RETHINK 2025 AGENDA
Rethink the Impossible
Rethink 2025 is where the future of experiential marketing comes to life. This premier event pushes the limits of innovation, featuring visionary keynotes, interactive workshops, and dynamic peer-driven discussions that fuel fresh ideas and inspire bold new approaches.
JULY 15TH | 6:00 PM – 8:00PM | WELCOME RECEPTION
Sponsored by ON Location
We’re kicking things off in style with an unforgettable evening at the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art. Sip, savor, and socialize as you explore world-renowned Impressionist galleries, enjoy curated cocktails and light bites, and connect with fellow attendees in a setting that’s as inspiring as the conversations you’ll have.
JULY 16TH | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | REGISTRATION & NETWORKING BREAKFAST
Kick off the day by connecting with fellow attendees over breakfast. Meet industry peers, exchange ideas, and set the stage for a day of forward-thinking discussions.
JULY 16TH | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | WELCOME & OPENING KEYNOTE
Speaker: Duncan Wardle, Former Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney
Embedding a Culture of Innovation & Creativity into Everyone’s DNA
So, how will we compete in the next decade? What skills will we need to survive in a decade of total disruption and rise in A.I.? Simple. Businesses that will win will be those that leverage the most impactful human traits that A.I. won’t be able to replicate (at least not for the foreseeable future): Creativity, Intuition, Curiosity, & Imagination.
As Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney for the last decade I learned that there is a huge gap in the market. CEOs everywhere would look to us – The World’s Most Creative Company – for guidance on how to create a culture of innovation and provide their organization with the tools needed to leverage their most important asset: their people.
But here’s the challenge: until now, no one has made innovation tangible. Many companies hire an Innovation consultancy or build an “Innovation Department,’ only to find that they have not truly driven cultural change and embedded innovation across the entire enterprise.
What if, instead, there was a Design Thinking Innovation Toolkit? One that everyone could use that makes creativity tangible, innovation easy, and the process enjoyable? That’s exactly what I have built leaning on my years of experience at Disney, and exactly what I’ll share with you as part of Embedding a Culture of Innovation into Everyone’s DNA presentation.
JULY 16TH | 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Choose from a variety of interactive, hands-on sessions designed to elevate your expertise.
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Speakers: Amanda Hoffmeister, Senior Director, EMEA Events, Fortinet and CaSaundra James, Program Manager Exhibits & Events, Intelsat
Forecasting the Future: Global Trends Shaping Experiential Marketing
What’s shaping the future of experiential marketing around the world? This session explores the trends, technologies, and audience behaviors redefining how brands create meaningful connections—drawing insights from North America, Europe, and other innovation hubs across the globe.
From evolving expectations around personalization, sustainability, and privacy to the rapid rise of immersive tech and purpose-driven experiences, we’ll examine how different regions are responding to change—and where they’re leading it. With real-world examples and bold predictions, this session offers a global lens on what’s next for experiential.
Whether you’re designing for a local market or a worldwide audience, you’ll leave inspired to rethink limitations, embrace new possibilities, and shape experiences that meet the moment—and move it forward.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
Speakers: Tristan Fitzgerald VP, Executive Creative Director, Impact XM and Mat Szwajkos Executive Creative Director, The Starter Agency (x-Amazon, x-Expedia)
From Lanyards to Lasting Impact: 10 Ways to Turn Events into Omnichannel Ecosystems
Today’s most impactful events aren’t measured by butts on seats — but by authentic, emotive connections with audiences across every channel and across multiple moments. In this session, Tristan and Mat will share agency and client perspectives on building seamless, momentum-driven experiences that extend well beyond show day. You’ll leave with a practical roadmap to help you use omnichannel strategies that not only attract attendees — but achieve your business goals and earn your team curtain calls.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Speaker: Kaitland Hunter - Executive Creative Director, Impact XM
Dream Boldly: AI Strategies for the Future
Feeling overwhelmed by all the AI buzz? You’re not alone. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tech expert to harness its potential.
This workshop is your guide to navigating the AI revolution with creativity and strategy at the forefront. We’re not just talking about tools – we’re exploring how to think bigger, innovate smarter, and build a workflow that feels purposeful, not overwhelming.
You’ll learn how to cut through the noise, spot opportunities worth pursuing, and use AI to unlock new ways to solve problems, collaborate, and adapt. It’s about working smarter, nurturing innovative ideas, and staying agile in a world that’s always evolving.
