Hundreds of communicators attend Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit ADWKDC

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit brought together hundreds of marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media professionals on Oct. 14 at the MLK Library Conference Center in D.C. for a day of discussions, presentations and networking.

Co-produced by Capitol Communicator and Potomac Tech Wire, the summit also hosted ADWKDC, featuring an advertising track presented by the American Advertising Federation’s Washington chapter.

The summit opened with a CMO outlook panel featuring (left to right in photo) Allison Moss of Just Ice Tea, Kim Bolt of the Washington Spirit and Sheila Blackwell of MANTECH. A fireside conversation followed with AJ Jones II, executive vice president and chief strategic and corporate communications officer at Monumental Sports and Entertainment, and PRNEWS Managing Editor Nicole Schuman.

(Cary Hatch, one of the speakers, and Paul Duning, one of the event’s producers. Hatch, online, said the event is “Always insightful and inspiring.” )

Other sessions addressed several major themes:

• AI and search visibility: How traditional search engine optimization and generative engine optimization are evolving, what helps brands appear in AI-generated answers and how marketers can measure visibility across search platforms.
• Responsible AI and practical automation: How communications teams can establish AI governance, protect trust and manage risk. A live demonstration will show an AI agent gathering information, drafting work and identifying decisions that require human judgment.
• Public affairs and policy communications: Washington’s changing communications environment, shifts in public policy advertising and the use of audience intelligence to guide targeted campaigns.
• Brand building and audience engagement: Strategies for connecting with emerging audiences, developing brand advocates and using trust to support behavior change.
• Social media, journalism and creators: Social platform strategies, practitioner case studies and the distinctions between creator journalists and influencers.
• B2B marketing and advertising technology: Changing buyer behavior, demand generation, AI’s influence on purchasing decisions and developments reshaping advertising technology.
• Trust and behavior change: How behavioral science, audience insights, trusted messengers and strategic media can move people from awareness to action. Panelists will share case studies and practical approaches to building trust and measuring meaningful outcomes in public health, safety and community campaigns.

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit is an annual gathering of marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media professionals. It combines industry discussions and practical presentations with opportunities to connect with peers and business leaders.

PHOTOS; Top two photos by James Minichello Photography