Managing the Digital Transformation, presented by mdg in cooperation with ECEF/Lippman Connects
JW Marriott – Salon I | Washington, DC
Tuesday, May 29 | 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Session Description:
While digital disruption isn’t new to the events business, the importance of having an integrated data, web and digital strategy is gaining traction—and creating immense opportunities for association and for-profit organizers alike. Developing a holistic digital approach means having parallel strategic, organizational and event views, as well having all the right people in all the right positions using all the right tools. Leana Salamah, former marketing executive with the National Restaurant Association and current mdg vice president, will lead an engaging discussion with panelists who have successfully cultivated their knowledge of all things digital—from the broadest strategic approaches to the most detailed tactical decisions—to manage change and successfully increase event attendance. She’ll also demonstrate why and how senior leadership should play an active role in developing a culture that blends design thinking with business thinking.
Panelists
Jason Brown
Chief Digital Officer, Informa Global Exhibitions
Before joining Informa in November 2015, Jason served as Chief Digital Officer with George Little Management and Vice President of Digital Media, UBM Canon and Active Interest Media. Earlier, Jason’s 13-year career at Penton Media included Associate Publisher, Publisher and Director of Digital Media. Jason has comprehensive oversight of the development and enhancement of digital products which compliment, bolster and expand Informa’s exhibitions portfolio.
Jean Foster
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, CTA
With more than 20 years of experience, Jean is an industry-recognized technology executive with a record of delivering revenue growth and business transformation. Jean has been a product and P&L leader for some of the best technology brands including Neustar, BT, GE and Verisign. With a unique combination of product discipline and marketing savvy, Jean creates new solutions, builds brands and drives customer engagement. As the Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications at CTA, Jean brings strategic alignment to her department, creating a more digital-focused and data-driven process.
Kristen Ferrer
Director of Digital, mdg
As Director of Digital at mdg, Kristen leads her team of digital experts to provide solutions that increase attendance and exhibitor participation for several of the largest and most successful trade shows and conferences in the country. A strategic marketing leader, Kristen focuses on marketing operations and digital campaign/program optimization. She is known for creating data-driven strategies that guide organizations through digital transformation and achieve organizational goals. Her favorite projects include digital acquisition through organic search, paid search and social, as well as email, user experience design and data analytics.
Aiden Augustin
Co-Founder, CEO, Feathr
Aidan Augustin is the Co-Founder and President of Feathr, a software company building digital marketing and web analytics tools specifically for event organizers. Feathr has helped grow attendance and revenue for over 1,000 exhibitions, conferences and festivals across all six continents since 2015. Previously, Aidan studied Industrial and Systems Engineering in the University of Florida Honors Program. Though he ultimately dropped out of school to start the precursor to present-day Feathr, he remains a fanatical Gator fan and life-long learner.
Moderator
Leana Salamah
Marketing Strategist and Vice President, mdg
As Marketing Strategist and Vice President at mdg, the nation’s leading marketing and public relations agency specializing in B2B events, Leana and her team provide solutions that increase attendance and exhibitor participation for several of the largest and most successful trade shows and conferences in the country. Leana’s formative years were spent at award-winning Chicago B2B agencies, followed by a brief foray into “client-side” marketing where she oversaw marketing and content development for the National Restaurant Association. In 2017, Leana joined mdg with the perspective and insight to become an effective extension of any internal marketing department. Armed with a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, a passion for data-driven creativity and a voracious appetite for research and target audience relevancy, she seamlessly integrates strategy, tactics and execution to deliver results.
