Digital Marketing Day is now...
Market Forward by AAW
April 8–9, 2026
Canad Inns Polo Park | Winnipeg
Market Forward is a 1.5-day conference that brings together marketers, creatives, strategists, and leaders from across Manitoba to explore what’s shaping the future of our industry — through thoughtful keynotes, practical breakout sessions, and honest conversations that go beyond surface-level trends.
Two ways to attend:
Choose the full conference (April 8–9) or join us for Day 2 only (April 9).
Full Conference
(April 8–9)
April 9th Only
(single day)
Market Forward by AAW
The evolution of Digital Marketing Day
April 8–9, 2026
Canad Inns Polo Park | Winnipeg
Market Forward is a 1.5-day conference that brings together marketers, creatives, strategists, and leaders from across Manitoba to explore what’s shaping the future of our industry — through thoughtful keynotes, practical breakout sessions, and honest conversations that go beyond surface-level trends.
Two ways to attend:
Choose the full conference (April 8–9) or join us for Day 2 only (April 9).
Full Conference (April 8–9)
April 9th Only
(single day)
We Listened. We Evolved.
For years, Digital Marketing Day brought Manitoba’s marketing, advertising, and communications community together for practical insight and fresh ideas. And we heard you: you wanted more depth, more meaningful conversation, and more opportunities to connect beyond just the tactics.
Market Forward by AAW is the next step — a reimagined 1.5-day conference designed to help professionals not just keep up with change, but actively shape what comes next.
Through a mix of keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and moderated panels, Market Forward explores how technology, storytelling, trust, accessibility, and community are shaping the future of marketing — and how we can respond with intention.
the speakers.
Buffy Davey
Social Media for Nonprofits: Build Engagement Without Burning Out
Practical strategies for nonprofit social media when time and capacity are limited. Learn what actually drives engagement, how to choose platforms wisely, and how to build sustainable habits that don’t take over your week.
Matthew Cutler
The Ritual of Belonging: Story, Identity, and Marketing in 2026
Why attention isn’t enough anymore — belonging is the real competitive edge. Learn how ritual, identity, and storytelling shape trust and participation, and how to build communications that create durable community.
Nicole Harris
Reputation Is the New ROI: Trust and Visibility in a Digital World
Reputation shapes results — especially when change or crisis hits. Walk through real-world case studies and leave with practical steps for building credibility, strengthening visibility, and communicating with clarity and consistency.
Jill Knaggs
The Hidden Power of Staying the Course
A case study on creative continuity and why familiar campaigns often outperform constant reinvention. Learn how to evaluate creative performance, tune out unhelpful noise, and treat creativity as a long-term asset.
David Hawthorne
The Long Game: Attribution, Brand, and What Really Drives Growth
Measurement is getting smarter — but it doesn’t automatically mean better decisions. Explore the tension between short-term metrics and long-term value, and how brand and creativity drive sustainable growth over time.
Steven Maxted
Podcasting as a Marketing Channel
A practical guide to building a podcast that supports storytelling, brand, and business development. Cover the essentials: tools, workflows, distribution, and how to turn episodes into a repeatable content engine.
Mitch Joel
Marketing Forward: How the next era of marketing moves beyond attention… into intimacy, intelligence, and impact
Marketing is undergoing its most profound shift since digital began. Move from the Attention Economy to the Intimacy Economy, explore AI-powered one-to-X communication, and discover how to build intelligent, deeply human marketing systems that create compounding value instead of disappearing content.
the emcee.
Marty Fisher, Show and Tell Agency
Marty is the founder of Show and Tell, a marketing agency he has grown over 25 years from a one-person startup into a North American powerhouse serving brands across industries, including Fortune 500 companies.
Curious by nature and always focused on what’s next, Marty has spent his career exploring emerging marketing technologies — from building his first client website in 1998 to leading AI adoption strategies today. He’s known for helping businesses identify the right channels, platforms, and tools to drive real results.
With a B.A. in Economics from the University of Guelph, Marty is also an active mentor and investor, supporting the next generation of founders while continuing to push the boundaries of modern marketing.
convos.
DAY 1
Natalie Bell
The Influencer Playbook: What Works in Today’s Creator Economy (panel)
Day 1 — Wednesday, April 8, 2026
An honest panel on creator partnerships beyond follower counts and vanity metrics. Learn what creators look for, red flags that ruin collaborations, and how to structure partnerships that feel authentic and perform.
Moderated by Natalie Bell, a Winnipeg-based content creator and community connector with over 13 years of experience navigating the creator economy from early blogging to today’s multi-platform landscape.
Lyndsay
@discoverelle
I’m Lyndsay, I’m a mom of three and the person behind Discoverelle on Instagram and Tiktok, where I share daily moments from family life, travel, and real life through Instagram and blog posts. With eight years of working experience, I bring a unique perspective on showing everyday life authentically while creating content that connects with real people.
Vivian
@hungryinwpg
Vivian is a food and travel creator who highlights culture through cuisine, with a focus on ethnic foods and authentic experiences.
