Professional Agenda

© 2025 by Starfish Ad Age. 

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Conference Check-In for Professionals | DoubleTree Campbell Center

12:00PM - 6:00PM

D10 Executive Committee Meeting | Stars Board Room

3:30PM - 5:00PM

Professional Welcome Reception | 3Headed Monster

4040 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 900, Dallas, TX 75204

5:00PM - 7:00PM

NSAC Awards Ceremony | DoubleTree Grand Ballroom

9:15 AWARDS PRESENTATION

Friday, April 10, 2026

Conference Check-In for Professionals | DoubleTree Campbell Center

7:30AM - 4:00PM

Faculty Breakfast | Stars Boardroom

7:30AM - 8:30AM

Welcome Breakfast | DoubleTree Grand Ballroom
Featuring keynote Ted Wright & NSAC winning presentations.

Ted Wright is the CEO of Fizz and the pioneer of modern word-of-mouth marketing. He will share how ideas actually spread, and why the best marketing is about sparking conversation

8:30AM - 11:00AM

Breakout Sessions | DoubleTree Campbell Center

Breakout Option A

Presented by Ted Wright: Monterrey Room

Breakout Option B

Presented by Michael Tuggle & Vinny Minchillo Breakout: Sky Ballroom

11:00AM - 11:50AM

Next Wave Awards Luncheon | DoubleTree Grand Ballroom

Keynote Zac Pritchett, CDO at TRG. Join Zac as he explores why the next wave of opportunity in advertising is happening right here and right now. In mid-America, in independent agencies, and in a smarter, more accountable era of marketing. At this luncheon, we'll honor 10 young professionals who are making strides across our district and beyond.

12:00PM - 1:50PM

Breakout Sessions & Headshots | DoubleTree Campbell Center

No Team, No Budget, No Problem: AI for Scrappy Marketers

Presented By Austin Sandy: Monterrey Room

Professional Headshots

Presented By: Jason David Page Photography

2:00PM - 2:50PM

Keynote Address with Chip Kidd | DoubleTree Grand Ballroom

Chip Kidd is an American graphic designer, editor and author, best known for his book covers. 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.

3:00PM - 4:30PM

District 10 Foundation Meeting | DoubleTree Campbell Center

4:45PM - 5:45PM

American Advertising Awards | DoubleTree Campbell Center

Susan Saurage-Altenloh returns to the D10 stage to emcee the gala! For more than 30 years, Fortune 500 companies have turned to Dr. Susan Saurage-Altenloh for answers about consumer and business-to-business marketing. Join Susan as we bring the American Advertising Awards gala back to District 10 for the first time in over a decade.

6:00PM - 9:00PM

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Conference Check-In for Professionals | DoubleTree Campbell Center

7:30AM - 4:00PM

Breakout Session: Yoga | Monterrey

7:00AM - 8:00AM

Past Governor's Breakfast | Stars Boardroom

7:30AM - 8:30AM

Breakfast Keynote & State of AAF | DoubleTree Grand Ballroom

AAF's CEO Steve Pacheco and EVP Dawn Reeves share a welcome address and the State of AAF. Hear the latest and greatest from our industry and the federation.

8:30AM - 10:00AM

Breakout Session | DoubleTree Campbell Center

Leadership & Club Development

AAF Council of Governors Panel: Dawn Reeves, Larry Brantley, and Stephanie Price guide industry leaders with tips & tricks to climb the ladder with ease. D10 Governor Austin Sandy will moderate the panel.

10:00AM - 11:15AM

Mental Health Breakout | Skyline Ballroom

Presented by Melissa Marks, Chief Wellness Officer for 3Headed Monster. Learn some tips for balancing your life while managing a busy work schedule.

11:15AM - 12:00PM

Mosaic Awards & Keynote Address | DoubleTree Grand Ballroom

Keynote Sonny Villareal, VP of Brand Leadership at Lopez Negrete Communications. Sonny’s primary objective is to guide the clients’ businesses forward through collaborative and innovative marketing solutions. He will share his perspective on our current market and opportunities for the future. At this luncheon, we'll present 20 Mosaic Awards, honoring the most inclusive and diverse advertising across our four states.

12:00PM - 2:00PM

Breakout Session: Explore or Relax

2:15PM - 3:00PM

District 10 Business Meeting | DoubleTree Grand Ballroom

2nd Lt. Governor Election & Budget Approval

All attendees are welcome to attend and observe. Club Presidents are required to attend and will represent their AAF chapter in the elections.

3:15PM - 4:15PM

Governor's Toast | Lerma/

5:30PM - 6:00PM

Evening of Excellence | Lerma/ | Creative Cocktail Attire

409 N Houston Street, #700, Dallas, TX 75202

6:00PM - 10:00PM