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# Top comms pros gathered at the 15th annual Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/top-comms-pros-gathered-at-15th-annual-marcom-summit/
- Published: 2026-10-26T23:23:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-27T23:25:54.000Z
- Description: By Christine O'Dwyer. The annual Mid-Atlanta Marcom Summit brings together public relations, public affairs, communications, marketing, advertising, social media professionals, and more.
- Author: Guest Columnist
- Tags: Mid-Atlantic MarComm Summit, O'Dwyer PR, Events, Christine O'Dwyer

It was a day of learning and networking among high-level executives from corporations, ad agencies, public relations firms, associations, non-profits, services firms, the media and more at the 15th Annual Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, held Oct. 14 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Conference Center in Washington, D.C.

The MarCom Summit is held in association with ADWKDC and is produced by [Potomac Tech Wire](https://www.potomactechwire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [Capitol Communicator](https://capitolcommunicator.com/). The event was filled to capacity with 400 attendees, 65 speakers and 25 exhibitors.

The annual conference brings together public relations, public affairs, communications, marketing, advertising, social media professionals, and more for timely sessions on what most concerns today’s communications professionals in the age of AI.

Speakers and attendees included CEOs, founders, public affairs VPs, social media directors, creative directors, media relations directors, communications VPs, chief digital officers, public policy directors and more.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Summit20.jpg)

Speakers at session "The New Map of Public Policy Advertising." (Featured left to right): Barbara Shipley, AARP; Brad Bosserman, The Washington Sun; Lianne Bollinger; Bully Pulpit International; Bart Myers, Capitol Influence; and moderator Cary Hatch, former CEO, MDB Communications. (Image credit: James Minichello Photography)

“This year’s Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, held with the DC chapter's American Advertising Federation ADWKDC, brought together the ideas, expertise and connections that make our region’s advertising, marketing and communications community so strong,” said Paul Duning, executive producer of the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit and founder and publisher, [Capitol Communicator](https://capitolcommunicator.com/).

“From AI’s impact on search and marketing to public affairs, social media and authentic storytelling, the sessions addressed the issues shaping our industry’s future. The networking carried those conversations beyond the sessions, giving professionals opportunities to reconnect, exchange ideas and build new relationships. Washington’s MLK Library Conference Center provided an inspiring setting, with its rooftop terrace adding a special dimension to the day. We’re grateful to the speakers, attendees, sponsors and partners who made the summit such a success,” said Duning.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/20261024130715_102626marcom-summit-pic-6.webp)

The Summit included 25 exhibitors showcasing the latest high-tech products and services for communicators. Shown here (middle) Mustafa Hasnain, CEO and Co-Founder of [ActivatUS](https://activatus.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). (Image credit: O'Dwyer's)

[Robert Udowitz](https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/author/439/robert-udowitz.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), co-producer of the MarCom Summit and principal of RFP Associates, added, "This year we were mindful to include public affairs in our agenda, as communications converge and it becomes a common thread running through everything we do, from brand to media to advocacy. As evidenced by our speakers and topics, policy issues resonate in Washington for our clients and organizations."

The event opened with the session “CMO Outlook: The Big Picture,” where marketing and communications executives remarked on the trends, opportunities, and challenges for those in marketing and communications. Speakers were Sheila Blackwell, Chief Marketing Officer, MANTECH; Allison Moss, Head of Marketing, Just Ice Tea; Kim Bolt, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Washington Spirit; and moderator Tanya Nazarian, Sr. VP, Growth, Grafik.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/20261024124900_102626marcom-summit-pic-3.webp)

Nicole Schuman, **PRNEWS* (left) interviewing AJ Jones II, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, in the morning Fireside Chat, which focused on his leadership and his communications strategy in the world of sports and entertainment. (Image credit: O'Dwyer's)

In a morning Fireside Chat, AJ Jones II, Executive VP and Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer at Monumental Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and much more, spoke with interviewer Nicole Schuman, Managing Editor of *PRNEWS*, about the world of sports and entertainment. He discussed how sports are going global more and more, as noted by the increase of NFL, NBA and NHL games that will be held across the globe in 2026 and 2027.

Jones also commented that “The future of sport is women.” He added, “Since 2024, ten women’s leagues have been launched.” Regarding women’s college sports, he said that “viewership has increased by 33%.” He revealed that according to Nielsen ratings, there were recently “46 billion minutes watched of women’s sports alone.” Jones also spoke about the importance of pleasing the fans who expend their time, energy and funds that contribute to the multi-billion-dollar world of sports. He added that it is critical to offer a product about which people can say after a game, “I walked away feeling better than when I walked in here.”

