The Advertising and Marketing Independent Network (AMIN) Worldwide is holding its annual global conference this week in Bangkok, Thailand on October 8 to 11.  

The global conference will bring together leaders from over 50 independent marketing agencies across the globe and is the network’s first global conference outside the US or Europe. 

Among other topics, discussions will address the collaborative culture of AMIN members and what it takes to work together around geography, capabilities, and capacity to forge strong partnerships and grow employees.  

In a recent survey half of the Americas, APAC and EMEA respondents said they have partnered outside their regions and are seeking more collaborative working opportunities.  

The global network has also announced its newly elected Americas board, which oversees the network’s activities in North America and South America and coordinates activities around the world.  

The new board is made up of eleven members. Previous president, Ali Mahaffy, Co-CEO at Kansas City, MO-based agency Signal Theory,  has transitioned to Board Chair with Kelly Ferguson, leadership team member at the Meyocks Agency in Des Moines, IA, shifting from vice president to President.  

Ferguson said, “Member sentiments are very strong about allying not just on day-to-day business but to ramp up offerings on everything from a Leadership Academy to Centers of Excellence.”  

Other AMIN Americas Board of Directors are: 

Misty Dykema, Co-Owner and Principal of Simantel,  Peoria, IL.  

 John Birnsteel, CEO Doe-Anderson, Louisville, KY. 

Karen Stanton, CFO of Slingshot Agency, Dallas TX,.  

Brendan Cumiskey, president of Dalton Agency, Jacksonville, FL.  

Luis Mezzana, CFO, Marca, Miami. 

Tony Robinson, CFO Signal Theory 

 Michelle Edelman, CEO Peter Mayer Agency, New Orleans 

 Kerry Beutel, president White64 Agency, Tysons, VA. 

John Gatesman, CEO Gatesman Agency, Pittsburgh  

Founded in 1932, the organization has 60+ marketing firms across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.