into the support site and clicking on their name under activities and requests. Katarina asked about uploading materials, and Jeremy directed her to contact globaltraining@bni.com for assistance. Corn inquired about accessing Podcast 510, and Jeremy recommended visiting BNI Podcast.com for a dedicated and comprehensive resource. Lastly, Jeremy advised Jen to submit a support ticket regarding her migration issue, which would be handled individually.

BNI Academy Q&A Overview

Jeremy hosted a Q&A session about BNI Academy, addressing various questions from participants. He clarified that the platform is a custom-built system on an LMS framework and explained that BNI Connect's social and learning platforms have different purposes. Jeremy advised participants to utilize BNI Connect for community spaces and recognition features, as these tools will be upgraded later. He also discussed the status of Spanish course translations and CEU credits, noting that some content may not have properly migrated from BNI Business Builder. Jeremy encouraged participants to submit support tickets for troubleshooting issues and mentioned that future updates will include an app integration and improved functionality.