Digital Summit Chicago 2026

Digital Summit Chicago is a two-day marathon of practical marketing insights and case studies, designed for professionals who want actionable tools rather than theoretical discussions. The conference attracts hundreds of specialists from across the U.S., bringing together experts from diverse areas of marketing.

Format & Scale

• Duration: 2 full days of immersive learning
• Parallel Tracks: customize your program according to your goals
• Mastermind Hub: intensive workshops for deep dives (available to Premium & VIP ticket holders)
• Exhibition Area: marketing solutions and services
• Networking Activities: happy hours, networking receptions, exclusive VIP events
• Session Recordings & Archives: access to materials from previous years

Key Topics for 2026

AI in Marketing

• Leveraging AI effectively without losing audience trust
• “Human-first” content vs. mechanical generation

Brand Trust

• Employee advocacy, crisis communications, B2B engagement

Brand Visibility in the New Landscape

• SEO, social media, video platforms, AI search engines
• How users discover brands and what drives channel performance

Customer Experience & Audience Insights

• New approaches to personas and segmentation
• Reimagining traditional marketing tools

Speakers & Experts

Practitioners solving real-world marketing challenges will take the stage, including:

• Zaria Parvez (DoorDash): social media and vibrant content creation
• Jerry Helms (HarperCollins): digital marketing in publishing
• Purna Virji (LinkedIn): content strategy and platform algorithms
• Sahira Johnson (Nasdaq): SEO and B2B content strategy

Additional experts: Derek Hubbard (Brand Storytelling), Jessica Best (Email Marketing), Tyler Farnsworth (Human Stories in the AI Era), Ayat Shukairy (New Audience Segmentation), Susan Venograd (Mastermind Hub), Michael Hoffman (AI-powered SEO & Video)

Program Highlights

Day 1 — April 7

• 9:15 — Keynote by Zaria Parvez (DoorDash)
• 10:30 — Workshop “Strategy Starting with Story” (Mastermind Hub)
• 11:30 — Track: Brand Trust & Safety
• 12:15 — Lunch & Networking
• Afternoon — sessions on crisis communications, email marketing, and SEO
• 17:00 — Networking Reception
• 18:30 — VIP Reception

Day 2 — April 8

• 9:00 — Morning Keynote
• 10:15 — Visibility Strategy: Search, Social, AI
• 11:15 — “Personas Are Dead” — a new approach to audience insights
• Afternoon — sessions on storytelling, B2B marketing, and content strategy
• Closing — presentations from LinkedIn and AI & SEO experts

Mastermind Hub

• Deep-dive workshops on storytelling and content strategy
• 1.5 hours of hands-on practice instead of the standard session length
• Real-time feedback, case studies, and expert guidance
• Available exclusively for Premium & VIP ticket holders

Who Should Attend

• Marketing leaders seeking a concentrated industry update
• Solo marketers wanting to break out of routine and see the bigger picture
• SEO, SMM, and content marketing specialists exploring new approaches and trends
• Professionals valuing live interaction and practical case studies

Note: Not recommended for beginners without basic marketing experience — discussions assume industry knowledge