In the session “Behind the Message: A Roundtable with Public Affairs Leaders,” panelists offered their experience with crisis plans.

Eric Pahon, VP, Defense Communications, Rolls-Royce, asserted that “A crisis doesn’t start and then stop in two hours. It continues to evolve. The media continue to ask deeper and deeper questions.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/20261024125942_102626marcom-summit-pic-4.webp)

The session “Behind the Message: A Roundtable with Public Affairs Leaders,” featured (left to right) moderator Becca Bycott, Public Affairs Council; Brian Wommack, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Lindsey Kolb, American Beverage Association; Amy Ruth Cole, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP); and Eric Pahon, Rolls-Royce. (Image credit: O'Dwyer's)

Brian Wommack, VP, Communications, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, remarked that keeping a crisis plan up-to-date remains crucial. He recommends that companies and organizations conduct quarterly “crisis tabletops.” A full crisis exercise drill should be held at least once a year.

“It doesn’t end at the crisis,” he explained. “Even once the crisis is buttoned up, your crisis plan needs to be a living document. And crisis preparedness has to be on all the time,” he added.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/20261024131912_102626marcom-summit-pic-5.webp)

Creator journalists covered how they go about their craft and the distinction between journalists and influencers in the panel discussion "Byline versus Bio: Navigating the Divide Between Creator Journalists and Influencers." Shown (left to right); Seamus Hughes, research journalist; Amy Walters, WYPR/Baltimore Public Media; moderator Liz Kelly Nelson, Project C; Joe Himali, Best Address Group; and Austin Graff, Curiosity and Connection. (Image credit: O'Dwyer's)

Amy Ruth-Cole, Sr. Director of Strategic Communications and Content, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), remarked that relationship building with her members and her internal colleagues is vital.

“I can’t stress enough the need for both internal and external relationship building,” she asserted.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/20261024132627_102626marcom-summit-pic-7.webp)

"Authenticity is a creative choice," asserted Claudia Barac-Roth, ICF Next, (right) while discussing producing original video content, along with Diana Innes, ICF Next, (left) in the seminar, "Authenticity in an AI World." Barac-Roth added, "It’s not for everybody. But it really brings the conversation back to responsibility as creators. We have to produce all the work. That means so much to people watching it." (Image credit: O'Dwyer's)

She remarked that communicators should analyze crisis plans in detail and focus on what they consider as top issues that could potentially arise.

“Who are some of those stakeholders that maybe you should be building some of those relationships with or subject-matter experts internally, so you can be ready and be comfortable being able to quickly activate on those needs,” she commented.

Lindsey Kolb, VP of Public Affairs and Paid Media, American Beverage Association, agreed regarding crisis planning that “getting ahead of what could possibly be happening is key.” At her association, they have contact sheets of reporters who cover her industry, and they are diligent about keeping these contacts up-to-date, for ongoing communications about the industry with the press.

Additional sessions included “Search & GEO: The Marketing Playbook for an AI-First World,” “Beyond the Buzz: Three Shifts Reshaping Ad Tech,” Messaging and Communications in Washington: What’s Changed, What’s Next,” "Social Media Outlook: Insights, Case Studies and Strategies in Current Landscape," “Turning Audience Intelligence into Action in Modern Public Affairs Campaigns,” "Build an Agent, Watch the Work: AI Agents for Marketing and Communications," “AI is Compressing the Buyer Journey: The Clutch Framework to Win in a New B2B Buying World," and many more.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Summit60.jpg)

In the session “A Communicator Playbook for Responsible AI,” panelists discussed how they implement guidelines on working with AI, the importance of timely and constructive communications between all team members, and more. (Featured left to right): moderator Sharon Reis, The Reis Group; Camille Stewart Gloster, CAS Strategies; Shakirah Hill Taylor, Fenton; and Mia Logan, Climate Power. (Image credit: James Minichello Photography)

For more details about the conference, including the speakers, sessions, sponsors, and exhibitors, you can visit the Summit website here: [marcomsummit.co](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). The printed program handed out to attendees featured a full-page memory tribute to Gretchen Carswell, who recently passed and who served as the Immediate Past President of the American Advertising Federation DC Chapter (AAF DC) and was involved with the chapter for 27 years and also served as Head of ADWKDC for numerous years.

**This article was originally published by Christine O'Dwyer on O'Dwyer's PR and is reprinted here with permission.**

**Read the original article** [**here**](https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/25507/2026-10-26/top-comms-pros-gathered-at-15th-annual-marcom-summit.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**