JOIN YOUR FELLOW AAF Central Region members for two full days of incredible professional development, storytelling, engagement, and fun!
The 2025 AAF Central Region Conference OCTOBER 17-18 at the beautiful RADISSON BLU MALL OF AMERICA IN MINNEAPOLIS is all about YOU! This professional development conference creates a platform where everyone can connect, communicate, and celebrate together in what makes our industry great. In the end, the conference aspires to generate and elevate a positive perception of communication and storytelling to all attendees while having a great time together. We’re bringing VALUE no matter where you are in your career or background. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!!! REGISTER HERE
IT'S ABOUT YOU!
STAY CONNECTED
SPEAKERS
just for YOU
MORE SPEAKERS ON THE WAY ...STAY TUNED!
WHERE YOU'LL BE
We are pleased to announce
Radisson BLU as the hotel and conference destination for the 2025 AdConnect!
Radisson Blu Mall of America only a short 10 minutes from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport is conveniently connected directly to Mall of America, the largest indoor entertainment and shopping mall in the United States. So, when you have a small break from all that AD CONNECT has to offer YOU, it's shopping time!
Discounted room rates are extended for all ADCONNECT attendees ... don't wait, book today!
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
MORE DETAILS TO COME ... STAY TUNED!
THURSDAY, OCT 16
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
REGISTRATION OPEN
FRIDAY, OCT 17
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
REGISTRATION OPEN
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
VENDOR EXHIBIT
8:30 am - 10:00 am
CONFERENCE OPENING
BREAKFAST BUFFET IN BALLROOM
WELCOME GREETING
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
10:00 am - 10:15 am
BREAK
10:15 am - 11:00 am
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
Aaron Draplin, Founder of Draplin Design Co.
Topic TBA
11:00 am - 11:15 am
BREAK
11:15 am - 11:45 am
NETWORKING ACTIVITY
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
LUNCH IN BALLROOM
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
The Social Lights & Totinos
** 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm **
Exclusive AARON DRAPLIN Breakout
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE DDC:
Ten Tactile Trick, Tips and Techniques
**Additional fee to attend. Limited to 40 people
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 - Speaker TBA
2:15 pm - 3:00 pm
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
BREAK
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
6:30pm
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
SATURDAY, OCT 18
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
REGISTRATION OPEN
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
VENDOR EXHIBIT
9:00 am - 10:00 am
BREAKFAST SERVED IN BALLROOM
WELCOME GREETING
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
Steve Pacheco, AAF President & CEO
"State of the Organization"
10:00 am - 10:15 am
BREAK
10:15 am - 11:00 am
PANEL DISCUSSION
American Advertising Awards
11:15 am - 12:00 pm
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 - Speaker TBA
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 - Speaker TBA
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
LUNCH SERVED IN BALLROOM
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
BREAK
1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
Abby Kallenbach, Diversity Consultant and Founder of Babes Helpin' Babes
"The State of DEI"
2:45 pm - 3:30 pm
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
MAIN STAGE PRESENTATION
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
BREAK
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
CLOSING COCKTAIL RECEPTION
6:30 pm
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
AAF members is $350 | Students full access is $200 | Early Bird deadline is September 15th
HUGE THANKS TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS
WITHOUT THE GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM OUR SPONSORS, THIS CONFERENCE CANNOT HAPPEN. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT EACH SPONSOR BY CLICKING THEIR LOGO, AND USE THEM IF YOU CAN. YOUR SUPPORT OF THESE SPONSORS IS APPRECIATED!
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in-kind
ABOUT THE AAF CENTRAL REGION CONFERENCE
The AAF Central Region Conference (CRC) is a bi-annual conference specific to AAF club members within the Central Region — but absolutely open to all members of AAF. The AAF Districts represented by the Central Region include Districts 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
This conference encourages AAF members from different Districts to gather together, share ideas, and meet fellow AAF members they may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
AAF CENTRAL REGION CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Bill Richmond, Chair
Laurel McEuen, Vice Chair
Jen Bryant, Sec/Treasurer
Shannon Steffke, Immed. Past Chair
Chris McDonald, Past Chair
Dave Perry, Past Chair
Tom Woody, Past Chair
Angelo Antoline, Past Chair
Hana Chughtai, AdFed MN
Sara Johnson, AdFed MN
Kate Kearns, AdFed MN
Althea Larson, AdFed MN
© 2025 AAF CENTRAL REGION
pro-bono site design and creative provided by Chris McDonald, Designworks Advertising
pro-bono conference branded creative elements provided by Sophie Rogers, Open Coffin Creative