2026 Agenda

The CMO Outlook keynote panel brings together three leading marketing and communication executives from leading DC area companies to discuss their outlook for 2027— and beyond. This “big picture” panel... Read More

AJ Jones II is the Executive Vice President, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer at Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE) reporting to the Chairman and CEO. In this role, he oversees the... Read More

Search is no longer just about ranking on a page of blue links. As AI-powered engines reshape how people discover information, evaluate brands, and make decisions, marketers are navigating a... Read More

Public affairs leaders sit at the intersection of policy, reputation, and public trust—translating complex organizational priorities into messages that resonate with regulators, media, and communities alike. In this candid roundtable... Read More

For a century, the playbook was linear: target by demographics, then wait for people to age into relevance. That approach no longer works. In a purpose-driven economy, relevance must be... Read More

Ad tech is evolving faster than most of us can keep up with the terminology, and AI is undoubtedly playing a role. This practical, jargon-free session cuts through the noise... Read More

Washington’s communications landscape has kept shifting since the new administration took office. The initial reset has given way to a more settled — but still unpredictable — rhythm of policymaking,... Read More

In a marketplace overflowing with messages, the brands that matter most are not the ones people simply notice—they are the ones people feel connected to. In this keynote, Marc Paulenich... Read More

Several of the region’s leading social media thought leaders and practitioners will provide insight into their outlook for 2027 and beyond. How has their social strategy shifted in the last... Read More

Today’s ad production engine is straining under pressure. Demand for content is surging, timelines are shrinking, and resources are stretched thin. For public affairs, advocacy, and government campaigns, a 24-hour... Read More

The center of gravity in public policy advertising has shifted — in where the money goes, how targeting and messaging are delivered, and where. With federal gridlock pushing real policymaking... Read More

The adoption of AI is outpacing the guardrails meant to manage it — and communications is feeling it first. As Bill Gates and others warn that governance hasn’t caught up... Read More

As we head into 2027, B2B marketing is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by AI, changing buyer behaviors, and new approaches to search, demand generation, and customer engagement. This... Read More

The line between “journalist” and “influencer” has blurred, but the distinction still matters — for audiences, for brands, and for the creators themselves. This panel explores what separates creator journalists (who report,... Read More

Public affairs is shifting from broad messaging to precision, where data, targeting, and measurable outcomes define success. In this session, Benjy Messner, founder of New River Strategies, joins Carl Kuhl,... Read More

Experiential marketing thrives on the unexpected, yet creating an original activation is one of the biggest challenges in our industry. Join Kurt Roberts of Goodbeast as he shares a blueprint... Read More

AI is compressing the B2B buying cycle, and the companies that monetize confusion and fragmentation are most at risk. In this session, Tim Condon, CRO of Clutch, breaks down how... Read More

For years, marketers have focused on maximizing reach, impressions, and conversions. Yet some of the most important campaigns today aren’t selling products, they’re changing behavior. Whether encouraging people to prepare... Read More

Agentic AI tools play an increasingly important role in automating communications and marketing operations tasks. In this session, participants will watch the ActivatUs team build a working AI agent in... Read More