As a faceless creator, her content lets the food and experience speak for itself first.
Peace
@peaceoge
Hi, I'm Peace Ogebule, a lifestyle content creator who focuses on authenticity, storytelling, and community-building. I share real experiences around personal growth, like navigating university life and transitioning into post-grad life, wellness, beauty, and trying new things.
Lily & Josh
@wpgeats
WpgEats was born out of a love for food, but today we work on all kinds of content from travel and lifestyle collaborations with brands like Destination Vancouver and Mark’s, to working with some of the most recognizable
food brands in the world
DAY 2
Kelly Thibodeau
Changemakers in Accessibility: Why Inclusive Marketing Matters (panel)
Day 2— Thursday, April 8 2026
What does accessibility really look like in the real world — beyond checklists, guidelines, and good intentions?
In this moderated panel, you’ll hear from changemakers shaping more accessible digital experiences through both lived experience and professional practice. From design and development to advocacy within large organizations, these speakers are helping redefine what inclusive marketing looks like in action — and why it matters.
Moderated by Kelly Thibodeau, this conversation will explore how accessibility shows up in everyday marketing and digital communication, the barriers that still exist, and the practical steps that can move the work forward in meaningful ways.
Julie Chapko
Accessibility Specialist, Winnipeg Airports Authority
Julie works across operations, communications, and service design at Winnipeg Airports Authority. As a hard-of-hearing professional, she brings a lived-experience lens to building accessibility into systems from the start — not as an afterthought.
Ashleigh Lodge
Product Team Lead, Neovation Learning Solutions
Ashleigh leads a multidisciplinary product team building large-scale eLearning platforms. Diagnosed as AuDHD, she advocates for inclusive digital design grounded in both professional practice and lived experience.
Robyn Kacperski
Brand Strategist & Founder, Little Ghost Creative
Robyn builds immersive, accessible brands for experience-led businesses. Living with Multiple Sclerosis, she blends systems thinking and human-centred strategy to reduce barriers and create brands that work for more people.
the schedule.
DAY 1
Wednesday, April 8 2026
12:30 pm
Registration & arrival
1:00 pm
Welcome & opening remarks
1:15 pm
The Influencer Playbook: What Works in Today’s Creator Economy
Panel discussion moderated by Natalie Bell
2:15 pm
[BREAK]
2:30 pm
Podcasting as a Marketing Channel
Steven Maxted
3:30 pm
Day one wrap-up
3:35 - 5:00 pm
Networking reception
DAY 2
Thursday, April 9 2026
8:30 am
Registration & coffee
9:00 am
Opening remarks
9:15 am
Reputation Is the New ROI: Trust and Visibility in a Digital World
Nicole Harris
10:30 am
Marketing Forward: How the next era of marketing moves beyond attention… into intimacy, intelligence, and impact
Mitch Joel
11:30 am
The Ritual of Belonging: Story, Identity, and Marketing in 2026
Matthew Cutler
12:30
[LUNCH]
1:30 pm
Breakout sessions (choose one)
Changemakers in Accessibility: Why Inclusive Marketing Matters
Kelly Thibodeau
Social Media for Nonprofits: Build Engagement Without Burning Out
Buffy Davey
2:30 pm
[BREAK]
2:45 pm
The Long Game: Attribution, Brand, and What Really Drives Growth
David Hawthorne
3:45 pm
Conference Close
Breakfast and lunch are included with Day 2 registration.
A detailed agenda with room assignments will be shared with registered attendees.
Digital Marketing Day is now...
Full Conference
(April 8–9)
April 9th Only
(single day)
Two ways to attend. One shared goal: better work, stronger community.
Our Sponsors.
Market Forward is made possible through the support of our sponsors and partners. Their investment helps strengthen learning, connection, and visibility across Manitoba’s marketing and communications community.
Reception Sponsor.
The April 8 networking reception is proudly supported by:
Presentaion Sponsor.
Media Sponsors.
Thank you to our media partners for helping share the stories and conversations behind Market Forward.
Headshot Sponsor
Friends of AAW
Become a Sponsor.
Market Forward is AAW’s reimagined 1.5-day marketing conference, designed to offer deeper learning, stronger networking, and expanded visibility for partners.
We are currently accepting sponsors across multiple tiers, including:
Platinum Sponsor (2 available)
Signature Sponsor
Presentation Sponsor
Reception SponsorMedia Sponsors
Headshot Sponsor
Media & Value-in-Kind Partnerships
Friends of AAW
Sponsorship packages include event passes, on-site visibility, brand placement across printed and digital materials, social promotion, and opportunities to engage directly with attendees.
Download Sponsorship & Advertising Package (PDF)
Interested in discussing a custom partnership?
Contact us to explore sponsorship options.
BECOME A MEMBER
There's no better time to join Manitoba's largest advertising, marketing and graphic design community.
Advertising Association of Winnipeg
P.O. Box 2728, Stn. Main., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4B3