Let this interactive workshop introduce you to the essential concepts, tools and strategic applications of artificial intelligence. Designed for digital and direct marketing decision-makers, this exclusive workshop demystifies how AI works, explores how it is transforming marketing operations, and provides a framework for responsible adoption. Participants will gain clarity on the key technologies behind AI, see real-world use cases across content, personalization, and analytics, and leave with practical insights on how to position their organizations for success in an AI-driven future. 

Part I- Foundations of AI for Marketers

• Understanding the fundamentals: artificial intelligence, machine learning and generative AI 
• Uncover how AI systems are trained and the role of data in model development
• Dissect leading AI tools and platforms used in marketing
• Examine the marketer’s new toolkit: predictive, generative, and automation technologies
• Identify the key terminology and concepts that every executive should know

Part II- Applications of AI in Marketing

• Content and creative development: copywriting, design, and campaign ideation 
• Personalization and targeting: how machine learning enables segmentation and predictive recommendations
• Marketing automation: integrating AI in CRM systems, chatbots, and lead nurturing
• Analytics and insights: using AI for forecasting, performance optimization, and trend detection
• Case examples of brands effectively applying AI in marketing strategy

Part III- Strategic Integration and Ethical Considerations

• Framework for identifying and prioritizing AI opportunities in marketing
• Building an AI-ready organization
• Balancing human creativity with AI-driven efficiency
• Data privacy, ethics, and responsible use of AI in customer engagement
• Emerging trends shaping the future of AI in marketing

Major legal developments, including the Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down tariffs imposed under IEEPA, are creating new uncertainty and potential opportunities across the retail ecosystem. Retailers, marketers, catalog producers, and supply chain partners are all asking the same questions: What does this mean for our business and should we be taking action now? In this interactive, “Ask Me Anything” style discussion, join expert trade attorneys as they break down what is happening and answer your most pressing tariff-related questions. Attendees can submit questions anonymously in real time and participate in a candid discussion about refund claims, lawsuits, and emerging risks. Come ready with your questions and leave with clearer guidance on the steps your company may want to consider next.

In today’s competitive landscape, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the key to capturing attention and driving results across both digital and direct mail channels. Designed for those marketing professionals ready to go deeper, listen and learn as session leaders provide actionable insights for refining personalization strategies to deliver more relevant, impactful and profitable campaigns. Attendees will learn how to harness the right data, apply advanced tactics and measure success with confidence, featuring possible discussion on: 

• How to identify, collect and organize the most valuable data for smarter segmentation and targeting
• Cutting-edge personalization tactics 
• Methods to measure and optimize personalization performance to maximize ROI at integrate seamlessly across digital and direct mail campaigns
• Strategies to avoid common pitfalls and ensure personalization efforts scale effectively and compliantly

Derek Jackman
Head of Performance and Growth Marketing
PERIGOLD

 

Erin Bonsang

Vice President, Media & CRM
LOVESAC

 

MODERATOR

Linnea Wolken 

Senior Director, Global Product Marketing
RICOH GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS

In an industry defined by constant evolution, professionals are expected to adapt quickly, manage uncertainty and continue delivering high-level performance. Yet rapid change can often lead to frustration, burnout, reduced motivation and mental fatigue. Drawing on his experience as Associate In-House Counsel, former Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx County District Attorney's Office, where he served in the Special Victims Division and Domestic Violence Bureau, Jonathan Z. Cohen will explore how professionals can strengthen their mental fitness to navigate these pressures more effectively. Featuring practical discussion on resilience, mindset, and well-being, Jonathan will share tools to help attendees reframe challenges, maintain focus and build the mental toughness needed to perform at their best- even in times of significant transformation.

Idea Incubators

These interactive sessions begin with a 15-20 minute expert-led conversation exploring real world strategies and emerging challenges in today’s direct mail and digital marketing landscape. From there, the session shifts into a dynamic, participant-driven experience. Facilitators may guide the audience through a variety of interactive formats, ranging from open discussion and live Q&A to scenario-based exercises, live polling and collaborative worksheets.

