Thanks to attendees of our first ever Momentum Conference, April 17, 2026

Our first Momentum Conference is in the books. Thank you to everyone who attended this sold-out event. Together, we launched an annual tradition for Pittsburgh’s marketing community. The inaugural conference brought together more than 130 marketers, business leaders, students, and innovators for a day of ideas, connections, and professional growth. We look forward to seeing you next year!

One day. Five tracks. Every part of the marketing ecosystem.

Join us as we bring together the full marketing ecosystem from students to seasoned executives to explore how innovation, AI, and career trends are reshaping marketing now and in the future. The event blends keynotes, panels, workshops, networking, and a closing happy hour to deliver both insight and connection.

 

Who Should Attend

Students and professionals at all career levels in marketing, design, product, research, CX, communications, advertising media, representing brands and agencies.

 

Topics Covered

• AI & Innovation (Agentic commerce, AI trends and skills)
• Customer Experience & Insights (Customer journeys, UX, analytics)
• Brand Storytelling & Media (Brand strategy, content, paid media, SEO/GEO)
• Leadership, Partnerships & Growth (Exec leadership, agency-brand partnerships, sponsorships, budgets)
• Career Elevation (Interactive skill building workshops and career resources)

Session Types

• Keynote presentations
• Panel discussions
• Interactive workshops

In addition to having some amazing speakers and topics, the day will feature plenty of networking time, morning coffee, lunch and a post-event happy hour.

Morning Presentations

8:30–9:30
Registration & Coffee

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9:30–9:50 | Auditorium
Welcome & Opening Remarks

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9:50–10:30 | Auditorium
Keynote Presentation | Momentum in Marketing Media
Tom Connelly, President, Corkboard Concepts

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10:30–11:30 | Auditorium
Fireside Chat | Brand Storytelling & Media
The Power of Story: Leading Brand Transformation in a Noisy World
John Cardone, VP Marketing & Communications, Carlow University
Sabrina Saunders Mosby, President & CEO, Vibrant Pittsburgh

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11:30–11:45
Break / Room Transition

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Morning Breakout Sessions

11:45–12:30 | Breakout Sessions

Auditorium
Keynote Presentation | Career Elevation
Future-Proof Your Social Media Career: Thriving Amid Change, Challenge, and Complexity
Jennifer Radke, CEO, National Institute for Social Media

Classroom
Breakout Session | AI & Innovation
Agentic Commerce & the Agentic Shift
Jonty Ward, Commercial Director, Reach Studios
Jake Bower, Solutions Manager, Reach Studios

Boardroom (Conf 1)
Interactive Workshop | Career Elevation
Achieving Career Success in Challenging Job Markets
Jason Vallozzi, Founder, Campus to Career Crossroads

Union Room (Conf 2)
Interactive Workshop | Career Elevation
Trust Is the Strategy: Building a Reputation That Holds Up Under Pressure
Hollie Geitner, Founder & CEO, Anchored Voice Consulting

Lunch & Open Networking

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Lunch & Open Networking

12:30–1:30

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Afternoon Breakout Sessions

1:30–2:30 | Breakout Sessions

Auditorium
Panel Discussion | AI & Innovation
Beyond the AI Hype: Where It’s Actually Changing Business
Dan Simkins, CEO & Founder, DX Performance AI
Andrew Flowers, Founder & CEO, Helikon Labs
Jonty Ward, Commercial Director, Reach Studios
Kit Mueller, Co Founder & CRO, Skilly
Moderator: Jordan Atchison CMO, Corkboard Concepts

Classroom
Panel Discussion | Leadership, Partnerships & Growth
What the Best Agencies Are Doing Differently
Shannon Baker, President, Gatesman
Beth Thompson, SVP, Director of PR, Social & Agency Brand Communications, Gatesman
Jenn Miller, SVP, Director of Intelligence & Innovation, Gatesman
Beth Varner, VP, Director of Human Resources, Gatesman
Moderator: Katie Bennett Associate Director for Student Engagement, University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business

Boardroom (Conf 1)
Interactive Workshop | AI & Innovation
AI Tools and the Modern World
Rachel Kaplan, Associate Professor of Marketing, Seton Hill University
Bridget Joyce, Marketing & Communication Specialist
Brooke Martin, Marketing & Social Media Consultant

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2:30–2:45
Break / Room Transition

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2:45–3:30 | Breakout Sessions

Auditorium
Keynote Presentation | Brand Storytelling & Media
Your Website Isn’t a Project. It’s a Platform for Growth
Meesha Gerhart, CEO, RedTree Web Design

Classroom
Panel Discussion | Brand Storytelling & Media
Marketing That Connects: Engaging Every Age Group
Kate Speer, CMO, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Company
Max Pipman, Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Moderator: Alexandria Kenzakoski, Director of Communications, VisitPITTSBURGH

Boardroom (Conf 1)
Interactive Workshop | Customer Experience & Insights
Stop Designing for Customers. Start Designing for Humans.
Rebecca Farabaugh, Human-Centered Strategist and Storyteller, Lighten Up

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3:30–3:45
Break / Room Transition

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3:45–4:30 Breakout Sessions

Auditorium
Panel Discussion | Leadership, Partnerships & Growth
An International Marketing Panel: Sister Cities of Steel
Zack Meuschke, CEO / Co-Owner, Corkboard Concepts
Jordan Atchison, CMO, Corkboard Concepts
Jonty Ward, Commercial Director, Reach Studios
Jake Bower, Solutions Manager, Reach Studios
Moderator: Chris Bevel, President, AMA Pittsburgh

Classroom
Panel Discussion | Brand Storytelling & Media
From Brand Voice to Employee Voice: The Power of Employee-Generated Content
Deanna Tomaselli, VP Client Services & Director of Analytics & Client Engagement, The Motherhood
Abby Swalga, Director of Communications, Pennsylvania Women Work
Nathan Wadding, Founder & CEO, Kindling Culture Agency
Moderator: Natalie Wagner, Business Development Executive, The Motherhood

Boardroom (Conf 1)
Breakout Session | Customer Experience & Insights
Innovating at the Speed of Trust: Reshaping a 150-Year-Old Brand Through Authentic Relationships
Leah Marmo, Director, Inglis Innovation Center PGH

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4:30–4:45
Break / Room Transition

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4:45–5:15 | Auditorium
Closing Remarks

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Happy Hour Reception

5:15 – 7:30

Light snacks and beverages in the Nova Place lobby