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 Member Check-in, Breakfast, and Networking
- 9:00 – 9:45
- City Hall
All Guests Check-in & Networking
- 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
Marketing in the Age of Acceleration
TBA
- 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
- TBA
- TBA
- 11:45 – 12:10
- City Hall & Recess
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- TBA
- TBA
- 12:00 – 1:00
- Bennie Johnson, CEO, American Marketing Association
- Cathedral Hall Only
Networking Luncheon
- 1:00 – 1:25
- Cathedral Hall
Striving for Campaigns with Staying Power
- Paul Brourman
SVP, Brand Creative, Kohl's
- Juliet Moffat
Management Director, VML
- 2:05 – 2:25
- Cathedral Hall & the 7th floor
Refreshment Break & Exhibits
- 3:00 – 3:25
- Kary McIlwain
- Cathedral Hall
The Role of Brand in a Crisis
Kary McIlwain |Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
- 3:45 – 4:45
- Top Floor of University Club of Chicago