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Panel: Future of AdTech - Portland
PORTLAND - See what’s actually next in AdTech. Get a fast look at emerging tools, bold ideas and the shifts marketers will be talking about next.
Future of AdTech
The future of advertising technology is moving fast. The question isn’t whether the industry is changing, but which technologies, platforms and ideas will actually matter next.
Join NextNW for the 2026 Future of AdTech, where you’ll hear directly from Kargo, StackAdapt, Viant Technology and Channel Factory about the technologies shaping the next era of digital advertising.
The event kicks off with rapid-fire platform demos from each company, giving attendees a firsthand look at the tools, capabilities and innovations they believe marketers should be watching. From there, we’ll open it up for a candid panel discussion about where AdTech is headed next.
From AI and automation to streaming, targeting, measurement and the evolving media landscape, we’ll explore what’s gaining momentum, where challenges remain and what brands and agencies need to understand as they plan for what’s ahead.
Expect real perspectives from industry leaders, practical insights you can take back to your team and an opportunity to ask your own questions during the discussion.
What You’ll Learn
- What Kargo, StackAdapt, Viant Technology and Channel Factory are building and prioritizing for the future
- Which emerging AdTech trends are worth paying attention to now
- How AI and automation are changing media planning, buying, optimization and creative
- What’s next for streaming, targeting and audience strategy
- How platforms are approaching measurement, performance and proving impact
- Where brands and agencies are seeing the biggest opportunities and challenges
- What marketers should be preparing for as the advertising ecosystem continues to evolve
Moderator
Kent Lewis
A digital OG and passionate entrepreneur who regularly speaks, is frequently quoted by industry media, and writes for publications including Inc., The Business Journals, and SmartBrief.
Panelists
Bernie Gil Summers
Bernie Gil Summers is an accomplished sales leader with over 20 years of experiences and a proven track record of driving growth and transformation across the digital and social media landscapes. Since joining Channel Factory in 2024, her role expanded from leading social to creating and running our newly established independent agency team, driving an explosive 300%+ YoY growth engine; largely done by scaling strategic partnerships with Fortune 1000 brands and Indie agencies alike. Prior to Channel Factory, she helped build high-performing sales teams from across cross-platform and data organizations such as Zefr, Fyllo and Amobee.
Nick Ortega
Nick Ortega is Director of Emerging Channels at StackAdapt, leading inventory partnerships and product strategy across DOOH, mobile app, gaming, and AI inventory; the corners of the market where AdTech meets innovation. A longtime AdTech leader, Nick has spent 10+ years across both the buy and sell sides of the ecosystem, with roles at Amazon Ads, Yahoo, and Taboola spanning inventory partnerships, DSP product, and measurement. Today his work spans everything from screens on the street to ChatGPT Ads, where StackAdapt's partnership with OpenAI has him working directly with the partners, agencies, and advertisers building what comes next.
Troy Troutner
Troy Troutner is Head of Revenue, West at Kargo, where he leads sales and strategic partnerships across leading brands, agencies, and holding companies. A 15+ year media and advertising technology veteran, Troy’s experience spans DSP platforms and programmatic media across social, display, video, and Connected TV.
At Kargo, Troy led the development and go-to-market strategy for the company’s Connected TV offering, overseeing its commercialization and sales as the business scaled. His career has centered on bringing emerging media solutions to market, building high-performing teams, and creating strategic partnerships that drive growth. Under his leadership, Kargo’s West team has twice been named ThinkLA Partner of the Year, with two members of his team also earning ThinkLA Salesperson of the Year honors.
Field Garthwaite
Field Garthwaite is the Co-Founder and CEO of IRIS.TV, the leading content data marketplace for streaming. Today, the company works with publishers, brands, and ad tech partners to build scalable advertising solutions for contextual and brand-suitability planning, targeting, and measurement. Before founding IRIS.TV, Field worked in digital distribution, data architecture, and video for companies including HBO, Universal Pictures, Rubicon Project and Jukebox TV.
Ready to attend?
Buy a ticket yourself or bring some friends! We look forward to seeing you!