Agenda

Once you arrive and get settled in at The Cliff House Maine, meet us outside the Oceanview Terrace Salon to pick up your name badge, welcome bag, and a delicious whoopie pie.

The Maine Experience

Join us for drinks, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, and music—highlighting the best that Maine has to offer—while you catch up with the One North team and get to know your peers.

Get settled in and ready to begin our Odyssey.

Since the beginning of civilization, humans have gone to the ocean to dream, to celebrate, and to travel. We'll kick off the Assembly with an exploration of how the ocean pushes us to imagine beyond the shore we stand on. And, despite everything that is new in the worlds of marketing and technology, how relying on enduring strategies can help us tackle any challenge.

In Homer's Odyssey, the hero's epic journey home relied on more than divine intervention at crucial moments. It was his wisdom, contextual understanding, and adaptability that ultimately brought him home to Ithaca. We too require something beyond technological marvels to discover our true north. Although AI offers powerful capabilities, it's our human ability to provide context and meaning that truly charts our course toward success. This session will explore why the hero of this journey isn't found in chat bots or cloud servers, but in the uniquely human capacity to create islands of understanding in an ocean of information.

If you seek to uncover the truth, asking folks what they want is like navigating through a foggy sea—their decisions often aren't anchored in logic. Great ideas are like hidden treasures, discovered through keen observations. We must chart a course that accounts for the human tendency to make illogical and contradictory decisions. We'll show you how to craft a well-rounded approach that combines testing, surveys, and observable patterns, and we'll set sail with a few of our strategists' favorite tools to make those observations actionable.

What makes certain designs so captivating? Like an epic journey, great design guides, inspires, and compels. This talk explores the art—and science—of crafting impactful visual narratives. By deftly weaving together the threads of visual expression, design has the power to create cohesive and authentic experiences with our brands and products.

Ever wonder why some information becomes immediately actionable while others make no impact at all? The same movement that spawned the advances of Artificial Intelligence had some key guidance in understanding how complex systems make decisions. In this talk, we'll explore the concepts of cybernetics in Management to identify how the use of data can have more predictable success in creating action.

Humans are meaning-making creatures. But in a world of changing norms, rapid market currents, and the powerful winds of generative AI, brands must work harder than ever to make themselves seen, heard, and remembered. In this talk, we’ll explore how brands can communicate in ways that create value, attune themselves to significant cultural shifts, and contribute to a more meaningful future.

Keep your head above water in today's AI-driven world. This hands-on workshop will equip you with essential skills to guide your organization through the rising tide of AI opportunities. Together, we'll learn to chart a secure course while avoiding common hazards. Gain the confidence needed—and a proven framework—to steer AI initiatives toward success.

Taste of Maine

Following the first day of sessions, join us for a Clambake! Enjoy good food, great company, and spectacular views.

Complexity is all around us. We're often fooled into thinking the more complex a solution is, the better it is. Finding the correct balance of simplicity and complexity is a balancing act that is hard to accomplish. However, this session will explore how, when done correctly, that balance can lead to delivering meaningful customer experiences.

Despite rapid advancements in marketing, digital, and technology, enduring strategies can tackle any challenge. This panel will explore building strong brands, creating compelling digital experiences, incorporating classic design, establishing flexible technology foundations, utilizing insightful data, understanding users, and leveraging research. Join us to learn how timeless principles drive success in an evolving landscape.

Featuring:

• Mike Adam, Executive Director at JP Morgan Chase‍
• Aaron Forrester, Director, Experience Design at CarMax
• Isaac Heyveld, Senior Director, Design Operations at Salesforce
• Shailee Seddiq, Senior Director Head of Digital at FINRA