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 Speaker

Zaria Parvez
Zaria Parvez
Head of Social
DoorDash

Featured Conference Speakers

Jerri Helms
Jerri Helms
Vice President Digital Marketing and Analytics
HarperCollins
Purna Virji
Purna Virji
Principal Consultant, Content Solutions
LinkedIn
Sahirah Johnson
Sahirah Johnson
Director, Search (SEO & SEM)
Nasdaq
View All Speakers

Full Event Agenda

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AMNetworking  Opening Power Hour: Registration Opens, Networking & Exhibits     
9:00 AM - 9:15 AMOpening Remarks  Emcee Opening Kickoff     
9:15 AM - 10:15 AMKeynote  KeynoteZaria ParvezZaria Parvez, DoorDash   
10:15 AM - 10:30 AMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break     
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMThe Mastermind Hub Track Content, StorytellingThe Story-First Strategy: Transforming Content into Connection [Premium Pass or VIP Pass Required]Derek HubbardDerek Hubbard, BrandStorytelling   
10:30 AM - 11:15 AMBrand Visibility Track Video, YouTube, AI, SearchAI, SEO, and Video: A New YouTube Playbook for Marketing LeadersMichael HoffmanMichael Hoffman, Gather Voices   
10:30 AM - 11:15 AMThe Growth Roundtable Track B2BJoin a Moderated Roundtable Discussion: Strategies for the Modern B2B Buyer JourneyMichael HoffmanMichael Hoffman, Gather Voices   
11:15 AM - 11:30 AMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break      
11:30 AM - 12:15 PMBrand Trust and Safety Track Customer Experience, Employee AdvocacyThe Experience Multiplier: Delivering Effective Employee Advocacy that Impacts Your Bottom LineDana SchmidtDana Schmidt, Slice Communications   
11:30 AM - 12:15 PMCreativity, Differentiation & Cultural Relevance Track Community EngagementFrom Brand-Led to Customer-Powered: Implementing Community-Driven Marketing to Fuel GrowthAllyson ForstromAllyson Forstrom, Life is Good   
12:15 PM - 1:15 PMNetworking  Networking Lunch & Exhibits      
1:15 PM - 2:00 PMNext Level Strategy Track Email4 Steps to Becoming an Email Marketing Queen (or King) Jessica BestJessica Best, BetterAve LLC   
1:15 PM - 2:45 PMThe Mastermind Hub Track Crisis Communications, StorytellingStorytelling in the Storm: Communicating with Clarity & Credibility During a Crisis [Premium Pass or VIP Pass Required] Derek HubbardDerek Hubbard, BrandStorytelling   
2:00 PM - 2:15 PMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break      
2:15 PM - 3:00 PMBrand Visibility Track AI, Content, SEOBeyond Rankings: Building Resilient SEO Strategies in an AI-Governed WebSahirah JohnsonSahirah Johnson, Nasdaq   
2:45 PM - 3:15 PMNetworking  30-minute Masterclass Networking Break     
3:00 PM - 3:15 PMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break     
3:15 PM - 4:00 PMCreativity, Differentiation & Cultural Relevance Track StorytellingStart a Fire: Deliver Human-First Storytelling in a World of AI Noise Tyler FarnsworthTyler Farnsworth, Campfire   
3:15 PM - 4:00 PMBrand Trust and Safety Track B2B, InfluencersTurning Expertise into Influence: How B2B Organizations Build Authority and Trust in the AI EraSamantha KermodeSamantha Kermode   
4:00 PM - 4:15 PMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break      
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM   Session Information Coming Soon! Kim StrickerKim Stricker, Social Motto   
4:15 PM - 5:00 PMCreativity, Differentiation & Cultural Relevance Track  The Death of the Brief: Why the Best Ideas Don’t Come from the DeckThea NealThea Neal, TMN Branding   
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM   Networking Reception      
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM   Offsite VIP Networking Reception     
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AMNetworking  Check In | Networking & Exhibits      
9:00 AM - 10:00 AMNetworking  Keynote     
10:00 AM - 10:15 AMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break      
10:15 AM - 11:45 AMThe Mastermind Hub Track  Masterclass Information Coming Soon! [Premium Pass or VIP Pass Required] Susan WenogradSusan Wenograd, SmartSpark Marketing   
10:15 AM - 11:00 AMBrand Visibility Track AI, Search, Social MediaBuilding a Visibility Strategy: How Search, Social, and AI Answers Shape Modern Discovery Tyler LaneTyler Lane, Session Interactive   
10:15 AM - 11:00 AMIndustry Spotlight Track (Agency) ContentSeven Proven Strategies for Agencies in the Unhappiness EraMatt IngwalsonMatt Ingwalson, Optimism Delivers   
11:00 AM - 11:15 AMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break      
11:15 AM - 12:00 PMCustomer Intelligence and Experience Track User ExperiencePersonas Are Dead: A New Approach to Understanding Your CustomersAyat ShukairyAyat Shukairy, Invesp   
11:15 AM - 12:00 PMThe Growth Roundtable Track Brand TrustJoin a Moderated Roundtable Discussion – Rebuilding Brand Trust in the Age of AI and Misinformation     
12:00 PM - 1:00 PMNetworking  Networking Lunch & Exhibits      
1:00 PM - 2:30 PMThe Mastermind Hub Track  Masterclass Information Coming Soon! [Premium Pass or VIP Pass Required] Susan WenogradSusan Wenograd, SmartSpark Marketing   
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM   Session Information Coming Soon! Lauren TeagueLauren Teague, FanWagn   
1:45 PM - 2:00 PMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break     
2:00 PM - 2:45 PMNext Level Strategy Track Creative TechnologyThe Curiosity Advantage: Protecting Human Value in the Age of AIJerri HelmsJerri Helms, HarperCollins   
2:30 PM - 3:00 PMNetworking  30-minute Masterclass Networking Break      
2:45 PM - 3:00 PMNetworking  15-minute Networking Break      
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM   Session Information Coming Soon! Purna VirjiPurna Virji, LinkedIn   
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM   Session Information Coming Soon! Stephanie RistowStephanie Ristow, Ristow Marketing   


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