Stay Curious

Letter from the President

October 2026 | Charlotte AMA

One of the things I love most about marketing is that you can never really know it all.

There’s always something new to discover whether a technology changing the way we work, a consumer behavior we didn’t see coming, a campaign that makes us stop and think, or an unexpected idea from another industry that sparks a completely different way of looking at a problem.

That’s why I believe one of the most important qualities a marketer can have isn’t a specific skill or even a certain number of years of experience. It’s curiosity.

Curiosity pushes us to ask why. Why did that campaign work? Why did consumers respond the way they did? Why is one brand connecting with its audience while another is struggling to break through? And perhaps most importantly, what can I learn from it?

As marketers, we have an incredible opportunity to be curious about the world around us. We can look beyond our own industries, job titles, and areas of expertise to find inspiration. A conversation with someone in a completely different field can lead to a new idea. A brand you’ve never paid much attention to can suddenly make you rethink how you approach your own work. Even something as simple as noticing an interesting ad while scrolling through your phone, listening to a podcast, or walking through a store can make you stop and think about what made it effective.

Curiosity also means being willing to challenge what we think we already know.

And in a marketing landscape that continues to evolve so quickly, that mindset has become even more important. New tools and technologies are changing how we create, analyze, and connect with audiences. Consumer expectations continue to shift. The channels we use today may look very different a few years from now.

We don’t have to have all the answers. But we do need to keep asking questions.

That’s one of the things I value about being part of the AMA Charlotte community. Some of the best learning doesn’t happen in a formal presentation. It happens in the conversations we have with other marketers. Sharing an idea over coffee, meeting someone new at a happy hour, talking about a challenge we’re facing at work, or simply hearing a perspective that makes us look at something differently.

You never know which conversation might spark your next idea.

So this month, I want to challenge you to stay curious.

Read something outside your usual area of expertise. Pay attention to the brands and campaigns you encounter every day. Try a new tool. Ask your customers or colleagues a question you haven’t asked before. Connect with someone whose career or industry looks different from yours. And when you find something interesting, share it with someone else.

You never know where the next great idea will come from.

As we move through the fall, I hope you’ll make time not only to keep growing as a marketer, but to stay curious about the people, ideas, and experiences around you. And, of course, I hope you’ll join us for one of our upcoming AMA Charlotte gatherings and bring that curiosity with you.

Because sometimes the best ideas aren’t found by looking harder at what we already know. They’re found by being curious enough to look somewhere new.

See you around Charlotte!

A New Board Year, A New Opportunity to Belong

Letter from the President

August 2026 | Charlotte AMA

There’s something about the start of a new board year that feels a lot like the beginning of a new school year. Even though the calendar says we're well into summer, there's a renewed sense of energy, excitement, and possibility. Fresh ideas are flowing, calendars are filling up, and our board is already hard at work laying the foundation for another impactful year for AMA Charlotte.

Since our new board year began in July, we've been meeting to reflect on where we've been, celebrate what we've accomplished together, and, most importantly, ask ourselves one question: How can we bring even more value to our members and the Charlotte marketing community?

Those conversations have been inspiring. They're filled with thoughtful discussions about the programs we create, the connections we foster, the resources we provide, and the experiences we want every member to have. While we're excited about what's ahead, our focus isn't simply on planning more events or checking items off a to-do list. It's about creating meaningful opportunities for marketers at every stage of their careers to learn, connect, and grow.

One thing that continues to stand out in these conversations is the power of community.

As marketers, we're constantly adapting to new technologies, shifting consumer behaviors, and an ever-changing industry landscape. Having a community of peers to learn from, exchange ideas with, and celebrate wins alongside has never been more valuable. AMA Charlotte exists because of that shared commitment to helping one another succeed.

What's exciting is that there are so many ways to be part of that community.

