The University of Washington Tacoma’s Milgard School of Business has opened registration for a one-day marketing conference, “Marketing Reimagined: Harnessing Marketing Trends for Tomorrow,” on April 17 to unite leaders from academia, industry, and the next generation of marketing professionals for innovation, networking, and transformative ideas.

The conference is open to the Puget Sound business community and students. Admission is free. Online registration is required before April 11, but the school urges signing up soon to guarantee a seat. The event is scheduled from 12:30-4 p.m. at Milgard Hall, Room 110.

The conference theme reflects the event’s focus on bridging the gap between academic research and practical industry applications, addressing topics such as branding, consumer behavior, sales, and technology to help attendees gain perspectives on navigating the complexities of modern marketing, according to a Milgard news release. For professionals, the conference offers a platform to connect with peers, share insights, and stay ahead of marketing trends. For students, it’s an opportunity to network with industry leaders and gain firsthand exposure to the dynamic field of marketing, the school said.

Keynote speakers include Paul Donato, executive vice president and chief research officer at the Advertising Research Foundation in New York, who will discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping advertising through personalized campaigns and real-time insights; and Garth Knutson, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Aflac, who will discuss tomorrow’s marketing trends.

The agenda also includes a panel discussion on advertising and branding exploring strategies and challenges in expanding brands on a global scale, including cultural adaptation and international branding. Moderated by Kim Hunter, CEO of Lagrant Communications, the panel features industry experts who include John Ford, professor of marketing and international business at the Strome College of Business, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia; Zach Sanders, vice president of Ipsos Retail and Shopper Insights and a Milgard alum; Ryan Zilker, chief strategy and marketing officer of Sound Credit Union; and Liz Lamb-Ferro, senior director of global publishing at Riot Games, who’s also a Milgard alum.

Also planned is a panel discussion on sales and retailing examining the impact of digital platforms and personalized strategies on sales and retailing. Moderated by Patrick Bendon, senior director of business development at Pitchbook Data, and a Milgard alum, the panel features experts who include Barry Babin, executive director of the Academy of Marketing Science, and professor and chair of the Department of Marketing, Analytics, and Professional Sales at the School of Business Administration, University of Mississippi; Alan Butner, director of global enterprise accounts of Mohawk Group and a Milgard alum; Rena Pacheco-Theard, CEO of Boutiq; and Christopher E. Inverso, CEO of OAI + Rainier, and also a Milgard alum.

A student-led panel discussion that delves deeper into the marketing trends shaping the future, including how AI is reshaping social media, also is planned. Moderators are Virsaviya Polishchuk and Natalie Miller, president and vice president, respectively, of the Marketing Society at UWT. One of the panelists is Bryan Reynolds, CEO and co-founder of Anthem Coffee.

The conference, supported by two registered student organizations at Milgard, the Marketing Society and the MBA Association, highlights UW Tacoma’s dedication to bridging Puget Sound’s business community with its diverse and talented student body, the Milgard school said in its release.

“The business landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, presenting both challenges and opportunities,” Altaf Merchant, dean of the Milgard School of Business, said in a statement. “At Milgard, we see these changes as a chance to innovate, lead, and shape the future. By bringing together students, industry leaders, and cutting-edge ideas, we are not just preparing students for tomorrow; we are empowering them to navigate and define it. Marketing Reimagined bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world professional insights from our thriving business community. It’s more than a conference; it’s a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and the promising future of our marketing students as they transition into industry innovators and bold leaders prepared to meet the demands of a global marketplace. Milgard has a proud history as a hub for innovation and growth, and this event exemplifies our commitment to inspiring leadership and driving meaningful change.”