Conference Agenda 2025

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 24, 2025

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  • 9:00 – 9:25
  • Cathedral Room

Registration & Continental Breakfast

  • 9:25 – 9:30
  • Josh Blacksmith, President, AMA Chicago
  • Cathedral Room

WELCOME

  • 9:30 – 9:55
  • Julie Giese
  • Cathedral Room

NASCAR Chicago Street Race

  • 10:00 - 10:25
  • To Be Announced
  • Cathedral Room

Morning Keynote — sponsored by VML

Refreshment Break & Exhibits
  • 10:25 – 10: 45
  • Cathedral Room & the 7th Floor

Refreshment Break & Exhibits

  • 10:45 – 11:10
  • Cathedral Room & the 7th floor rooms

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

B2B Omnichannel Journey

B2B Omnichannel Journey

Medline

Brand Analytics & Measurement

Brand Analytics & Measurement

United Airlines

Beyond the Buzzword: Building Brand Loyalty Through Diversity and Inclusion.

Beyond the Buzzword: Building Brand Loyalty Through Diversity and Inclusion.

VML

  • 11:25 – 11:50
  • Cathedral Room & the 7th floor rooms

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Marketing Science Case Study
  • To Be Announced
  • TBD

Marketing Science Case Study

Mutinex

Transforming with Purpose: Actionable Strategies to Lead Ethical Digital Innovation
  • Jennifer Severns
  • TBD

Transforming with Purpose: Actionable Strategies to Lead Ethical Digital Innovation

Severns Innovation Group, LLC

Reducing Failures: All You Need to Know You Learned in Marketing 101, Almost
  • Gary Kash
  • TBD

Reducing Failures: All You Need to Know You Learned in Marketing 101, Almost

Gary Kash Marketing Insights

Networking Luncheon
  • 12:00 – 1:00
  • Cathedral Room Only

Networking Luncheon

        • 1:00 – 1:25
        • To Be Announced
        • Cathedral Room

        Afternoon Keynote Speaker — sponsored by Viant

              • 1:40 – 2:05
              • Cathedral Room & 7th floor rooms

              CONCURRENT SESSIONS

              From Roots to Relevance: How a 500-year Brand Adapts to Customer Needs
              • Frank Haas
              • TBD

              From Roots to Relevance: How a 500-year Brand Adapts to Customer Needs

              Gebrüder Weiss

              Data-Driven Insights for Sustainable Brand Growth
              • Lova Randrianasolo, PhD.
              • TBD

              Data-Driven Insights for Sustainable Brand Growth

              Loyola University Chicago

              AI for Job Security
              • Rick Wion
              • TBD

              AI for Job Security

              Ingredion Incorporated

              • 2:05 – 2:25
              • Cathedral Room & the 7th floor

              Refreshment Break & Exhibits

              • 2:25 – 2:50
              • Cathedral Room & the 7th floor rooms

              CONCURRENT SESSIONS

              Brand Storytelling and Emotional Branding
              • Christine Buck
              • TBD

              Brand Storytelling and Emotional Branding

                HIMMS

                To Be Announced
                • TBD
                • TBD

                To Be Announced

                Future Proofing Talent for Marketing Organizations
                • Tatia Torrey
                • TBD

                Future Proofing Talent for Marketing Organizations

                Spencer Stuart

                • 3:00 – 3:25
                • To Be Announced

                Closing Keynote

                Happy Hour — sponsored by Be Found Online
                • 3:45 – 4:45
                • Top Floor of University Club of Chicago

                Happy Hour — sponsored by Be Found Online

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                What BrandSmart Attendees Say

                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.