The Smartest Room in Marketing.

Digital Summit Chicago Agenda 2026

Conference sessions focusing on what's now and what's next for marketing leaders.

Keynote Speakers

David Shing
David Shing
Digital Prophet
Shingy
Jenny Haggard
Jenny Haggard
Head of Global Thought Leadership
Spotify

Featured Conference Speakers

Jerri Helms
Jerri Helms
SVP, Marketing Operations
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Purna Virji
Purna Virji
Principal Consultant (Evangelist) & Global Program Manager
LinkedIn
Sahirah Johnson
Sahirah Johnson
SEO Strategy Lead
Meta
View All Speakers

During Digital Summit, all of the conference sessions take place within the following programming categories across the three breakout rooms:

  • Brand Trust and Safety
  • Customer Intelligence and Experience
  • Creativity, Differentiation & Cultural Relevance
  • Next-Gen Operations & Infrastructure
  • Brand Visibility
  • The Mastermind Hub
  • The Growth Roundtable
Learn More About These Categories

Full Event Agenda

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AMNetworking  Opening Power Hour: Check-in | Coffee | Exhibits | Breakfast for VIPs   Opening Power Hour: Check-in | Coffee | Exhibits | Breakfast for VIPs 
9:00 AM - 9:15 AMOpening Remarks  Emcee Opening KickoffSteve KrullSteve Krull, Be Found Online   
9:15 AM - 10:15 AMKeynoteGreat Lakes DEFG Why the Future of Media is Sound-On and What It Means for MarketersJenny HaggardJenny Haggard, Spotify   
10:15 AM - 10:30 AMNetworking  15-minute Recharge  |  Network  |  Exhibits     
10:15 AM - 10:30 AMDemoDemo Zone (Networking Area) Tech Showcase: Your Community App - How Community Outperforms Social, Email & AdsNiki Hollis Alli PyleNiki Hollis, Retronyms
Alli Pyle, Retronyms		   
10:30 AM - 11:15 AMThe Growth Roundtable TrackGreat Lakes ABB2BJoin a Small-Group Discussion: Strategies for the Modern B2B Buyer JourneySamantha Kermode Dana Schmidt Kim Stricker Liam WadeSamantha Kermode, SparkStack
Dana Schmidt, Slice Communications
Kim Stricker, Social Motto
Liam Wade, Impression		   
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMThe Mastermind Hub TrackGreat Lakes CPaid Advertising, Google AdsBreaking the Performance Max Default: Regain Control, Improve Marginal ROI, and Scale Google Ads Profitably [Premium Pass or VIP Pass Required]Susan WenogradSusan Wenograd, Mixtape Digital   
10:30 AM - 11:15 AMNext Level Strategy TrackGreat Lakes DEFGVideo, LinkedInVideo That Moves Pipeline: How to Drive Revenue Impact with LinkedIn Video Across the Full FunnelPurna VirjiPurna Virji, LinkedIn   
11:15 AM - 11:30 AMNetworking  15-minute Recharge  |  Network  |  Exhibits     
11:30 AM - 12:15 PMCustomer Intelligence and Experience TrackGreat Lakes ABCustomer Journey, ContentYour Customer Journey Map Isn’t Working: Build a Messaging Compass, not a MapJohn Triplett Dustin DiehlJohn Triplett, IDX
Dustin Diehl, IDX		   
11:30 AM - 12:15 PMNext Level Strategy TrackGreat Lakes DEFGEmail4 Steps to Becoming an Email Marketing Queen (or King) Jessica BestJessica Best, BetterAve   
12:15 PM - 1:15 PMNetworking  Networking Lunch & Exhibits    Networking Lunch & Exhibits  
1:15 PM - 2:00 PMBrand Visibility TrackGreat Lakes ABSEO, AIIs Your Brand Invisible to AI? How to Win in AI Search Before Your Competitors DoNate TowerNate Tower, Perrill Digital Marketing   
