Performance marketing is evolving faster than most teams can adapt. Following the onset of AI-driven product discovery, creator-led commerce, and shifting attribution models, the old rules are being rewritten in real time.

What worked even a year ago may no longer deliver the same results, and chasing every new trend is no longer sustainable.

That reality is what makes ThinkTank Americas 2026 essential.

On April 20-22, set in the heart of Chicago, Awin’s flagship event for North and South America is designed for marketers who want practical clarity, not theory.

Over two and a half days, attendees will dig into what’s really working across affiliate, influencer, and performance marketing, and how to prepare for what’s happening next.

The focus is on execution, measurable impact, and learning from teams who are actively shaping the industry. With the agenda now live, here’s a look at some example sessions you can learn from.

Separating hype from durability

One of the biggest challenges facing marketing organizations today is separating durable strategies from short-lived hype. Our agenda explores how creativity and cultural relevance can drive real growth, how to troubleshoot campaigns when performance stalls, and which tools are earning long-term adoption. The goal is to help teams invest their time and budgets where it matters most.

That mindset is reinforced by the opening keynote from Mike Cessario , founder and CEO of Liquid Death (April 21, 10:15-11:00). His story shows how bold creativity and cultural fluency helped scale canned water into a $1.4 billion brand, offering practical lessons on making campaigns memorable while staying performance driven.

The AI-driven shift

AI is also reshaping how consumers discover brands and how partnerships are measured.

Sessions on AI-powered affiliate strategies will explore how generative and predictive technologies are changing workflows, attribution, and consumer behavior.

Among these, our day-two keynote from Lily Ray (April 22, 09:30-10:15), recognized as USA Today’s top SEO expert, will bring a clear-eyed view of how AI-driven discovery impacts visibility, trust, and affiliate performance today, with takeaways you can apply immediately.

Creators, partnerships, and measurable Impact

Creator-led topics round out the conversation, with a focus on building scalable influencer programs that deliver authentic engagement and measurable returns.

Learn about the mechanics of building a creator-friendly program with Christian Mairs on our tech track (April 21, 16:00-16:40) straight after heading to Gabrielle Pajer’s influencer panel (April 21, 15:20-16:00) to hear what creators themselves look for in a brand partnership.

Along the way, attendees will learn how to integrate PR, content, and commerce into cohesive strategies that work for both brands and creators.

Why attend

ThinkTank Americas 2026 is where performance marketing moves from discussion to action.

Join us in Chicago from April 20-22, 2026, and leave with strategies your team can put to work right away. Seats are limited. Reserve your spot today.