State of the Industry 2026

Wed 18th Mar, 2026 – 7:00pm–8:30pm

Posted by APA Admin Posted in Career Development

Speakers:

Wed 18th Mar, 2026
7:00pm–8:30pm

Columbia College Chicago
623 S. Wabash Ave
Room 109, Hokin Hall
Chicago, IL 60605

Tickets:

$10: APA members
$40: General Public
Student free w/School ID

State of the Industry graphic styled like State of the Union

Ignore change, and life moves on without you. This was the lesson from the 1819 short story “Rip Van Winkle” by American author Washington Irving. A couple of hundred years later, this warning remains just as prescient. With that in mind, we’ve assembled a cross-section of ad agency and client-side veterans to have an open dialogue about how creatives are currently sourcing visual talent. The goal is to learn about the structural transformations taking place inside creative departments and discern what you can do to not only adapt but thrive in this new business environment.

Register Now

Note: Active APA members, please email director@apachicago.org to receive a discount code for a $10 registration ticket.

Speakers

  1. Cindy Dababneh, VP, Global Creative Services at Conair
  2. Matt George, Executive Creative Director at Landor
  3. Raphael Cabrera, Associate Creative Director at Dentsu Creative
  4. Julie Maxham, Senior Integrated Producer at FCB Health
  5. Maria Xerogianes, Senior Integrated Producer, Freelance
  6. Rafa Cabrera, Art Director at Dentsu
  7. Dani Jackson-Smith, Founder & Partner at The Cre8tors

Christy Schmid (Panel Moderator) is a Chicago-based producer and founder of Christy Schmid Productions. After starting her career on set as a photo assistant, PA, and production coordinator, she began producing in 2014 and has since led photography and motion projects of all sizes across the commercial and corporate worlds. Christy is also the photo editor at Ripple of Change magazine, where she helps craft visual storytelling with purpose and impact.

Topics to be covered

  • The State of the Industry
  • How Photographers Actually Get Hired (no fluff)
  • Relationships, Access, and Gatekeeping
  • Creative Direction, AI and Authorship
  • Advice Photographers Rarely Hear (but need)

Who should attend

All photographers and industry professionals who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of the forces affecting and reshaping our industry.

Agenda

  • 6:30 PM: Doors open
  • 7:00 PM: Event begins
  • 8:15 PM: Q&A session
  • 8:30 PM: Event ends

Tickets

  • $10: APA members
  • $40: General Public
  • Student free w/School ID

Active APA members please send an email to director@apachicago.org to be emailed a discount code for $10 registration ticket.

Partners

Columbia College Chicago branding

Categories