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

Dates: September 23 to 26, 2026

Day 1 (Wednesday): Student Career Fair + Optional AAF Experience & Welcome Reception

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

Day 3 (Friday): Professional Track

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

*Full agenda to be released in June.

LA26 Agenda

September 23, 2026

12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

  • Optional AAF Experience
  • Details TBA

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

  • Student Career Fair
  • Details TBA

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

  • Welcome Reception
  • Details TBA

September 24, 2026

8:00 AM

  • Registration & Networking Breakfast, Sponsor Expo

9:00 AM to 9:45 AM

Welcome Keynote: State of AAF & The Industry

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

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

  • AAF Club Leadership Track: TBA
  • Student Track: TBA

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

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

  • Speakers from AAF CSUN

12:00 PM

  • Offsite Lunch

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

  • Student Career Fair, AAF Club Networking, Sponsor Expo

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Creativity in Hollywood 

  • Speakers TBA

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

  • AAF Club Leadership Track: TBA
  • Student Track: TBA

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

  • AAF Club Leadership Track: Western Region Business Meeting & District Goal Sharing
  • Student Track: TBA

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

  • Best of the West Award Show Dinner

September 25, 2026

8:00 AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast, Sponsor Expo


9:00 AM to 9:45 AM

Welcome Keynote | The World is Watching: Branding LA for the Olympic Stage

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

10:00 AM to 10:45 AM

Panel | Sports Marketing

  • Speakers TBA

[15min Networking & Sponsor Expo Break]


11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Pick Your Path!

  • Path A: AI Workshop
  • Path B: Name, Image, Likeness & the New Athlete Brand

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Lunch Fireside Chat | The Creator Economy

  • Speakers TBA

1:00 PM to 1:30 PM

  • Networking Break & Sponsor Expo

1:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Keynote | Special Session TBA

  • Speakers TBA

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

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

  • Speakers TBA

3:00 PM to 3:45 PM 

Keynote | Special Session TBA

  • Speakers TBA

[15min Networking & Sponsor Expo Break]


4:00 PM to 5:00 PM 

Panel | Special Session TBA

  • Speakers TBA

5:00 PM to 6:00 PM 

Closing Keynote | What LA Builds Next: The City, the Industry, and the Next Generation of Marketing Leadership

  • Speakers TBA

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

  • Happy Hour

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