The Expectation Gap: Marketers, Consumers, and AI in a Time of Rapid Change 2026
One-day conference where marketing executives examine the gap between marketer expectations and consumer reality around AI adoption.
Chicago, Illinois
- Dates
- Thursday, October 1, 2026, 9:00am–4:00pm
- Venue
- Chicago, Illinois
- Price
- $299–$399
TL;DR
- The Expectation Gap brings marketing leaders to Chicago on October 1, 2026, for a single-day session at DePaul University.
- Registration runs $299 for Gold Tier and $399 for Silver Tier.
- Attendees include client-side ANA members and marketing professionals, with speakers from Bank of America, CDW, Mars, Sprout Social, and Sara Lee.
- The event focuses on how marketer expectations diverge from consumer sentiment regarding AI deployment.
About
The ANA Educational Foundation and DePaul University's College of Communication co-host this single-day conference. The program centers on the gap between marketer strategy and consumer perspective as AI adoption accelerates, bringing C-suite and director-level marketers together to examine the disconnect.
Who you'll find in the room
Client-Side Marketers
ANA members and marketing professionals from brand side companies.
Marketing Leaders
C-suite and director-level executives from major brands including financial services, technology, retail, and consumer products.
Featured speakers
5 listedTerez Stewart
SVP, Digital Director · Bank of America
Nicole Meyerson
AI Fluency Lead · CDW
Curtis Midkiff Jr.
Director of Social Marketing · Sprout Social Inc.
Johnni Rodgers
Chief Marketing Officer · Sara Lee Frozen Bakery
Sarah Reinecke
SVP, Salty Category & Global Brands · Mars
Venue & travel
Venue
DePaul University, 1 E Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604Questions people ask
9 answeredThursday, October 1, 2026, 9:00am to 4:00pm.
DePaul University, Room 8005, 1 E Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604.
Gold Tier registration is $299; Silver Tier is $399.
Marketers and ANA members, including client-side professionals and executives from major brands such as Bank of America, CDW, Mars, Sprout Social, and Sara Lee.
Attendees include senior executives and directors from financial services, technology, consumer products, and retail sectors. Speakers represent roles such as SVP Digital, CMO, Director of Marketing, and AI Fluency Lead positions.
No refunds are granted for cancellations or no-shows. Unused registrations cannot be credited to future events.
The ANA Educational Foundation and the Public Relations and Advertising Program in the College of Communication at DePaul University co-host the event.
The event draws marketing executives from Fortune 500 companies to examine how marketer strategy diverges from consumer sentiment around AI. If your role involves marketing strategy or consumer insight amid AI adoption, the caliber of speakers and focused topic merit consideration.
Business attire is standard for marketing conferences. The organizer does not publish a specific dress code.
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