Welcome to The Breakpoint

A letter to AAF members, industry partners, speakers and guests from Candy Pittman, Governor of AAF District 10.

Dear AAF Members, Industry Partners, Speakers, and Guests:

On behalf of the American Advertising Federation District 10, I am delighted to welcome you to The Breakpoint, our 2026 District 10 Summit at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.

Over the next three days, advertising and marketing leaders from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas will come together to learn from one another, share ideas, celebrate our industry, and consider what is next for the work we do. In a profession shaped by constant change, this gathering gives us an important opportunity to pause, connect, and make intentional decisions about how we lead, create, and serve the communities and brands that rely on us.

This year’s theme asks an important question: When the wave hits, where will you be? The answer begins with being present, prepared, and willing to engage with the changes shaping our industry. The Breakpoint is designed to help us do exactly that through meaningful conversations, practical learning, fresh perspectives, and the relationships that make our AAF community stronger.

I encourage you to take full advantage of your time here. Attend sessions that stretch your thinking. Participate in conversations with colleagues outside your usual market or discipline. Meet someone new. Share the challenges and successes that have shaped your work, and leave room for the ideas that may reshape it.

We are fortunate to have an outstanding group of speakers, presenters, sponsors, volunteers, and leaders contributing to this year’s summit. Their generosity, expertise, and dedication make this experience possible. I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to our host community, AAF-Houston, and everyone whose time and effort brought The Breakpoint to life.

AAF District 10 is proud to represent a talented, resilient, and forward-looking network of professionals, local clubs, and collegiate chapters. Together, we do more than respond to change. We set standards, create opportunities, and help define the future of advertising.

Thank you for joining us in Galveston. I hope your time at The Breakpoint is energizing, insightful, and memorable.