Key Event for Industry Leaders
The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) is preparing to host a significant event that will bring together marketers, brand leaders, and senior business executives in Lagos. This gathering aims to explore critical topics such as the future of brand trust, artificial intelligence, and business growth as companies adapt to an ever-changing economic and technological landscape.
2026 Annual General Meeting and Executive Leadership Session
Scheduled for Thursday, 23 July 2026, at the Radisson Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Executive Leadership Session will serve as a platform for industry stakeholders to engage in discussions on governance, leadership, consumer behavior, innovation, and the evolving relationship between brands and their customers.
The AGM, set to begin at 10:00 a.m., will provide members with the opportunity to review the current state of the association, discuss key governance issues, and elect a new Executive Council that will oversee ADVAN’s next phase of leadership, advocacy, and industry development.
Following the AGM, the Executive Leadership Session will take place at 12:00 noon. This session will feature conversations around some of the most pressing issues shaping the future of businesses and brands, including economic uncertainty, digital disruption, artificial intelligence, and the growing need for consumer trust.
The Future of Brand Trust: Thriving in an AI-Powered World
One of the highlights of the session will be a special conversation titled The Future of Brand Trust: Thriving in an AI-Powered World. This discussion will explore how organizations can build, protect, and sustain credibility in an era where artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing business operations, marketing strategies, and consumer engagement.
Crystal Berger, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EBO and Vettify™, will lead this discussion. A technology entrepreneur focused on developing trust infrastructure for the artificial intelligence era, Berger brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as a Senior Booking Producer and National Feature Host at Fox News. She spent over a decade shaping media conversations and helping determine the voices and perspectives audiences engaged with across a network of more than 1,300 television and radio affiliates.
During her media career, she facilitated more than 140,000 media bookings, gaining extensive experience in understanding how trust, credibility, and information influence public perception. ADVAN believes Berger’s participation will provide valuable insights into the challenges businesses face in maintaining trust as AI-generated content, automated systems, and digital platforms continue to transform the information ecosystem.
Berger’s work has received recognition, including a US$200,000 TEDCO Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment for EBO, the NAACP Freedom Fighter Award, and features in Forbes. She has also been recognized by JPMorgan Chase, T. Rowe Price, and Wells Fargo for innovation and social impact.
Economic Insights and Growth Strategies
In addition to the AI trust conversation, the Executive Leadership Session will feature Dr. Doyin Salami, Managing Director/CEO of KAINOS Edge Consulting Ltd and former Economic Adviser to the President of Nigeria. As the keynote speaker, Dr. Salami will deliver a session titled The New Rules of Growth: Navigating Nigeria’s Evolving Economy and Consumer Landscape.
His presentation will focus on the economic realities shaping business performance, consumer behavior, and growth opportunities in Nigeria. He is expected to address how businesses can respond to inflationary pressures, changing consumer spending patterns, policy developments, and digital transformation while developing strategies that support resilience and competitiveness.
With decades of experience spanning economic policy, academia, strategy, and public sector advisory, Dr. Salami is recognized for his expertise on Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment and the relationship between economic trends, business performance, and consumer confidence.
Industry Perspective and Commitment
Commenting on the event, President of ADVAN, Osamede Uwubanmwen, emphasized the importance of the gathering. “The 2026 AGM and Executive Leadership Session come at a defining moment for our industry. As business leaders navigate a rapidly changing economy and an increasingly AI-driven marketplace, the need for insight, agility, and trust has never been more critical,” Uwubanmwen said.
He added that bringing together experts such as Dr. Salami and Berger would create a platform for meaningful conversations that would help members lead confidently, grow sustainably, and build brands capable of thriving in a changing world.
According to Uwubanmwen, the AGM and leadership session reflect ADVAN’s commitment to equipping members with strategic foresight, leadership knowledge, and industry insights required to navigate transformation and drive sustainable brand growth.
Advancing the Industry
The association said the 2026 AGM and Executive Leadership Session reinforce its role as a platform for industry advancement, executive engagement, and knowledge sharing within Nigeria’s marketing and advertising ecosystem.
ADVAN encouraged members to attend both the AGM and the leadership session, describing the engagement as a timely platform for discussions on some of the most important issues influencing the future of brands and businesses.
The Advertisers Association of Nigeria is the umbrella body for advertisers in Nigeria and advocates responsible marketing communications, brand growth, and industry development. The association promotes best practices, policy advocacy, professional development, and thought leadership across the marketing ecosystem.
