LA26: The 2026 AdWest Advertising Conference
About this Event
Converge. Challenge. Build What's Next.
LA26 is an advertising conference made for what's moving the industry where executives, practitioners, academics, and students will come together in one room.
WHAT IS ADWEST?
AdWest is the annual conference of the AAF Western Region, bringing together advertising and marketing professionals, agency leaders, brand-side marketers, students, and AAF club officers from across 12 Western states.
Each year, AdWest is hosted in a different Western city. The 2026 edition, AdWest LA26, brings the conference home to Los Angeles for a special edition timed to one of the most significant moments in the city's history: the countdown to the 2028 Olympic Games.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THIS YEAR'S ADWEST
The LA26 edition of AdWest runs Wednesday, September 23 through Saturday, September 26, 2026. The conference spans four distinct days, each with a different purpose and audience focus.
Looking to stay the night? Get preferred rates at our host hotel, the Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica here!
Day 1 - Wednesday, September 23: Kick off AdWest: LA26 with AAF club officers and the Los Angeles community, presented by Creative Co and hosted at their rooftop overlooking the coast.
Not attending the full conference but want to join us for the mixer? Individual tickets are available here! Conference attendees get access for free.
Day 2 - Thursday, September 24: Start the conference at our host hotel, Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica, for AAF club leadership development sessions, district business meetings, and the Best of the West Award Show in the evening.
Day 3 - Friday, September 25: Join us at Team One's Playa Vista office for full day of keynotes, panels, and networking designed for senior marketing and advertising professionals. This is the flagship programming day of AdWest: LA26, with topics spanning Sports Marketing, Creativity, and Emerging Technology.
Day 4 - Saturday, September 26: Attendees choose their own LA adventure: Venice Beach and the boardwalk, culture and Downtown Los Angeles, or a hike to the Hollywood sign.
Wed, Sept. 23
?: 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Welcome Reception & Mixer
Info: Join us at Creative Co's Santa Monica office to kick off AdWest: LA26 with club officers and the AAF Los Angeles community. Not attending the full conference but want to join us for the mixer? Individual tickets available at: https://luma.com/55sqb170
Thur, Sept. 24
?: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast
Info: Check in, grab your badge, and connect with fellow AAF club officers.
?: 09:00 AM - 09:10 AM
Welcome to AdWest: LA26 — Day 1
Host: Chris Degenaars
Info: Conference Co-Chairs, Mandi Witkower and Chris Degenaars open AdWest: LA26 and set the tone for the coming 2 days.
?: 09:10 AM - 10:00 AM
The Legacy We Leave: Leadership, Community & Advertising
Info: Hear from Advertising Hall of Fame and Advertising Hall of Achievement inductees about how they think about the legacy they're leaving on this one-of-a-kind panel!
?: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Starting an AAF Collegiate Chapter: Building Your Team & Competing in NSAC
Host: Matador Ad Club (California State University Northridg)
?: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
From Entries to Excitement: Building an Awards Program That Drives Participati
Host: Kate Kearns, Executive Director of AdFed Minnesota
?: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch Keynote: Creativity in Hollywood with The Movie Poster Guy
?: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Networking Break & District Meetings
Advertising in Action - How to Advocate for the Policies That Impact Our Indus
Host: Anne Kierig, VP of Government Affairs for AAF National
?: 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM
AAF Club Leadership - Idea Exchange Round Tables
Info: Topics include: Fundraising, Best of the West Awards, Event Planning, Government Affairs, National Student Advertising Competition, Ad 2, Ask Me Anything
?: 02:45 PM - 03:00 PM
Networking Break
?: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
The New Rules of Influence
?: 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Western Region Business Meeting & District Goal Sharing
?: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Free Time
Info: Get ready for the Best of the West Media Awards Reception!
?: 06:30 PM - 09:00 PM
Best of the West Media Awards Reception
Info: Not attending the full conference by looking for tickets to celebrate and network? Get tickets just to the reception!
Fri, Sept. 25
?: 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast p.b. D/Cipher
Info: Check in, grab your badge, and connect with fellow creative, brand, and advertising leaders.
?: 10:00 AM - 10:10 AM
Welcome to AdWest: LA26 — Day 2
Host: Mandi Witkower
Info: Conference Co-Chairs, Mandi Witkower and Chris Degenaars open AdWest: LA26 and set the tone for the following sessions.
?: 10:10 AM - 11:00 AM
Branding LA as a Sports Epicenter on the Global Stage
Host: Jason Krutzsch, SVP Marketing at LA Sports Commission
?: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
A Fire Side Chat on the Future of Social Commerce & Creators
Host: Jeremy Lowenstein, CMO at Milani Cosmetics
?: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
When Brands Collide: Forging Partnerships in a Celebrity Ecosystem
Host: Zach Glass, SVP of Marketing at 11:11 Media
?: 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM
Lunch Break
?: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
Marketing LA: The City, The Culture & The Crowd
Host: Zoé Zeigler, Head of Marketing for LA Metro
?: 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM
Fandom Isn't Bought, It's Built.
Host: Henry Ong, Sr. Director of Global Marketing at Universal
?: 03:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Networking Break
?: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
She's Got Game: The Business Case for Women's Sports Marketing
?: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing Keynote with Team One CEO, Julie MIchael
Host: Julie MIchael, CEO of Team One
?: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Closing Cocktail Reception p.b. MACH27
Where is it happening?
USD 81.88 to USD 535.38
