The only gathering of experiential agency executives focused on growth strategies, client retention, driving innovation and creating business value.

Exclusively Produced For: Senior strategic event agency executives (director and higher), business analysts, private equity companies, diversity officers, benefits supervisors and banking/lending partners and more. 

NOVEMBER 2, 2023
CITY WINERY, NEW YORK CITY

Authors, Clients, Agency Leaders—A Speaking Faculty of Experts from Inside and Outside the Industry

  • Caroline Absher

    Head of Event Marketing,
    Reddit
  • Sara Ahmadi

    VP-Events & Brand Experience,
    Paramount
  • David Avrin

    Author, “Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back)”
  • Fiona Bruder

    President,
    George P Johnson
  • Glenda Brungardt

    Retired Tradeshow/Event Manager,
    HP
  • Michelle Collins

    President,
    A Non-Agency
  • Christina Crowley

    VP-Human Resources,
    Sparks
  • Lowell Fox

    Head of US Operations,
    Spare-it
  • Mike Gamble

    CEO,
    SearchWide Global
  • Charles Hunter

    Director, Experiential Marketing,
    Nutrabolt
  • Michael Kellerman

    Partner-People & Culture,
    Imagination
  • Justin Lefkovitch

    CEO,
    Mirrored Media
  • Melinda Lindland

    EVP, Head of Growth,
    Jack Morton
  • Caryn Mambro

    Chief Creative Officer,
    Opus
  • Matt McCoubrey

    VP/Partner,
    Salt XC
  • Kendall McElliott

    Director of Global Events,
    Microsoft
  • Erica Orange

    EVP/Chief Operating Officer,
    The Future Hunters
  • Jes Petion

    Director of Human Resources,
    Soho Experiential
  • Paul Salinger

    Board Member,
    Society for Sustainable Events
  • Janet Smith

    VP,
    Octagon
  • Jeff Yang

    VP-Technology & Innovation,
    On Board Experiential

2023 Agenda

An action-packed day of executive-level conversations and expert insights focused on finding solutions to your most urgent business challenges.

  1. 8:00 am

    REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST

    Welcome experience sponsored by:
    Breakfast sponsored by:
  2. 8:30 am

    EXCLUSIVE DATA ON TRACKING EVENT VALUE

    Kick off the day with fresh data points you can put to use right away in your 2024 pitches and RFPs. In our second annual Event Agency Business Outlook—created exclusively for Agency Forum attendees—you’ll get the latest projections on where agency investments are being made, how your margins will look in 2024, which industry sectors are still rebounding and, new this year, statistics you can use to showcase the measurable impacts of experiential to new and existing clients alike. All attendees—and only attendees—go home with the full report.     

  3. 8:45 am

    KEYNOTE: HOW NEW CLIENT EXPECTATIONS ARE CHANGING AGENCY OFFERINGS

    Where, when and how clients buy from agencies has changed dramatically in recent years. In this revealing presentation, customer experience expert and bestselling author David Avrin will share new research documenting a profound shift in client preferences and expectations—and the impact it will have on your agency business. 

    • David Avrin

      David Avrin

      Author, “Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back)”
  4. 9:35 am

    THE IMPACT OF AI ON THE EVENT AGENCY MODEL

    Artificial Intelligence will change the world and, of course, your event agency. We’ll start with a macro-overview on how AI is poised to shake up business strategies, and then dive into AI’s impact on the creative work triangle (speed, quality, cost), RFP responses, rate cards and tools. Discuss all the ways AI could impact your business so you’ll be ready when it does.

    • Erica Orange

      Erica Orange

      EVP/Chief Operating Officer,
      The Future Hunters
    • Matt McCoubrey

      Matt McCoubrey

      VP/Partner,
      Salt XC
    • Caryn Mambro

      Caryn Mambro

      Chief Creative Officer,
      Opus
    • Jeff Yang

      Jeff Yang

      VP-Technology & Innovation,
      On Board Experiential
  5. 10:30 am

    NETWORKING MIXER

    Agency Forum attendees always rave about the networking and how productive it is to talk shop with others who do what you do. This year, we’ve built in more opportunities to meet new people, reconnect with old friends and get quality time at the peer-to-peer function created just for agency leaders.

    Sponsored by: 

    Ticketsauce
  6. 11:00 am

    EVENT AGENCY GROWTH: BETS FOR 2024

    A power panel on agency growth—where it’s coming from, what you need to do to harness it, and what resources you’ll need to tap into it. Plus, we’ll invite you to help us discuss the future of experiential marketing agency offerings, from blending digital and physical, to building client relationships through strategic partnerships, and how agencies need to shape-shift to drive growth. 

