2025 IHAF Conference & Awards
Join us for our biggest event of the year, where we’ll celebrate two decades of milestones that have shaped the in-house community.
Over the past 20 years, IHAF has built a strong foundation through compelling content and valued relationships. This year’s anniversary conference theme, Reflect & Reimagine, honors our collective achievements by recognizing the contributions of dedicated members and leaders who have helped define the industry.
It’s a time to look back at the advancements that have made a lasting impact, acknowledging the challenges we’ve overcome and the determination that fuels us forward. As we reflect on our past, we also look to the future—reimagining how to meet evolving business needs while fostering cultures of creativity and continuous improvement. We’ll explore ideas, tactics, technologies, and partnerships to propel us into the next decade of success.
Be part of the celebration on November 11–12 at the Omni Boston Seaport Hotel. We’ll rejoice in our rich legacy while baring new ideas. Register today for this special event as we reflect on our respective journeys and reimagine the future together. We look forward to seeing you there!
The IHAF Conference & Awards is open to in-house agency professionals (members and non-members) and value-added suppliers who are members of IHAF. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of a special room rate at our host hotel, available through October 16, 2025.
Event Details
When
Tuesday, November 11 and
Wednesday, November 12
Pricing
IHAF Member (early bird):
$999
IHAF Member (starting 9/1/25):
$1,199
Non-Member (in-house agency):
$2,399
For group pricing, contact IHAF.
Event Agenda
Tuesday, November 11
11:30 – 12:00 p.m.
Conference Check-in
Networking Lunch
Director’s Welcome
1:15 – 2:00 p.m.
Keynote Presentation
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Lightning Talk
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.
Keynote Presentation
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Networking Break
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Lightning Talk
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Keynote Presentation
4:45 – 9:00 p.m.
IHAF Awards Show
(cocktail reception, seated dinner, after party)
Wednesday, November 12
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Keynote Presentation
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.
Lightning Talk
11:00 – 11:35 a.m.
Keynote Panel
11:40 – 12:00 p.m.
Lightning Talk
12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch
1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Breakout Groups (choose one)
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Groups (choose one)
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Keynote Presentation
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
In-House Agency of the Year Award
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Closing Reception
Sessions & Speakers
Keynote
Turning Fear into Fuel for Change
Presented By
Marc Gagnon, Creative Director and Head of IQVIA Brand & Creative Studio, IQVIA
Discover how a small, US-based creative team evolved into a 40-person, full-service internal agency spanning five countries. Initially, this group operated as a task-oriented provider, juggling hundreds of external agencies to meet project deadlines. How could they move beyond executing projects to shaping the future? How could they secure resources to grow while managing an already demanding workload? And most importantly, how could they position themselves as a true strategic partner rather than just order takers? In this session, we hear how the in-house team at IQVIA transformed hesitation into momentum, turning fear into fuel for change.
Speaker Bio
Marc is a seasoned design director with decades of experience spanning NYC ad agencies and Fortune 500 companies. As lead creative director and head of the in-house studio at IQVIA, he has spent the past seven years transforming a small U.S.-based team into a 40-person global creative agency operating across five countries. Their expertise includes creative ideation, digital production, studio operations, video production, and event management. After three decades in New York, Marc now resides in Raleigh, NC.
Keynote
Design Isn't Enough: What It Takes to Succeed In-House
Presented By
Gaemer Gutierrez, VP, Creative, Luxury Brand Holdings
This highly personal keynote traces the arc of a creative career through the eyes of a designer navigating the corporate world—from honing your craft early on, to refining it mid-career, to ultimately leading with creativity at the executive level. Beyond titles and portfolios lies the unspoken journey: navigating personalities and politics, learning how to embrace feedback, weathering restructures, and quietly building influence without losing your creative soul. Whether you’re finding your footing or guiding a team, this talk reveals candid insights and hard-earned wisdom from every stage of the journey.
