The speakers and topics were great! Great job with the content!
Liked the outline, the rhythm, the host. Dynamic event with short, concise talks.
Loved that networking breaks had fun food stations. Whoever thought of that was brilliant.
Conference Agenda 2026
BrandSmart delivers a powerful showcase of mainstage and breakout session presentations featuring brand innovators, thought leaders, disruptors and transformers to explore the trends and tools shaping the future of branding.
This agenda is subject to change.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
- 8:45 – 9:30
- Recess
AMA Chicago Members: Check-in, Breakfast & Networking
- 9:00 – 9:45
- City Hall
All Guests: Check-in, Networking & Continental Breakfast
- 9:45 – 9:55
- Chris McGuire
- City Hall
WELCOME
Chris McGuire | President, AMA Chicago | Director of Client Growth & Engagement, McGuffin Creative Group
- 9:55 - 10:20
- City Hall
Building Brands That Stick in the Age of Acceleration
Morgan Mulvihill Roberts | VP of Brand, The Gorilla Glue Company
- 10:20 – 10:45
- Jennifer Bell
- City Hall
The Velocity Trap: What Speed Is Costing Your Brand
Jennifer Bell | CMO, Lettuce Entertain You
- 10:45 – 11: 05
- City Hall & Recess
Refreshment Break & Exhibits
- 11:05 – 11:30
- City Hall & Recess
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Santhi Ramesh
CMO, The Pampered Chef
- TBA
- 11:45 – 12:10
- City Hall & Recess
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- George Couris
CEO, Pepper Group
- TBA
- 12:20 – 1:00
- City Hall
Networking Luncheon
- 1:00 – 1:30
- City Hall
The CMO Whisperer Podcast (live episode taping)
- Steve Olenski
The CMO Whisperer
- Christine Buck
CMO, Minitab
- 1:30 – 1:55
- Darcie Graham
- City Hall
Creativity Is Not Just a Talent — It’s a Responsibility
Darcie Graham | Creative Director, CO-5
- 1:55 – 2:35
- City Hall & Recess
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Raj Hosahalli
SVP, Head of Global Programs and Partnerships for Marketing, NielsenIQ
- Adam Constantine
- Founder, ACE Creatives
- 2:35 – 2:55
- City Hall & Recess
Refreshment Break & Exhibits
- 2:55 – 3:30
- City Hall & Recess
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Steve Krull
- CEO, Be Found Online
- Jennifer Severns
- Founder, Severns Group
- Tara Giuliano
- CMO, Nuveen
- 3:30 – 3:55
- Cory Rothschild
- City Hall
When Logic Says Go, but Fear Says Stop
Cory Rothschild | President, Sunnyside
- 3:55 – 4:55
- The Patio & Recess