The premier annual conference of the AAF Western Region — bringing together advertising and marketing professionals, agency leaders, brand-side marketers, students, and AAF club officers from across 12 Western states.

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About The Conference

For over 20 years, AdWest — formerly the Western Region Leadership Conference — has been the premier event for advertising professionals and AAF club leaders at every level.


Each year, AdWest is hosted in a different Western city. The 2026 edition, AdWest LA26, brings the conference home to Los Angeles for a special edition timed to one of the most significant moments in the city's history: the countdown to the 2028 Olympic Games.

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AdWest Details

Location: Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica (Book Your Room!)

Dates: September 23 to 26, 2026

Day 1 (Wednesday): Welcome Reception

Day 2 (Thursday): Club Leadership Track + Student Career Fair + Best of the West Awards Dinner

Day 3 (Friday): Industry Track

Day 4 (Saturday): The SoCal Experience - Choose Your Own Adventure

LA26 Agenda

September 23, 2026

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

  • Welcome Reception
  • Details TBA

September 24, 2026

8:00 AM

  • Registration & Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM to 9:10 AM

Welcome Message 

  • Welcome Message from AdWest Conference Co-Chairs, Mandi Witkower and Chris Degenaars

9:10 AM to 10:00 AM

Opening Panel: Legacy in the Making: Voices from the Hall of Achievement

  • Opening Remarks by AAF Western Region Chair, Julie Hackett
  • Speakers TBA

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Starting an AAF Collegiate Chapter: Building Your Team & Competing in NSAC for the 1st Time

  • AAF California State University Northridge
  • Chapman Circle Ad Club

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

From Entries to Excitement - Building an Awards Program That Drives Participation and Pride

  • Kate Kearns, Executive Director of AdFed Minnesota

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Lunch Keynote: Creativity in Hollywood 

  • Speakers TBA

1:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Break | AAF Club Networking & District Meetings


1:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Advertising in Action - How to Advocate for the Policies That Impact Our Industry

  • Anne Kierig (Vice President of Government Affairs, AAF National)
  • Paul Klein (Lobbyist, TriStrat) 
  • Christie Pierce (VP of Media, 3fold Communications)

2:00 PM to 2:45 PM

AAF Club Leadership - Idea Exchange Round Tables

  • Fundraising
  • Best of the West Awards
  • Event Planning
  • Government Affairs
  • National Student Advertising Competition
  • Ad 2
  • Ask Me Anything 

2:45 PM to 3:00 PM

Break | AAF Club Networking


3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Professional Development - The New Rules of Influence

  • Speakers TBA

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Western Region Business Meeting & District Goal Sharing


4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Free Time


6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Best of the West Award Celebration

September 25, 2026

Hosted at Team One (13031 W Jefferson Blvd #800, Los Angeles, CA 90094)


8:30 AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast p/b D/Cipher


10:00 AM to 10:10 AM

Welcome Message

  • Welcome Message from AdWest Conference Co-Chairs, Mandi Witkower and Chris Degenaars

10:10 AM to 11:00 AM

The World Is Watching: Branding LA as a Sports Epicenter on the Global Stage

  • LA Sports Commission

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

A Fire Side Chat on the Future of Social Commerce & Creators

  • Milani Cosmetics

12:00 PM to 12:45 PM

When Brands Collide: Forging Partnerships in a Celebrity Ecosystem

  • Zach Glass, SVP of Marketing at 11:11 Media

12:45 PM to 1:45 PM

  • Lunch Break

1:45 PM to 2:30 PM

Marketing LA: The City, The Culture & The Crowd

  • Zoe Zeigler, Head of Marketing at LA Metro
  • Additional speakers to be announced!

2:30 PM to 3:15 PM

Fandom Isn't Bought, It's Built.

  • Speakers TBA

3:15 PM to 3:30 PM 

  • Networking Break

3:30 PM to 4:30 PM 

She's Got Game: The Business Case for Women's Sports Marketing

  • Speakers TBA

4:30 PM to 5:00 PM 

Closing Keynote: What LA Builds Next

  • Julie Michael, CEO of Team One

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

  • Happy Hour p/b MACH27

September 26, 2026

All-Day Pick Your Path: The SoCal Experience


Option 1: Beach + Boardwalk Day 

  • Experience LA's beaches exploring Santa Monica and Venice! 

Option 2: Culture + Downtown

  • Explore the creative capital of the world's downtown center with art galleries and food from around the world. 

Option 3: Hollywood & Views

  • Get out for a hike to the iconic Hollywood sign! 

Interested in Sponsoring AdWest: LA26?

Sponsorship Inquiries

AdWest 2026 Sponsorship Inquiries