1:15 PM - 2:45 PMThe Mastermind Hub TrackGreat Lakes CPaid Advertising, Google AdsWhen Business Goals Break Google Ads: How to Translate Revenue Objectives Into Signals Google Can Actually Optimize For [Premium Pass or VIP Pass Required]Susan WenogradSusan Wenograd, Mixtape Digital   
1:15 PM - 2:00 PMUnplugged TrackGreat Lakes DEFGCustomer ExperienceActionable Affinity, Unplugged: Turning Customers, Communities & Employees into Loyal Fans Lauren TeagueLauren Teague, FANWAGN   
2:00 PM - 2:15 PMNetworking  15-minute Recharge  |  Network  |  Exhibits     
2:15 PM - 3:00 PMCreativity, Differentiation & Cultural Relevance TrackGreat Lakes ABStorytellingStart a Fire: Deliver Human-First Storytelling in a World of AI Noise Tyler FarnsworthTyler Farnsworth, Campfire   
2:15 PM - 3:00 PMBrand Trust and Safety TrackGreat Lakes DEFGB2B, InfluencersTurning Expertise into Influence: How B2B Organizations Build Authority and Trust in the AI EraSamantha KermodeSamantha Kermode, SparkStack   
2:45 PM - 3:15 PMNetworking  30-minute Networking Break & Exhibits     
3:00 PM - 3:15 PMNetworking  15-minute Recharge  |  Network  |  Exhibits     
3:15 PM - 4:00 PMBrand Trust and Safety TrackGreat Lakes ABCustomer Experience, Employee AdvocacyThe Experience Multiplier: Delivering Effective Employee Advocacy that Impacts Your Bottom LineDana SchmidtDana Schmidt, Slice Communications   
3:15 PM - 3:45 PMNext Level Strategy TrackGreat Lakes CCreativity, AI, Personal and Professional DevelopmentHuman Creativity in the Age of AI: Keeping Your Creative EdgeMonica CravottaMonica Cravotta, Bluehost   
3:15 PM - 4:00 PMCustomer Intelligence and Experience TrackGreat Lakes DEFGUser ExperiencePersonas Are Dead: A New Approach to Understanding Your CustomersAyat ShukairyAyat Shukairy, Invesp   
4:00 PM - 4:15 PMNetworking  15-minute Recharge  |  Network  |  Exhibits     
4:15 PM - 5:00 PMNext Level Strategy TrackGreat Lakes ABThinking & Decision-MakingThe Curiosity Advantage: Protecting Human Value in the Age of AIJerri HelmsJerri Helms, HarperCollins Christian Publishing   
4:15 PM - 5:00 PMCreativity, Differentiation & Cultural Relevance TrackGreat Lakes CContent, Creativity, Internal Operations, Cultural TrendsThe Death of the Brief: Why the Best Ideas Don’t Come from the DeckThea NealThea Neal, Kansas City Chiefs   
4:15 PM - 5:00 PMBrand Visibility TrackGreat Lakes DEFGVideo, YouTube, AI, SearchAI, SEO, and Video: A New YouTube Playbook for Marketing LeadersMichael HoffmanMichael Hoffman, Gather Voices   
5:00 PM - 6:00 PMNetworking  Happy Hour | Exhibits | 1st Passport Winners Announced   Happy Hour | Exhibits | 1st Passport Winners Announced 
6:30 PM - 8:00 PMNetworking  Mingle & Market-share: Offsite VIP Reception   Mingle & Market-share: Offsite VIP Reception 
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AMNetworking  Opening Power Hour: Coffee  |  Exhibits  |  Breakfast for VIPs   Opening Power Hour: Coffee  |  Exhibits  |  Breakfast for VIPs 
9:00 AM - 10:00 AMKeynoteGreat Lakes DEFG Beyond the Prompt: How AI is Reshaping Creativity, Connection & the Future of MarketingDavid ShingDavid Shing, Shingy   
10:00 AM - 10:15 AMNetworking  15-minute Recharge  |  Network  |  Exhibits     
10:15 AM - 10:45 AMNext Level Strategy TrackGreat Lakes ABContentDesigning Content Operations for Velocity, Consistency, and ROI Ariana KeilAriana Keil, Canto   
