NAMIC Next sets 2026 Leadership & Impact Experience for Oct. 5 in New York

NAMIC Next will hold its 2026 Leadership & Impact Experience on Oct. 5 in New York City, bringing together media, entertainment, technology and sports leaders for programming focused on leadership, AI and the future of the business. The event will also honor executives and companies across the industry and spotlight the organization’s long-running leadership development work.

Why it matters: - NAMIC Next is using its annual fall event to connect leaders across media, entertainment, technology and sports around practical management skills and industry change. - The 2026 program is built around "The Leadership Effect," with a focus on how strong leaders create lasting impact beyond their own careers. - The event also doubles as a recognition platform for executives and companies shaping the industry’s future.

What happened: - NAMIC Next unveiled the lineup for its 2026 Leadership & Impact Experience, set for Oct. 5 in New York City. - The organization is entering its 40th year. - The event is designed for leaders at every level, from early-career professionals to senior executives. - The day will include a keynote from Freddie Ravel, founder of Keynote Maestro and Life in Tune. - Two one-on-one fireside chats are planned with Albert Cheng, head of AI Studios at Amazon MGM Studios, and Rita Ferro, president of global advertising at The Walt Disney Company. - More speakers will be announced.

The details: - Planned speakers include Val Boreland of Versant, Troy Brown Jr., Colin Cheadle of APEX Consulting Group, Aniefre Essien of 310 Originals, Bree Frank of Evolution Media, Michele Ghee of PlayersTV, Jay Harris of ESPN SportsCenter, Ryan Harris, Kristin Bredes LaFemina of Major League Soccer, Alexis Nunes of ESPN, Michelle Rice of TV One and CLEO TV, and Corey Smith of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. - Programming will cover leadership in the age of AI, building pipelines for emerging leaders and trends shaping the future of the sports business. - Sandy Nuñez, NAMIC Next CEO and president, said the annual experience gives leaders a trusted place for candid conversations and meaningful connections. - The event will also include the Leadership & Impact Awards Luncheon and the ELDP Leadership & Alumni Reception. - The awards luncheon will be hosted by CNN’s Carolina Peguero. - Award recipients include Albert Cheng for the Alumni Impact Award, Charter Communications for the Corporate Champion Award, Telemundo for the Excellence in Innovation Award, Rita Ferro for the Chairman’s Award, Jasmin Chanana of AMC Global Media for the Innovation Leadership Award, Michelle Strong of A+E Global Media for the Luminary Award and Hena Siddiqi of AMC Global Media for the Next Generation Leader Award. - The evening reception will celebrate NAMIC Next’s Executive Leadership Development Program, or ELDP. - The program has shaped leaders including Albert Cheng, CNN’s Johnita Due, ESPN’s Freddy Rolón and A+E Global Media’s Mark Garner. - Sponsors include ESPN/Disney, Charter Communications, A+E Global Media, AMC Global Media, APG, Creative Artists Agency, Comcast NBCUniversal, Midco, NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, Offscript Worldwide, Optimum, TV One and Versant Media. - Registration and the latest schedule are available at conference information. - NAMIC Next was founded in 1980 and now serves more than 2,500 professionals across 13 local chapters.

Between the lines: - The program mix suggests NAMIC Next is leaning into two themes that matter across the industry: AI adoption and leadership pipeline development. - The awards and alumni reception reinforce the organization’s role as both a professional network and a talent pipeline for diverse leaders. - The speaker lineup spans media, sports, tech and advertising, signaling a broader push to keep the event relevant across adjacent industries.

What's next: - NAMIC Next will announce additional speakers ahead of the Oct. 5 event. - Attendees can register online and check the updated schedule before the conference begins. - The organization will continue using the event to spotlight its ELDP network and next-generation leadership development efforts.