Agenda Speakers Sponsors Venue FAQ Register Now
{{ embers }}
← All Past Conferences
Archive · 2025

CX Gets Real

Vibe Marketing in the AI Era

Friday, September 26, 2025 · Cintas Center, Cincinnati

IGNITE 2025 event graphic

This year's theme, "CX Gets Real: Vibe Marketing in the AI Era," challenged marketers and experienced leaders to explore the next evolution of customer connection: one that's personal, contextual, and deeply human.

In a market flooded with automation and data, the brands that resonate are the ones that feel real — they VIBE. The conference wasn't a typical marketing seminar or an AI hype fest — it's where forward-thinking professionals gathered to get real about what it takes to lead in the rapidly evolving world of customer experience, helped and hindered by digital/AI execution.

The lineup featured leaders from AMA, VML, Chase Bank, Brandience, Valerie Jacobs Futures, Paychex/Paycor, Scrappy ABM, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Public Radio, 84.51°, The Circuit, Fifth Third, Nichefire, Narratize, Better Business Bureau, Ford, Wendy's, AIDCOM, and Union Pointe Consulting.

Speakers
Opening Plenary — The Future of CX: Vibes, AI, and the Journey of One at Scale
Bennie Johnson
Bennie Johnson
CEO
American Marketing Association
Brian Yamada
Brian Yamada
Chief Innovation Officer
VML
Closing Plenary — From Digital to Human and Back: Building Brand Experiences that Vibe
Akhilesh Anakapally
Akhilesh Anakapally
Director, Digital Products
The Wendy's Company
Scott Kelly
Scott Kelly
Sr. Director Product, Ford.com Web & eCommerce
Ford Motor Company
Kate Olberding
Kate Olberding
Vice President, Brand Engagement
Better Business Bureau of Cincinnati
Thursday Workshop — The NEW Fickle, Non-Linear Customer Journey
Jeff Hendrickson
Jeff Hendrickson
Digital Transformation Strategist
AIDCOM Consulting
Marc Macaluso
Marc Macaluso
CEO & Founder
Union Pointe Consulting
Friday Kickstarter Breakfast — Define Your Conference Experience
Katie Kinnemeyer
Katie Kinnemeyer
Founder
White Paw Ventures
Afton Palmer
Afton Palmer
Mindfulness Educator & ICF Certified Wellness Coach
The Reflective Lotus
B2B Breakout — Storytelling in the Age of AI
Lauren Dennison
Lauren Dennison
Director, Digital Marketing Growth
Paychex (Paycor)
Dr. Roseann Hassey
Dr. Roseann Hassey
Associate Professor of Marketing
University of Cincinnati
Joseph Lewin
Joseph Lewin
Head of Podcast Strategy, Scrappy ABM & Founder, Sell Through Social
B2C Breakout — Authenticity & Automation
Shannel Heath
Shannel Heath
Vice President, Community Manager
Chase Bank
Valerie Jacobs
Valerie Jacobs
Futurist & Founder
Valerie Jacobs Futures
Brian McHale
Brian McHale
Chief Executive Officer
Brandience
Tech Enablers Breakout — CX Enablers
Khalil El-Amin
Khalil El-Amin
Co-Founder & Chief Strategist
Nichefire
Josette Riep
Josette Riep
Assistant Vice President, IT
University of Cincinnati
Katie Trauth Taylor
Katie Trauth Taylor
CEO & Co-Founder
Narratize
Insights & Ethics Breakout — Trust & Transparency
Connie Rankin Ross
Connie Rankin Ross
Talent Manager – DEI & Belonging
84.51°
Tracy Ruberg
Tracy Ruberg
CEO & Fractional CIO, T6 Group; Executive Director, The Circuit
Nate Sowder
Nate Sowder
Ecosystem Innovation Manager
Fifth Third Bank
Jenell Walton
Jenell Walton
Vice President, Content
Cincinnati Public Radio
Moderators & Other Presenters
Gina Bonar
Gina Bonar
Chief Marketing Partner, 5 Whys Marketing
Conference Chair & MC
Cortlan Booker
Cortlan Booker
Sales Manager, Spectrum Reach
Panel Moderator, B2B Breakout
Nick Brunker
Nick Brunker
Cincinnati Office Lead, VML
Steering Committee
Ben Geheb
Ben Geheb
Chief Strategy Officer, VML
Panel Moderator, Closing Plenary
Jessica Guido
Jessica Guido
Senior Digital Experience Coordinator, St. Elizabeth
Steering Committee
Tom Jones
Tom Jones
Dir. of Content Delivery, TheWholeJonesGroup
Steering Committee; Panel Moderator, B2C Breakout
Betty Rodriguez Hakes
Betty Rodriguez Hakes
Owner & MarTech Consultant, Gourmet Betty
Steering Committee; Panel Moderator, Insights & Ethics Breakout
Audrey Ronis-Tobin
Audrey Ronis-Tobin
Director of Marketing, CoStrategix
Panel Moderator, Tech Enablers Breakout
Mike Thomas
Mike Thomas
CEO, Upstream360
Partner
Betsy Wolking
Betsy Wolking
Dir. of Marketing & Communications, Foster & Motley
AMA Cincinnati President
Agenda
Thursday, September 25 — VML Offices, Downtown
3:00–5:30pm
Workshop: The New, Fickle, Non-Linear Customer Journey Map
5:30–7:00pm
Welcome Reception
Friday, September 26 — Cintas Center
7:30–8:30am
Define Your Journey (Kickstarter) Breakfast
9:15–10:15am
Opening Plenary
10:45–11:45am
B2B Breakout / B2C Breakout (parallel)
1:15–2:15pm
Tech Enablers Panel / Insights & Ethics Panel (parallel)
2:45–3:45pm
Closing Plenary
4:00–5:00pm
Digest Your Day Over Drinks (Happy Hour)
2025 Sponsors
AMA Cincinnati Presents IGNITE

IGNITE is the premier marketing conference from AMA Cincinnati — a full day of bold ideas, world-class speakers, and community.

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 · 8:30a–5:30p
American Sign Museum · Cincinnati
Event
Get Involved
Connect
© 2026 AMA Cincinnati. All rights reserved. Presented by AMA Cincinnati