Maybe that means attending one of our educational events, joining us for a networking social, or becoming a member. Maybe it's volunteering for a committee, mentoring another marketer, writing a blog post, sharing your expertise as a speaker, or simply introducing yourself to someone new at an event. Every level of involvement strengthens our chapter and helps create the welcoming, collaborative community that makes AMA Charlotte so special.

Our board may help guide the direction of the chapter, but it's our members who bring it to life.

As we look ahead to the months to come, you'll see exciting programming, opportunities to connect with fellow marketers, and new ways to engage with the chapter. We hope you'll make AMA Charlotte part of your professional journey this year, not just by attending events, but by finding the level of involvement that feels right for you.

Whether you've been with us for years or are considering joining us for your very first event, we're glad you're here. Thank you for being part of this incredible community and for helping us continue to grow, innovate, and support one another.

Here's to another year of learning, collaboration, and building something great together. I can't wait to see what we'll accomplish.

See you at an upcoming AMA Charlotte event!

Building Momentum in March

Letter from the President

March 2026 | Charlotte AMA

March in Charlotte always feels like a reset. The days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, and there’s a renewed sense of energy in the air. As marketers, we know that seasonality doesn’t just impact consumer behavior; it impacts mindset. As we step into the final month of Q1, this is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves: Are we showing up as the marketers and leaders we intended to be this year?

At AMA Charlotte, March is about momentum. Q1 often starts fast and loud: new budgets, new strategies, new goals. By March, reality sets in. Campaigns are live. Metrics are telling stories. Many of us are evaluating what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to shift. This is where community becomes essential. Marketing can feel isolating when you’re deep in dashboards, deliverables, and deadlines. One of the most powerful reminders I continue to experience as President of AMA Charlotte is this: you don’t have to navigate this industry alone.

The Charlotte marketing community is incredibly talented, collaborative, and generous with knowledge, and that’s exactly what we aim to cultivate through AMA. Our March programming reflects that spirit of connection and innovation.

This month’s Lunch & Learn will feature Matthew Wilson discussing Predictable Influence — a timely and relevant conversation that goes beyond buzzwords to explore how brands and professionals can scale influence strategically and authentically in today’s evolving digital landscape. If you’re thinking about visibility, credibility, and growth in 2026 and beyond, this is one you won’t want to miss. (You can find full details and registration on our website and Eventbrite.)

We’re also continuing two of our most-loved recurring events:

Start Your Day with AMA: our casual morning networking series designed to bring marketers together over coffee and real conversation. Whether you’re job searching, hiring, exploring new ideas, or simply looking to meet others in the industry, this space is intentionally welcoming and low pressure. Come as you are, stay as long as your schedule allows, and leave with new connections.

Sunset Social: our monthly after-hours gathering and one of my personal favorites. There’s something powerful about stepping away from your desk and connecting face-to-face with other marketers who understand the challenges and opportunities of this work. These evenings are relaxed, energizing, and often lead to collaborations that extend far beyond the event itself. (AMA Charlotte)

If you’ve been attending events but haven’t yet become a member, consider this your invitation.

AMA Charlotte is one of the largest professional marketing organizations in the Queen City, offering educational programming, networking opportunities, and access to a vibrant community of professionals across industries and career stages. Membership provides access to resources, thought leadership, and relationships that can truly accelerate your professional growth. (AMA Charlotte) More importantly, it gives you a seat at the table in shaping the future of marketing in Charlotte.

And if you’re already a member — thank you. Your presence, participation, and willingness to show up for one another are what make this chapter special. Every conversation at an event, every new connection made, and every idea shared contributes to a stronger, more innovative marketing community in our city.

As we move into spring and close out the first quarter of the year, I encourage you to take a moment to check in with yourself. What do you want the rest of 2026 to look like? What risks are you ready to take? What relationships do you want to build?

Then come build them with us.

I hope to see you at an upcoming Lunch & Learn, Start Your Day, or Sunset Social soon. Until then, keep pushing boundaries, stay curious, and don’t forget to enjoy the process along the way.

With gratitude,
Lily Commander
President, AMA Charlotte