$750*

*early bird discount available for Media Trends Executive members

YOUR PASS INCLUDES:

Access to the event featuring newsworthy conversations hosted by Axios Media Correspondent Sara Fischer and Media Reporter Kerry Flynn.

A networking reception following the program with top professionals across the media industry.

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TICKETS
AGENDA
Where to stay
SPEAKERS
Event Venue
PURCHASE TICKETS
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WHY IT MATTERS

MB (LIVE) heads to Chicago this year, where strong member demand meets a deep bench of top PR and creative talent, access to major brand headquarters and a cultural backdrop perfect for uniquely immersive programming.

In today’s high-stakes environment, a brand is only as strong as its ability to stay agile amid fast-moving tech shifts, policy volatility and rising workplace expectations.

AGENDA at-a-glance

See the bottom of the page for full agenda details

Wednesday, September 16

A Night at Wrigley

5:00pm - 8:00pm CT

Kick off MB (LIVE) with a quintessential Chicago experience at Wrigley Field as the Cubs take on the Atlanta Braves.

Transportation will depart from Chicago Winery (739 N. Clark St.) at 5:00pm, arriving at the ballpark around 5:40pm ahead of the 6:45pm first pitch.

Thursday, September 17

MB (LIVE)

9:30am - 5:30pm CT

Dive into a dynamic day of programming featuring big ideas, meaningful panel discussions, and mainstage conversations. See the full agenda for more details.

Reception

5:30pm - 9:00pm CT

Round out MB (LIVE) with high-energy post-event celebrations with your community set in one of Chicago’s most iconic venues, designed to capture the city’s signature vibe and bring your experience to life.

See the bottom of the page for full agenda details

Moments from MB (LIVE) 2025 in Austin, TX

ticket information

$1,600*

 🎟️ Discounts are available for Mixing Board, powered by Axios members.

YOUR TICKET INCLUDES:

🤝 Access to a full day of MB (LIVE) programming, featuring practical conversations and industry insights.

🥂 Shared experiences, including meals and intentional moments to connect with fellow members and peers.


PURCHASE TICKETS
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Please review our ticket refund policy here.

MB (LIVE) LOOK BOOK

Get a first look at who you'll be in the room with.

 

Explore the look book to see who else is joining us and get familiar with fellow attendees ahead of the event.

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GUEST SPEAKERS

Kathy Baird

SVP, Chief Impact Officer, McDonald’s USA

Adam Collins

Chief Communications Officer, Reddit

Josh Earnest

EVP of Communications and Advertising, United Airlines

Alex Normington

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Cook County Health

Nick Shields

Chief External Affairs and Civic Engagement Officer, Cook County Health

Member panelists

Brianna Barker

Head of Global Internal Communications, DoorDash


TRUST UNDER PRESSURE

Jake DiGregorio

Communications Lead,

NASCAR Chicago


FINDING COMMON GROUND

Sean Garrett

Vice President, Brand and Communications, Affirm


TRUST UNDER PRESSURE

Steven Gray

Group Head of Technology Communications and Engagement, Barclays

THE AI COMMS SHIFT

Genevieve Grdina

Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Rivian

FINDING COMMON GROUND

Erin Miller

Vice President, Global Corporate Communications, Yahoo

TRUST UNDER PRESSURE

Julie Mossler

Founder, Common Fortune Group


THE AI COMMS SHIFT

Erica Rodriguez Pompen

Vice President, Communications, U.S, Nebius

THE AI COMMS SHIFT

Abigail Shilling

VP, Communications for Land O’Lakes, Inc.

FINDING COMMON GROUND

Jordan Valdés

Founder, Varnum Street Strategies

FINDING COMMON GROUND

Ali Winkle *

Founder and CEO, Just Drive Media


THE AI COMMS SHIFT

* Sponsor panelist

Meet the team

Tristyn Hassani

Head of Community, Mixing Board, powered by Axios

Eleanor Hawkins 

Moderator, Axios

Simon Hernandez-Arthur

Writer, Axios Communicators

Roy Schwartz

CEO, Axios HQ

MB (LIVE) AGENDA

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

5:00pm | Transportation departs Chicago Winery for Wrigley Field

Please arrive at 739 N. Clark St. no later than 4:50pm.