Speaker Bio
Gaemer has championed brand storytelling and innovation across a range of categories in beauty, food and beverage, healthcare, and wellness to impact a number of high-profile brands like CVS Health, Gap, Living Proof, Staples, Valentino and, most recently, Luxury Brand Holdings. He also collaborated with celebrities including Andre Agassi, Salma Hayek, and Tommy Hilfiger to create their own namesake beauty brands. Gaemer has won numerous design awards and has been nationally recognized as one of the 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business. He is also the host of Invisible Culture, a podcast that is rooted in one truth: behind every face is an untold story.
Keynote
From Startup to Strategic Engine—The Red House Journey
Presented By
Paco Toledo, SVP, Global Head of Creative, Revlon
Since its founding in 2018, Red House has transformed from a tactical creative support team to Revlon’s centralized, omni-channel creative engine—delivering high-impact, brand-aligned content at scale. In this compelling keynote, we hear about the evolution of Red House, highlighting how the team has navigated market disruptions, integrated advanced technologies like Gen AI, and built a flexible, performance-driven model that balances cost-efficiency with creative excellence. We also learn how Red House powers global and local brand campaigns, measures success through operational and performance KPIs, and continues to adapt as a future-ready in-house agency built for growth.
Speaker Bio
At just 23, Paco turned his entrepreneurial vision into reality by launching his first photo production company in Madrid. What began as a creative boutique quickly evolved into a full-service agency with offices in Madrid and Barcelona. Over the next 25 years, Paco built a global portfolio, leading photo, video, experiential, and digital projects for powerhouse clients including Nike, Google, Mercedes-Benz, Corona, Jeep, and Amex, as well as disruptive startups like Allbirds and Casper. Today, he serves as Revlon’s global head of creative, where he leads the company’s in-house agency, Red House—driving creative excellence and innovation across all Revlon brands worldwide.
Keynote
Shaping the Future of Creative Through Change
Presented By
Jason Warnke, Senior Managing Director, Global Lead, Accenture Experiences, Accenture
At Accenture, change is a way of life. From a collective of separate teams three years ago to a singular 300-person global creative powerhouse today, Marketing + Communications Experiences (M+Cx) serves Accenture’s 805,000 people. From drafting comms for the CEO and helping the business win clients, to hosting global broadcasts and driving innovation across the company, their work isn’t just marketing—it’s proof of concept. Agile yet strategic, M+Cx mobilizes where needed and serves as a rallying point to drive brand cohesion. Through collaboration, persistence, and a commitment to excellence, they transform challenges into opportunities and skeptics into advocates.
Speaker Bio
With a career that spans over 25 years, Jason has played a pivotal role in driving innovative and memorable experiences across various corporate functions and stakeholder groups at Accenture. His leadership has been instrumental in transitioning and integrating teams, ensuring seamless delivery and high client satisfaction. In his current position, Jason oversees a team of 300 individuals focused on crafting compelling stories, designing user-centric products, and creating immersive experiences that amplify Accenture’s strategic messaging and brand. Under his guidance, Accenture Experiences continues to solve tough problems and create moments that resonate with Accenture’s people, partners, and clients.
Check back often—more sessions and speakers coming soon!
Welcome to Boston!
Get the best rate—book your stay by October 16 while availability lasts.
Make the most of your visit—explore the city!
Hotel Stay
Main Venue Hotel Is Full —
But Great Options Are Nearby
InterContinental Boston by IHG
510 Atlantic Avenue Boston,
Massachusetts 02210 United States
Hotel Website
InterContinental Boston by IHG
510 Atlantic Avenue Boston,
Massachusetts 02210 United States
Hotel Website
InterContinental Boston by IHG
510 Atlantic Avenue Boston,
Massachusetts 02210 United States
Hotel Website
Turn Your Trip Into an Experience!
Title Sponsor
Awards Sponsor
Event Sponsors
Reserve your spot at the industry’s most celebrated event—the IHAF Conference & Awards!
Questions about attending our event?
We’re here to help—reach out anytime.
Hollis Gesen
Senior Program Manager
617.587.3945
Email Hollis