The Experience Economy Summit

Thursday, August 13, 2026

• 10:00 AM Breakfast + Registration
• 10:50 AM Welcome Remarks

  Brandon Gutman, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

  Marc Sternberg, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

  Joe Varano, Vice President of Content & Community, Brand Innovators

  Emcee: Tami Blanco, Vice President, North American Facilities & Projects, Carnival Cruise Line

• 11:00 AM Carnival Welcome Session

  Bettina Deynes, Global Chief Human Resources Officer,  Carnival Corporation

  Josh Weinstein, President & Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Corporation

  Moderated by: Chad Hametz, Senior Director, Florida Sales, Kargo

• 11:30 AM Culture, Community & Connection: The New Loyalty Playbook

  Traditional loyalty programs alone are no longer enough. Today’s strongest brands build belonging through shared values, meaningful engagement, and community-driven experiences. Join marketing leaders as they discuss how culture and connection are becoming the foundation of modern customer loyalty.

  Sidharth (Sid) Krishna , Vice President, Loyalty, Carnival Cruise Line

  Rogelio Magana Shoemaker, Vice President & General Manager, International Markets, Frida

  Moderated by: Erik Wohnoutka, Senior Account Executive, Suzy

• 12:00 PM AI as a Creative Partner, Not a Replacement

  AI is transforming how brands generate ideas, develop content, and bring experiences to life. This session explores how marketers are using AI to enhance creativity, accelerate innovation, and empower teams while maintaining the human insight and emotional intelligence that consumers value most.

  William DeCourcy, Senior Vice President and Chief Lead Generation Officer, AmeriLife

  Devin Ward, Head of Digital, WNBA

  Moderated by: Chad Hametz, Senior Director, Florida Sales, Kargo

• 12:30 PM Rethinking Marketing Innovation, Media Buying & the Future of Marketing

  Marketing is entering a new era—one where AI, automation, evolving media ecosystems, and changing consumer behaviors are redefining how brands connect with audiences. As traditional playbooks become less effective, marketers must rethink everything from media investment and measurement to creative strategy and organizational agility.

  Federico Estrada, Vice President of Digital Marketing, Atlantis Paradise Island

  Moderated by: Bennett Blake, Director, Account Management, Suzy

• 1:00 PM Modern Marketing: A Team Sport

  Delivering exceptional customer experiences requires collaboration across marketing, technology, data, operations, customer experience, and beyond. This conversation explores how cross-functional teams are breaking down silos, aligning around shared goals, and working together to drive business growth.

  Patricia Artiaga, Director of Digital Strategy, RBI Latin America and Caribbean, Restaurant Brands International

  Giancarlo Morena, Vice President, Sports & Entertainment, Celsius

  Ken Rader, Head of Marketing, PayCargo

  Moderated by: Andres Cohen, Founder & CEO, FAMOSOS

   

• 1:30 PM Lunch
• 2:15 PM The Power of Live Experiences in a Digital-First World

  As consumers spend more time online, in-person experiences have become even more valuable. From immersive activations and events to hospitality and experiential marketing, this session explores how brands create memorable real-world moments that strengthen relationships and amplify engagement across channels.

  Luis Araujo, Vice President Sponsorships, Mastercard

  Melissa Cintrón-Muñoz, Senior Events Manager, Global Events & Experiential Marketing, Yahoo

  Moderated by: Eric Zaner, Chief Revenue Officer, Sojern

• 2:45 PM What Consumers Expect From Brands in 2026 and Beyond

  Consumer expectations continue to evolve at a rapid pace. From personalization and convenience to transparency, trust, and meaningful experiences, hear how leading marketers are anticipating the next wave of customer demands and building brands ready for the future.

  Jennie Kaylie, Vice President of Marketing, Former Travelpro

  Josh St Aubin, Director of Digital, Organic Valley

  Moderated by: Douglas Kaplan, Chief Commercial Officer, Bob’s Watches

• 3:15 PM Building Partnerships with Purpose

  The most effective partnerships do more than generate visibility—they create value for consumers and meaningful business impact. Learn how brands identify the right collaborators, build authentic relationships, and develop partnerships that enhance experiences while driving long-term growth.

  Gale S. Nelson, M.S., President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami

  Renata Ribeiro, Senior Vice President, Strategic Operations, Carnival Corporation

  Diana Tomassetti, Senior Director, Brand and Product Marketing, Carnival Corporation

  Moderated by: Eric Zaner, Chief Revenue Officer, Sojern

• 4:00 PM Networking Break
• 4:15 PM Leveraging Global Moments to Build Brand Equity

  From major cultural events and travel trends to global celebrations and milestones, brands have unique opportunities to connect with audiences through shared experiences.

  Clement Reid, Chief Operating Officer, La Fête Wine

  Bernadette Salgado, Senior Brand Manager, Patron Tequila, Bacardi

  Moderated by: Alejandro Palli, Southeast Territory Lead, Vevo

• 4:45 PM Wrap