    • Fiona Bruder

      Fiona Bruder

      President,
      George P Johnson
    • Justin Lefkovitch

      Justin Lefkovitch

      CEO,
      Mirrored Media
    • Janet Smith

      Janet Smith

      VP,
      Octagon
    • Michelle Collins

      Michelle Collins

      President,
      A Non-Agency
    • Melinda Lindland

      Melinda Lindland

      EVP, Head of Growth,
      Jack Morton
  7. 12:00 pm

    FIRESIDE CHAT: CREATING THE SUSTAINABLE EVENT SUPPLY CHAIN

    Sustainability is quickly moving from an RFP question to a client requirement. But creating sustainable events starts with the agency, from creating an internal sustainability team and curating local vendors to having a real plan that does more than deliver lip service. Hear the latest strategies for growing your sustainability practice, and debunk the mindset that green initiatives are always more expensive.

    Sponsored by: 

    Moss
    • Paul Salinger

      Paul Salinger

      Board Member,
      Society for Sustainable Events
    • Lowell Fox

      Lowell Fox

      Head of US Operations,
      Spare-it
    • Glenda Brungardt

      Glenda Brungardt

      Retired Tradeshow/Event Manager,
      HP
  8. 12:30 pm

    NETWORKING LUNCH MIXER

    Take in the stunning views of the Hudson River and Little Island while you enjoy a networking lunch with friends and peers. Engage in fun, structured networking activities that will have you workshopping common pain points with other experts, or grab a drink and let the conversation flow.  

    Sponsored by:

    IPME
  9. 1:30 pm

    YOUR CLIENTS LIVE: THE CHANGING CLIENT+AGENCY RELATIONSHIP

    Go inside the hearts and minds of your clients as we discuss—with them and you—growing long-term client+agency relationships. Hear about budget, timeline and procurement challenges, the unique pressures they’re experiencing, and how their approach to events has changed and evolved. Get candid insights that you can use to build and sustain vibrant business relationships. 

    • Kendall McElliott

      Kendall McElliott

      Director of Global Events,
      Microsoft
    • Caroline Absher

      Caroline Absher

      Head of Event Marketing,
      Reddit
    • Sara Ahmadi

      Sara Ahmadi

      VP-Events & Brand Experience,
      Paramount
    • Charles Hunter

      Charles Hunter

      Director, Experiential Marketing,
      Nutrabolt
  10. 2:35 pm

    PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE: POLICIES, COMP, CULTURE & DEI

    The past few years have had a ripple effect on event agencies, from loss of legacy knowledge, to resetting employee expectations and recruiting the right people for future growth. Our panel of people officers will discuss the state of the workplace—from comp plans, to the state of work-from-home, to attracting and retaining talent, to building and maintaining company culture. 

    • Christina Crowley

      Christina Crowley

      VP-Human Resources,
      Sparks
    • Michael Kellerman

      Michael Kellerman

      Partner-People & Culture,
      Imagination
    • Mike Gamble

      Mike Gamble

      CEO,
      SearchWide Global
    • Jes Petion

      Jes Petion

      Director of Human Resources,
      Soho Experiential
  11. 3:30 pm

    PEER-TO-PEER IDEA EXCHANGE

    Roll up your sleeves with a guided peer-to-peer discussion on the industry’s hottest topics. Gather around your table. Or hop up and join a new one. Engage with our expert moderators who’ll be circulating around the room. This is your chance to ask the tough questions that are keeping you up at night, and hear how your peers are navigating similar issues.

  12. 4:00 pm

    HAPPY HOUR

    Cap off the day with a killer view and a cocktail as you mix and mingle with your agency counterparts from across the industry.  

    Sponsored by: 

    Brookfield Properties

VENUE & PRICING

City Winery
Pier 57 at Hudson River Park

Just steps away from the Highline, Little Island, the Meatpacking District and the Whitney Museum, City Winery is right in the heart of one of New York City’s most vibrant, creative and walkable neighborhoods and features stunning views of the Hudson River.

Price $1,495 per attendee.

To register, simply request your invitation below.

SPONSORS

Moss, Inc.
IPME
Brookfield Properties
DELVINHAIR Productions Inc.
Highmark Outdoor
Ticketsauce
Encore Nationwide
GoCharge
A very limited number of sponsors are invited to join us as we convene the industry’s top event agency executives at the conference that is all about them.
Contact Jon McLoughlin [email protected] for more details.