The Breakpoint lineup

The industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries who took the stage at The Breakpoint 2026 in Galveston.

Leaders

The speakers

Innovators and strategists driving change across AAF District 10.

★ Keynote
Alex “AJ” Nydick
Alex “AJ” Nydick
Head of AI Transformation Consultancy
AI Digital
Friday 9:00 AM · Keynote

More Agency Than You Think

Alex López Negrete
Alex López Negrete
President, CEO & Co-Founder
Lopez Negrete Communications
Friday 2:30 PM · Breakout

Built from Culture, Not for It

Arturo Colón
Arturo Colón
Founder & Creative Director
Random People Digital Collective
Friday 10:30 AM · Workshop

Reading the Break: Picking the Right AI Tools for the Wave You Are Actually On

BJ Gerjes
BJ Gerjes
CEO & Summit Co-Chair
Creative Consumer Research
Thursday 5:30 PM · Welcome

Welcome to the Summit

Carlos Hernandez
Carlos Hernandez
Founding Partner + Director
Burning Bones Press
Saturday 10:30 AM · Breakout

Creative Inspiration in the Digital Age: From Ink to Innovation

Claire Ferguson
Claire Ferguson
VP, Assistant General Counsel & Senior Technology Counsel
Gray Media
Friday 1:15 PM · Panel

Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Content

★ Keynote
Cynthia Cooper
Cynthia Cooper
Houston Comets
Saturday 12:00 PM · Luncheon

Fireside Chat with Cynthia Cooper

Edgardo de la Garza
Edgardo de la Garza
Managing Partner
DLG Research
Friday 2:30 PM · Panel

AI, Market Research, and Advertising Insights Panel

Haddie Djemal
Haddie Djemal
Founder - #HIREAJOURNALIST
Djemal Media & Communications
Saturday 1:15 PM · Breakout

Story as Strategy: The Advertiser’s Edge in an AI world

Henry Cadena
Henry Cadena
Cultural Insights & Brand Strategy Director
Leo Burnett Chicago
Friday 2:30 PM · Panel

AI, Market Research, and Advertising Insights Panel

Hollie Maxymillian
Hollie Maxymillian
Account Manager | Design Consultant
Innovative Environments
Friday 4:00 PM · Breakout

Making Waves Before the Show Floor Opens

Jason Brod
Jason Brod
Creative Director
Turtlebox
Saturday 9:00 AM · Keynote

How not to ruin a good thing. Building a brand that can scale without losing its soul.

Jason Hartley
Jason Hartley
Head of Media Innovation & Trust
PMG
Friday 1:15 PM · Panel

Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Content

Linda Schaible
Linda Schaible
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Development
Hearst Houston Media Group
Friday 1:15 PM · Breakout

Bots Without Brains Are No Bueno!

Patrick López Negrete
Patrick López Negrete
VP of Brand Strategy
Lopez Negrete Communications
Friday 2:30 PM · Breakout

Built from Culture, Not for It

Rebecca Burley
Rebecca Burley
Owner & Operator
Purple Page Marketing
Friday 10:30 AM · Workshop

Build Your LinkedIn Content Roadmap for Real Business Relationships

Richard Cisneros
Richard Cisneros
President
Creative Consumer Research
Friday 2:30 PM · Panel

AI, Market Research, and Advertising Insights Panel

Robert Kurtz
Robert Kurtz
Business Outcomes Partner
Basis
Friday 4:00 PM · Breakout

Is Search in Trouble?

★ Keynote
Russell Ybarra
Russell Ybarra
Founder & CEO
Gringo's Tex-Mex
Friday 12:00 PM · Luncheon

From One Restaurant to a Houston Institution: A Fireside Chat with Russell Ybarra

Sally Lechin
Sally Lechin
Business Development Manager
Fifth Ring
Saturday 1:15 PM · Breakout

WOW Marketing: How One Campaign Grew Leads 725% and Reshaped a Business

Stefani Chambers
Stefani Chambers
Founder
El Why
Friday 2:30 PM · Panel

AI, Market Research, and Advertising Insights Panel

Stephen Ives
Stephen Ives
President & CEO
YMCA of Greater Houston
Saturday 2:30 PM · Keynote

From Mission to Message: What Nonprofits Can Teach About Trust and Reputation

Thank you to every speaker

Thank you for sharing your time and ideas with District 10.