Rather than a single set structure, each session is designed to encourage active participation, idea sharing and peer learning in ways that best fit the topic and audience. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute perspectives, react to real-time insights and engage directly with both facilitators and fellow participants- creating a more flexible, engaging environment for practical takeaways and fresh thinking.

In a world of overflowing inboxes and constant digital noise, direct mail continues to hold unique power- but standing out in 2026 requires more creativity, strategy and innovation than ever before. During the first 15 minutes of this presentation, listen and learn as industry experts unpack the hottest trends and toughest challenges shaping the future of direct mail, from  data-driven design and sensory engagement to sustainability and production innovation. Then, you’ll put those insights into action through hands-on break-out discussions that challenge you to think critically and creatively about what truly makes mail memorable today, with possible group exploration into: 

• Analyzing real-world campaigns to identify the elements that drive response, build trust, and create emotional impact
• Brainstorming design and messaging approaches tailored to different audiences and marketing goals
• Collaborating with peers to solve common challenges- from integrating digital and print touchpoints to balancing creativity with cost
• Sketching or mapping out a “mail piece of the future” that applies session insights to a realistic business scenario 

Brent Niemuth

President & Partner

J.Schmid

Brittany Calderone

Print Production Specialist 

Wayfair 

As marketing becomes more complex and customer journeys more fragmented, return on ad spend (ROAS) alone no longer tells the full story. In this forward-looking session, industry leaders will explore how brands are shifting beyond surface- level metrics toward more meaningful measures of success- from customer lifetime value and incrementality to retention, brand equity, and long-term profitability. After a 15 minute expert conversation framing the new measurement landscape, you’ll dive into collaborative breakout discussions to apply these ideas to real-world scenarios and rethink how you define marketing impact, including a look at: 

• Evaluating sample campaign data to identify the deeper metrics that matter most for different business goals
• Debating trade-off and priorities between short-term performance indicators and long-term value metrics
• Collaboratively building a new measurement framework that integrates CLV, incrementality, and brand health into decision-making
• Outlining practical next steps for evolving your organizations’ reporting and KPIs beyond ROAS
  

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept- it is reshaping how direct and digital marketers connect with customers, optimize campaigns, and drive profitability right now. In this session, industry experts will share how AI is being leveraged across the marketing ecosystem today, from predictive targeting and creative generation to automation and personalization at scale. After a 15 minute overview of the most impact use cases and emerging opportunities, you’ll collaborate with peers in small group discussions to explore how AI can supercharge your own marketing strategies, featuring possible group discussion on: 

• Mapping out potential AI use cases for your business across campaign planning, creative, and customer experience
• Evaluating real-world examples of AI in direct and digital marketing and what made them successful 
• Brainstorming ways to integrate AI tools into existing workflows to increase efficiency and ROI
• Identifying next steps and quick wins to begin (or expand) your organization’s use of AI in practical, impactful ways 

 

 

Betty Herbst

Former Director, Print Production

HARRY & DAVID

 

Stephanie Stopka

Director of Global Marketplace Strategy

Design Toscano

Reserved for Redpoint Global 

• Topic 1: Savvy Strategies for Maximizing your Direct and Digital Marketing Spend
  
  
  
  Tammy Senft
  Treasurer, NEMOA, Former Director of Customer Optimization, Orvis
  Marketing Strategy Consultant  
   
• Topic 2: What Keeps you Up at Night? Identifying and Navigating Today’s Leading Challenges
• Topic 3: Incrementality in Action: What It Takes for Digital and Print to Win Together
  
  
  
  Stephanie Taylor
  SVP, Acquisition 
  Belardi Wong 
• Topic 4: Creative Synergy: Designing Campaigns That Work for Mailboxes and Inboxes 
• Topic 5: Budget Shifts and Media Mix: Where is Your Spend Moving in 2026?
  
