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# Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit announces agenda for Oct. 14 conference in D.C.
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mid-atlantic-marcom-summit-announces-agenda-for-oct-14-conference-in-d-c/
- Published: 2026-09-30T15:11:46.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-30T15:11:46.000Z
- Author: Capitol Communicator
- Tags: Insights, #wp-top-center-sponsored, #Import 2026-10-08 18:56

***Full-day program will examine*** 
***AI, communications, search, social media,*** 
***public affairs, B2B marketing and*** 
***the growing importance of trust***

**The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit has announced the agenda for its 2026 conference**, bringing together leading marketing, advertising, public relations, public affairs and media professionals on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Conference Center in Washington, D.C.

The full-day program will explore the forces reshaping the communications industry, including artificial intelligence, generative engine optimization, changing audience behavior, responsible AI, social media strategy, public policy advertising and the growing role of trust in driving meaningful action.

“The pace of change across marketing and communications has never been greater,” said **Paul Duning,** publisher of Capitol Communicator. “This year’s agenda is designed to move beyond the headlines and give attendees practical insights into how industry leaders are responding to AI, fragmented audiences, new discovery platforms and declining institutional trust.”

The Summit will open with “CMO Outlook: The Big Picture,” featuring **Sheila Blackwell** of ManTech, **Allison Moss** of Just Ice Tea, **Kim Bolt** of the Washington Spirit and **Tanya Nazarian** of Grafik. The panel will examine the priorities, challenges and opportunities shaping marketing leadership in 2027 and beyond.

**AJ Jones II**, executive vice president and chief strategic and corporate communications officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, will then participate in a fireside chat moderated by **Nicole Schuman**, managing editor of PRNEWS.

Morning breakout sessions will include:

- “Search & GEO: The Marketing Playbook for an AI-First World,” examining how artificial intelligence is changing brand discovery and traditional search.
- “Behind the Message: A Roundtable With Public Affairs Leaders,” featuring perspectives on policy, reputation, media relations and public trust.
- “Generation Next: Rethinking Audience Engagement to Build Brands,” exploring how organizations can connect with younger and increasingly purpose-driven audiences.
- “The Next Ad Tech Stack: Containers, Agents & AI Ads,” offering a practical look at emerging advertising technologies.

Additional morning sessions will address the changing communications environment in Washington, the role of brand movements in turning audiences into advocates and the outlook for social media in 2027.

The social media discussion will feature regional thought leaders and practitioners sharing case studies, emerging strategies and lessons about what is — and is not — working for brands across the rapidly changing social ecosystem.

Following lunch and networking on the library’s roof deck, the afternoon program will examine the shifting landscape of public policy advertising and present “A Communicator Playbook for Responsible AI,” a discussion about governance, ethics and the expanding responsibilities of communications professionals as AI adoption accelerates.

Other afternoon sessions will include:

- “B2B Innovation: Navigating the New Marketing Landscape,” focusing on AI, evolving buyer behavior, GEO, demand generation, customer engagement and the changing B2B funnel.
- “Byline vs. Bio: Navigating the Divide Between Creator Journalists and Influencers,” exploring sourcing, credibility, sponsorship disclosure, monetization and the legal and ethical issues that arise when journalism and influence overlap.
- “Turning Audience Intelligence Into Action in Modern Public Affairs Campaigns,” examining the shift from broad messaging to data-driven targeting and measurable outcomes.
- “AI Is Compressing the Buyer Journey,” addressing how artificial intelligence is changing B2B research and purchasing decisions.
- “Impressions to Impact: The Trust Imperative Behind Behavior Change Outcomes,” challenging conventional performance metrics and examining how behavioral science, trusted messengers, audience intelligence and strategic media can move people from awareness to belief and action.

The program will conclude with a cocktail reception from 4 to 5 p.m., providing attendees with an opportunity to continue conversations and connect with speakers, sponsors and communications professionals from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Registration and breakfast begin at 8 a.m., with programming starting at 9 a.m.

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit is the region’s largest annual gathering for professionals working in marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media. The event is co-produced by Capitol Communicator and Potomac Tech Wire.

For the complete agenda and registration information, visit [marcomsummit.co/2026agenda.](https://marcomsummit.co/2026agenda/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)