The annual conference of the American Advertising Federation’s Tenth District

Student Competition (NSAC) - April 8 - 10, 2026
Professional Conference - April 9 - 11, 2026

Professional Registration

Hotel Reservations

Doubletree Campbell Center

Reserve your room and learn more about the conference hotel:

Professional dates: 4/9-11, 2026m

Reserve Your Room

NSAC Schools please see instructions sent via email to reserve your room

Competition & Hotel Reservations

The NSAC competition will take place April 08, 2026 to April 10, 2026.

To register your team and reserve your room download and fill out the form then contact:

Ashly Mellor to reserve -

[email protected]

KEYNOTES

Friday Welcome Breakfast

TED WRIGHT

CEO OF FIZZ & AUTHOR

Followed by NSAC Champion Presentations

In 2015, Phil Kotler described Ted Wright as, “The Pioneer of modern Word of Mouth Marketing.” As the CEO of Fizz, Ted Wright has led one of the largest word of mouth marketing firms in the world since 2001. Operating in 13 time zones around the world, Fizz’s clients include Coca-Cola, LVMH, JetBlue, Audi, Intel, Quidel, and FIFA.

Friday Lunch

Next Wave Awards & Keynote

KEYNOTE

Emcee: Victoria Lara

Public Information Officer, TxDOT

Join us for AAF District 10's Next Wave Award ceremony recognizing outstanding advertising professionals under the age of 40.

Friday Afternoon Keynote

CHIP KIDD

BOOK COVER DESIGNER & AUTHOR

Chip Kidd is an American graphic designer, editor and author, best known for his book covers. As of 2024, he is the vice president and art director at Knopf and editor-at-large for graphic novels at Pantheon. He is the author of two novels and numerous non-fiction books on comics and graphic design, with a particular interest in DC's Batman series. Kidd is the recipient of four Eisner Awards, the 2014 AIGA Medal and the 2007 American National Design Award for communication design.

Friday Dinner Gala

D10 American Advertising Awards

GALA IS BACK!

Emcee: Susan Saurage-Altenloh

Former D10 Governor

The American Advertising Awards gala is back by popular demand! We're celebrating the best creative in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas!

Saturday Breakfast Keynote

STATE OF AAF

AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION

Steve Pacheco, CEO

Dawn Reeves, EVP Club Services

Saturday Lunch

Mosaic Awards & Keynote

Sonny Villareal, Keynote

Emcee: Victoria Lara

Public Information Officer, TxDOT

Join us as we honor diversity, equity, and inclusion in advertising!

AGENDA

Wednesday 4/8/26 - NSAC Only

- NSAC Registration Orientation & Competition

SMU Campus

Thursday 4/9/26 - NSAC & Professionals

- NSAC Competition- SMU: Hughes-Trigg Student Center

- Career Fair: SMU: Hughes-Trigg Student Center

- NSAC Awards Reception: DoubleTree Campbell Center- Main Ballroom

- Conference Check-in

- Conference Welcome Reception: 3Headed Monster

SMU Campus for NSAC, DoubleTree Campbell Center for Professional Check-In

Friday 4/10/25 - NSAC & Professionals

- Welcome Breakfast

- Breakout Sessions

- Lunch Keynote & Next Wave Awards

- Breakout Sessions

- Afternoon Keynote: Chip Kidd- Jurassic Park to Jim Carey, Book Cover Design and Telling the Story

- American Advertising Awards Gala

DoubleTree Campbell Center

Saturday 4/11/26 - Professionals

- Breakfast Keynote

- Breakout Sessions

- District Business Meeting

- Lunch Keynote & Mosaic Awards

- Breakout Sessions

- Governor's Champagne Toast

- Evening of Excellence Celebration: /Lerma

DoubleTree Campbell Center

SEE FULL AGENDA

DIVERSE
BREAKOUTS

CREATIVE

Sessions will be focused on design, copy and creating exciting content. We do it every day and continue to create better.

INNOVATIVE

Our world is constantly changing, these sessions will focus on how best to keep up with current changes and getting ready for future industry changes.

COMMUNITY

Community is important. We use advertising as a way of giving back, these sessions will focus on how to be inclusive and help in the community around you.