                    
  
  Brian Rainey                        Paula Jeske
  CEO                                   Vice President, Audience Development 
  PATH2RESPONSE           PATH2RESPONSE
   
• Topic 6: Reactivating Lapsed Customers- Digital Nudges and Direct Mail Wins

• Topic 7: From Campaign to Keepsake: Creating Mail That’s Too Good to Toss
  

         

• Topic 8: Building a Creative Archive: Learning from Past Campaigns to Inspire the Next
  
  
  
  Emily Treske
  Head of Marketing, Finance, HR and Business Development 
  The Vermont Country Store
• Topic 9: Privacy Priorities 2026: What Marketers Need to Know 

         

• Topic 10: Catalogs for Gen Z? Rethinking the Audience for Print Engagement 

In an era where digitally native brands command attention, heritage brands may be underestimating their greatest strengths. During this exclusive keynote, Andy Petricoff, Senior Vice President at Wamsutta, challenges conventional thinking and explores why heritage brands are uniquely positioned to reclaim leadership in today’s crowded retail landscape- by unlocking the power of what they already own. Prepare to listen and learn as he explores: 

• Authenticity and Credibility that is grounded in product knowledge and expertise.
• Listening to the consumer 
  • Quality, Premium and Trust 
• Learning how to compete for attention alongside digitally native brands 
• Thoughtful Growth
  • Disciplined, grounding principles to maximize Wamsutta’s brand equity
  • Long-term perspective
  • Short-term urgency
  • Build profitably

Keynote Speaker 

Idea Incubator

These interactive sessions begin with a 15-20 minute expert-led conversation exploring real world strategies and emerging challenges in today’s direct mail and digital marketing landscape. From there, the session shifts into a dynamic, participant-driven experience. Facilitators may guide the audience through a variety of interactive formats, ranging from open discussion and live Q&A to scenario-based exercises, live polling and collaborative worksheets.

Rather than a single set structure, each session is designed to encourage active participation, idea sharing and peer learning in ways that best fit the topic and audience. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute perspectives, react to real-time insights and engage directly with both facilitators and fellow participants- creating a more flexible, engaging environment for practical takeaways and fresh thinking.

The modern marketer's challenge is no longer just personalization—it's orchestration. Data silos fragment the customer experience, leading to wasted spend and confusing journeys. This strategic session, featuring leaders from top e-tail brands, reveals how they are transforming their marketing stack using the Customer Data Platform (CDP). Learn how a unified data foundation becomes the launchpad for:

• Seamless Cross-Channel Strategies
• Intelligent Spend Reallocation 
• Real-Time Campaign Optimization 

Discover how to move from reactive marketing to proactive, coordinated customer journeys that drive significant e-commerce growth and build lasting loyalty.

As tariffs take hold, postal requirements shift, privacy laws evolve, and political pressures reshape the landscape for marketers, the decisions made in Washington, and beyond, directly impact on your business in endless ways. During this essential presentation, leaders from the American Commerce Marketing Association (ACMA) will cut through the noise to deliver a high-level briefing on the policies and hot-button issues shaping the future of print and digital marketing. You’ll hear what’s on the legislative horizon, what’s at stake for our industry, and how ACMA is advocating to protect and advance the interests of businesses like yours. With discussion on postal discounts, the importance of acting as a group, how to get involved and how to take action locally. If you want to stay ahead of the forces that will redefine your strategies and your bottom line, this is a session you can’t afford to miss.

In a marketplace defined by rapid change and shifting expectations, understanding why buyers make decisions is just as important as knowing what they buy. In this special spotlight address, a leading behavioral scientist will unpack the latest data and insights into consumer psychology- revealing how emotion, bias, trust and context shape purchasing behavior across channels. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the forces influencing today’s shoppers and leave with actionable takeaways to craft messaging, design campaigns, and build experiences that truly resonate. This is your opportunity to step back from tactics and see the bigger picture and what drives decisions in 2026 and beyond.