Recapping ADMERICA 2024 in Salt Lake City

Many may not realize our local advertising club is part of a national organization with a long history—it’s the oldest trade association in the advertising industry. It’s exciting to know that there are AAF’s all around the country doing similar exciting things like us all year round.

Before I go any further, let me introduce myself. My name is Sean Pritzkau, and I’m excited to serve as the incoming president of AAF Greater Rochester for 2024-2025. After attending ADMERICA in Salt Lake City, Utah, this July, I had the chance to deepen my understanding of the American Advertising Federation and its annual conference.

I joined fellow members from District 2 to celebrate last year’s achievements and reconnect with peers from across the country. While I wish we all could have been there to experience it, I’d love to share some key takeaways from the event that will add value to our club and the work we do.

Round Tables

One of my favorite parts of the conference was the open discussion roundtables. Sitting with club leadership from around the country, I enjoyed talking with new friends and colleagues about how their clubs are doing and their own unique challenges and perspectives. During the roundtable discussions, we covered topics like membership, appreciation, board retention, events, and more.

We talked about how other clubs bring in speakers from outside their markets for fresh perspectives. There was also a focus on hosting in-person meetings to drive engagement. Strengthening relationships with government officials came up, as did the potential for partnerships with other organizations. Since we’re already exploring hosting a joint event with AMA and PRSA, it was great to think about new possibilities. There was even talk of hosting meetups at fixed locations throughout the year, with ideas such as covering the first round of drinks to encourage more attendance.

Recognitions

Recognition was another big theme at ADMERICA. Many clubs go above and beyond to recognize their members. One club discussed launching an Innovation Award, similar to our Best of ROC, to honor standout contributions in their clubs. Other ideas included highlighting sponsors with a Sponsor of the Month feature and continuing to engage in-house agencies, celebrate student achievements, and offer scholarships to students.

Programming

Our programming conversations were full of exciting ideas. We explored hosting panels for freelancers, offering VIP tours of iconic local spots, and conducting surveys on our live events (something we’re already doing). Some clubs go as far as hosting an annual retreat to foster deeper engagement.

A Keynote on AI

There was a keynote on AI given by Shiv Singh. Singh delivered a thought-provoking talk titled “Preparing for the AI Era: What It Means for Humanity and Yourself.” He explored the implications of AI on both a societal and individual level, emphasizing the responsibilities we have as we move into this new era. Singh also highlighted the incredible leadership of Steve Pacheco, Helen Lin, Jack Bamberger, and Jacki Kelley, commending their work in guiding the organization through these transformative times. It was an inspiring session that underscored the importance of understanding AI’s impact and preparing for the future.

What’s Ahead

In summary, ADMERICA 2024 provided valuable insights on leadership, events, and programming, all of which will bring fresh ideas and energy to our local AAF chapter. I look forward to working with our board and community as we innovate and work towards these ideas and continue strengthening our club’s impact.

We’re excited about what’s ahead, including R/ADWEEK, a week-long series of events for the local advertising community, kicking off with The Spirit Showdown. We’ll also continue advancing our DEI initiatives, host the American Advertising Awards with entries and nomination forms opening soon (and early!), and keep delivering our regular events throughout the year.