If you’re ready to replace AI anxiety with confidence, clarity, and a spark of creativity, this workshop is your catalyst.
JULY 16TH | 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM | ENGAGEMENT SHOWCASE & LUNCH
Discover the latest in engagement trends and technology and at our showcase. Then, connect and collaborate with your peers over lunch.
JULY 16TH | 12:45 PM - 1:55 PM | INDUSTRY PANEL DISCUSSION
Moderator: Ben Putman - Vice President, Strategy, Impact XM
Panelists:
Johnathon Moeser - Brand Experiences Technology Lead, Accenture
Jennifer Nagle - Vice President, External Affairs & Special Projects, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Paul Matson - Senior Director, Communications, Creative & Digital, Boeing
Kelley Zhou - Head of Marketing, Hisense
The Future of Experience: What AI Means for Engagement, Creativity, and ROI
AI is reshaping more than just marketing strategy—it’s transforming how people experience brands. In this forward-looking panel, leaders from marketing, strategy, and creative technology will explore how artificial intelligence is redefining experiential design, content creation, personalization, and measurement. From predictive audience modeling and generative environments to intelligent storytelling and real-time optimization, we’ll unpack how AI is enabling marketers to build more meaningful, measurable, and adaptive brand experiences—without losing the human connection that makes them impactful.
Panelists will share real-world examples across industries, discuss emerging tools and frameworks, and provide practical guidance for integrating AI into your experiential approach today.
JULY 16TH | 1:55 PM - 2:40 PM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Dive deeper into transformational strategies in these interactive sessions.
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Speaker: Lauren Zaner – Lead of Experiential Programs
Beyond the Badge: Crafting Human-Centered Attendee Experiences in a Data-Driven World
What if we took the lens of human > business when building an attendee experience?
In today’s competitive landscape, creating genuinely memorable attendee experiences is paramount. Lauren Zaner, Lead of Experiential at Google Cloud and long-time attendee-obsessed experiential marketer, will delve into the art and science of designing human-centered attendee journeys that are both seamless and highly optimized for impact. This session will explore key insights from diverse, experience-driven environments, applying their principles to event design to ensure effortless flow and intuitive navigation. We will unpack the psychological and sociological underpinnings of engagement, alongside the critical role of data in understanding attendee behaviors. This session will help participants discover how to leverage these varied learnings to transform generic programming into frictionless, optimized interactions, fostering richer connections and unlocking the full potential of their next event.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
Speakers: Mike Rumsey, Director, Digital Solutions and Compliance, Impact XM and Leah Cepko MSc, Director Strategy, Impact XM
The Power of Now: Activating Event Insights in Real Time
As technology accelerates and audience expectations evolve, event teams are now empowered to respond faster and think more fluidly than ever before. This session dives into the power of live event intelligence and how to use it to tailor experiences and make smart decisions while your event is still in motion.
We’ll explore key data types, collection methods and tech, and actionable case studies that show how teams have adapted programming, personalized engagements, and optimized resources on the fly based on real-time insights.
Gain the tools and mindset to turn real-time data into real-time action—crafting experiences that meet your audience in the moment.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Speakers: Tom Slater, Executive Creative Director, Impact XM and Ivan Brewster, Creative Director, Impact XM
More Than Meets the Eye: Multisensory Experiences That Stick
Feeling lost in a sea of screens and sameness? Standing out doesn’t have to feel impossible. Unlock your newest secret weapon: multisensory design.
This fast-paced, hands-on workshop goes beyond the visual, exploring how all five senses—taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight—can work together to create unforgettable brand experiences. By engaging the full spectrum of sensory elements, you’ll learn how to build deeper emotional connections and leave a lasting impact on your audience.
Through real-world examples and practical tools, we’ll show you how to bring these principles to life. It’s time to awaken the senses and discover a true competitive edge.
JULY 16TH | 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM | ENGAGEMENT SHOWCASE
Take a second opportunity to explore engagement innovations and tech solutions designed to elevate event experiences
JULY 16TH | 3:40 PM - 4:30 PM | KEYNOTE & CLOSING
Speaker: Julius Solaris, Founder of Boldpush and Global Event Industry Authority
Rethinking the Way We Do Events
The past four years brought more change than the event industry has ever seen. A generational shift, AI, and a 70% workforce refresh are some of the factors to consider when creating and executing experiences.
This session will give you a practical, data-backed roadmap to make your event program future-proof.
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