Committees | Events & Webinars | Email Excellence Center Committee Meeting: AI Empowerment in Email Marketing and Automation (In-Person Only) | ANA

Email Excellence Center Committee Meeting: AI Empowerment in Email Marketing and Automation (In-Person Only)

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Registration is now closed — please email [dmorgan@ana.com] to be added to the waitlist.

Back by popular demand, the ANA Email Excellence Center will be coming to Newport Beach to discuss artificial intelligence! We'll revisit this hot topic and see how AI has progressed into the day-to-day lives of email marketers over the past year.

Join us at the waterfront Hana Haus in Newport Beach for this in-person ANA EEC Committee Meeting focused exclusively on AI in Email and Marketing Automation. Learn from case studies on how marketing professionals are using AI today, what's working, what's not working, and how you can enable AI in your everyday work. Come ready to discuss AI with your fellow email marketers in roundtables and networking, and leave equipped with hands-on knowledge of what you can do next with AI.

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn how and with what tools companies are using AI today to deliver great results for their marketing programs.

  • Hear from experts on the latest in AI and how email marketers can leverage these technological advances.
  • Network with other marketing professionals under the SoCal sun!

This event is in-person only and no virtual option is available.

Agenda:

ATTENDEE CHECK-IN (11:00 – 11:30 am)


OPENING REMARKS (11:35 – 11:45 am)

CENTER STAGE: AI’S ROLE IN THE ENGAGEMENT ERA (11:45 – 12:15 pm)

We’ve entered the Engagement Era—a time when customer expectations for relevance, speed, and consistency have never been higher. Marketers must now deliver truly personalized, connected experiences across every channel and brand touchpoint. In this session, we’ll explore the pivotal role of AI in meeting these expectations and scaling omnichannel engagement.

You’ll gain insights from our latest AI in Retail Global Report, revealing how AI is reshaping consumer behavior and marketing strategies in 2025. Together, we will go behind the curtain into the platform of one of the industry leading ESP’s to see how AI enhances automation, decisioning, content and analytics which will help your teams drive loyalty, increase lifetime value, and unlock faster time to value. You will learn about AI-powered innovations are that on the horizon and how you can bring that back to your email program.

  • Andy Simmons, Senior Product Marketing Manager, SAP Emarsys

EEC AWARDS - NOMINATIONS AND WINNERS (12:15 - 12:30 pm)
The ANA Email Excellence Center Awards recognize top individuals within the email marketing industry through two prestigious awards. See here for more info.

NETWORKING LUNCH (12:30 - 1:30 pm)

AI WROTE THIS EMAIL—AND I HATED IT (1:30 - 2:00 pm)
Let's be honest—most out-of-the-box AI-generated email copy is bad. It's vague, soulless, and sounds like it was written by someone who just discovered marketing buzzwords.

As a marketer of 15+ years, Aubrey has tested AI tools to see if they can actually help our work. Sometimes it's been a timesaver. Sometimes it's been a dumpster fire. This session is a candid, practical look at where AI shines when it comes to strategy and copy—and how to make it suck less.

BUILDING A BETTER DATA STRATEGY: CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT IN THE AI ERA (2:00 - 2:30 pm)
In a recent study, SAP Emarsys found that 77% of all Consumer Products marketers believe they need to “significantly transform” their organization’s customer engagement approach in 2025. As many marketers look for solutions, AI is at the center of the conversation. So how do you know if AI is the answer, and if you're AI-ready?

Through discussion and real-world examples, we'll explore the practical steps marketers must take before flipping the proverbial switch on AI, such as establishing a strong data foundation. You'll learn how to identify when and where to use AI (or not), and how to ensure meaningful and trustworthy results that will build connection and loyalty with customers rather than eroding it.

INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES (2:30 – 3:15 pm)

  • AI for Ideation & Program or Channel Strategy
  • AI for Copy, Content & Creative Generation
  • The Ethics of AI
  • How AI-powered Data is transforming marketing
     

THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD OF AI IN EMAIL (3:15 - 3:45 pm)
When it works, it works. When it doesn't, Al can deliver some, let's say, interesting results. Hear from our panel of marketing experts who will regale us with their good and bad experiences around Al in email.

  • G.M. Ciallella, Digital Marketing and Analytics Manager, Anaheim Ducks NHL Hockey Club
  • Phil Irvine, Fractional CMO, Flavorhawk and Fresh Cut Paper
  • Karen Talavera, Founder & Principal, Synchronicity Marketing
  • Moderated by Jennifer Hoth, Sr. Director of CRM and Loyalty Consulting: North America, Dunnhumby

IS THE JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE? (3:45 - 4:15 pm)
Got opinions? In this lively session, we'll have an open forum where we email marketers can debate the merits of the hot topics of the day. AMP for email? Generative AI? Personalization? Let's debate! We'll open the floor to you, give you "Yes/No" paddles, and see where the hijinks take the conversation.

CLOSING REMARKS (4:15 - 4:30 pm)

POST-EVENT HAPPY HOUR (4:30 - 6:00 pm)
Sponsored by SAP Emarsys

The agenda is subject to change.

Thank you to Synchrony and SAP Emarsys for sponsoring this event.