5:40pm | Arrive at Wrigley Field

6:45pm | First pitch

9:30pm | Game ends

Thursday, September 17, 2026

8:30am | Morning walk around the Loop

Meet at 401 N Michigan Ave, in front of the Apple Store.

9:30am | Doors open for breakfast and networking

10:45am | Welcome remarks

Tristyn Hassani and Simon Hernandez-Arthur

10:50am | Member Panel: Trust Under Pressure

Eleanor Hawkins with Brianna Barker, Sean Garrett and Erin Miller

Communications leaders will explore the evolving role of brand communications and how organizations are building trust, managing reputation and driving business impact in an increasingly complex environment.

11:25am | Editorial Interview

McDonald's Kathy Baird + Eleanor Hawkins

11:50 am | Member Panel: The AI Comms Shift

Tristyn Hassani with Steven Gray, Julie Mossler, Erica Rodriguez Pompen and Ali Winkle

Communications leaders will discuss AI's impact on content creation, workflows, executive communications and reputation management. They'll share practical lessons on responsible adoption and the evolving role of communicators in an AI-enabled world.

Sponsored by Just Drive Media

12:15pm | Lunch

1:30pm | Editorial Interview

United Airlines' Josh Earnest + Eleanor Hawkins

2:00pm | Editorial Interview

Reddit's Adam Collins + Simon Hernandez-Arthur

2:20pm | Member Panel: Finding Common Ground

Simon Hernandez-Arthur with Jake DiGregorio, Genevieve Grdina, Abigail Shilling and Jordan Valdés

Communications leaders will discuss how organizations with broad, diverse constituencies find common ground in an increasingly fragmented culture. How do they listen to different audiences and make decisions when there’s no single message that works for everyone.

2:45pm | 2-on-1 Editorial Interview

Alex Normington & Nick Shields + Simon Hernandez-Arthur 

3:05pm | Break

3:30pm | Go Deeper: Interactive Workshops

Dig into timely challenges facing communications leaders through small-group, interactive sessions designed for practical discussion, peer exchange and actionable takeaways.

Beyond GEO: How Communications Shapes What AI Knows About Your Brand

Showing up in AI-generated answers is only the beginning. Led by Shelby Corradino, Paul Guild and Ali Winkle, this session explores how the sources, narratives and signals behind those answers shape what AI knows about your brand and how communicators can measure their influence, strengthen authority and turn AI visibility into action.

Sponsored by Just Drive Media

Managing Reputation From the Inside Out

Workplace anxiety doesn’t stay inside an organization. Declining employee trust and engagement can create operational strain and eventually become an external reputational risk. This session, led by Burson's Stacey Zolt Hara, explores how communications leaders can spot early warning signs, address internal unease and protect reputation before issues surface externally.

Sponsored by Burson

5:10pm | Closing remarks

Tristyn Hassani and Simon Hernandez-Arthur

5:30pm | Wine, cheese + chocolate pairing at Chicago Winery

6:30pm | Evening reception at Altezza Rooftop Bar

101 E. Erie St., Chicago, IL 60611

9:00pm | Event concludes

Chicago Winery

739 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60654

This event is invite-only, and all attendees must have a ticket.


Registration will close when capacity is reached.


Please review our ticket refund policy here.


MB (LIVE) heads to Chicago this year, where strong member demand meets a deep bench of top PR and creative talent, access to major brand headquarters and a cultural backdrop perfect for uniquely immersive programming.

RSVP
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Please contact events@axios.com with any event or ticketing questions.


Please contact hello@mixingboard.co with any membership questions.

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