10:15 AM - 11:45 AMThe Mastermind Hub TrackGreat Lakes CContent, StorytellingThe Story-First Strategy: Transforming Content into Connection [Premium Pass or VIP Pass Required]Derek HubbardDerek Hubbard, Global Brand & Communications Executive Leader   
10:15 AM - 11:00 AMNext Level Strategy TrackGreat Lakes DEFGDemand Generation, Conversion Optimization, MeasurementThe Conversion Blueprint: How to Identify, Measure, and Convert Contacts into Real RevenueStephanie RistowStephanie Ristow, Ristow Marketing   
11:00 AM - 11:15 AMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break & Exhibits     
11:15 AM - 12:00 PMThe Growth Roundtable TrackGreat Lakes ABBrand TrustJoin a Small-Group Discussion – Rebuilding Brand Trust in the Age of AI and MisinformationJerri Helms Matt Ingwalson Tyler LaneJerri Helms, HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Matt Ingwalson, Optimism Delivers
Tyler Lane, Session Interactive		   
11:15 AM - 11:45 AMCustomer Intelligence and Experience TrackGreat Lakes DEFGAI, Customer JourneyHuman-Led, AI-Powered: A Panel Discussion on Designing Digital Journeys People TrustMichael Heller Dana Crow Cherie Dupor Krystyna KeenaMichael Heller, IDX
Dana Crow, IDX
Cherie Dupor, Senior Lifestyle
Krystyna Keena, Senior Lifestyle		   
12:00 PM - 1:00 PMNetworking  Networking Lunch & Exhibits    Networking Lunch & Exhibits  
1:00 PM - 1:30 PMNext Level Strategy TrackGreat Lakes ABPerformance MarketingPerformance Marketing Is a Trap (If You Let It Be)Liam WadeLiam Wade, Impression   
1:00 PM - 2:30 PMThe Mastermind Hub TrackGreat Lakes CCrisis Communications, StorytellingStorytelling in the Storm: Communicating with Clarity & Credibility During a Crisis [Premium Pass or VIP Pass Required] Derek HubbardDerek Hubbard, Global Brand & Communications Executive Leader   
1:00 PM - 1:45 PMBrand Visibility TrackGreat Lakes DEFGAI, Search, Social MediaBuilding a Visibility Strategy: How Search, Social, and AI Answers Shape Modern Discovery Tyler LaneTyler Lane, Session Interactive   
1:45 PM - 2:00 PMNetworking  15-minute Recharge  |  Network  |  Exhibits     
2:00 PM - 2:30 PMCustomer Intelligence and Experience TrackGreat Lakes ABMobilePersonalization That Performs: Turning Zero & First-Party Data into Mobile Attributable RevenueJohn JohnsonJohn Johnson, Vibes   
2:00 PM - 2:45 PMCreativity, Differentiation & Cultural Relevance TrackGreat Lakes DEFGSocial Media, StorytellingUsing Episodic Storytelling to Build Cultural Movements that Drive Lasting Loyalty and Measurable EngagementKim StrickerKim Stricker, Social Motto   
2:30 PM - 3:00 PMNetworking  30-minute Networking Break & Exhibits     
2:45 PM - 3:00 PMNetworking  15-minute Recharge  |  Network  |  Exhibits     
3:00 PM - 3:45 PMBrand Visibility TrackGreat Lakes ABAI, Content, SEOBeyond Rankings: Building Resilient SEO Strategies in an AI-Governed WebSahirah JohnsonSahirah Johnson, Meta   
3:00 PM - 3:45 PMIndustry Spotlight Track (Agency)Great Lakes CContentSeven Proven Strategies for Agencies in the Unhappiness EraMatt IngwalsonMatt Ingwalson, Optimism Delivers   
3:00 PM - 3:45 PMBrand Trust and Safety TrackGreat Lakes DEFGSocial Media, Employee Advocacy#AirplaneMode: Inside United Airlines’ Employee Creator Strategy (And How You Can Put It to Work)Julia Fedor Paul HolteJulia Fedor, United Airlines
Paul Holte, United Airlines		   


  Check our past events to view agenda examples. Programming is continuously evolved, come back soon to see a more accurate & detailed sessions.