So what is AdFed?
Allow us to explain.

The Advertising Federation of Minnesota (AdFed) is a non-profit, professional trade association that has served the Minnesota advertising community including agencies, advertisers, suppliers, and students, since 1906. AdFed is a part of The American Advertising Federation (AAF), the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association.

AdFed members volunteer their time and talents to plan and execute events that are overseen by a board of directors. AdFed offers networking opportunities, seminars, speaker presentations and other fun and industry focused events. It celebrates the Twin Cities’ market strength and the global impact that our community makes through leading brands, creative advertising campaigns, and sound business practices.

AdFed is made for those who make, and that. means. you.

Image of brains with hands that are holding hands.

It’s not what you know OR who you know—it’s both.

When you attend an AdFed event, become a member or volunteer on the board, you’re signing up for direct access to some of the most knowledgeable and influential people in the advertising and marketing industry—access that’s invaluable in helping you succeed in your current role or find your next one.

Image of a person jumping into water.

Dive in or dip a toe—whatever works for you.

Our goal at AdFed is to support, inspire and connect you as you create new and groundbreaking work. Whether that means attending one event a year, joining a committee or running for the AdFed board, we’re here to provide whatever opportunities you need.

Image of a fist clutching pencils.

Create. Share. Inspire. Repeat.

AdFed’s tagline is “Made for those who make,” and we mean it. From smaller, case-study style talks to huge award events like The Show, we’re here to motivate, educate and celebrate you as you create new and exciting work that pushes the industry forward.

OK, you didn’t choose a career in math. But check out these numbers anyway.

21
events hosted by AdFed in the past year
1,137
average unique monthly visitors to AdFed's jobs webpage
5,000
AdFed event attendees per year
47
married couples who met at an AdFed event (okay fine, that's made up, but anything can happen!)

We go waaay back to 1906.

Much like a vampire in a YA novel, AdFed MN is over a century old, but still smoking hot. Check out some of the recent work at The Show.

Meet our most esteemed (and humble) Board of Directors ever.

Image of Erin Slayton, the Graphic Designer
Erin
Slayton
Graphic Designer
Image of Anton Friant, the President
Anton
Friant
President
Image of Mike Schwandt, the Membership Co-Chair
Mike
Schwandt
Membership Co-Chair
Image of Vanessa Johnson, the DEI Co-Chair
Vanessa
Johnson
DEI Co-Chair
Image of Althea Larson, the Programs Co-Chair
Althea
Larson
Programs Co-Chair
Image of Caleb Gilbertson, the Sponsorship Chair
Caleb
Gilbertson
Sponsorship Chair
Image of Mike Voermans, the Technology Chair
Mike
Voermans
Technology Chair
Image of David Lovett, the Partnership Chair
David
Lovett
Partnership Chair
Image of Sophie Bernstorf, the Programs Co-Chair
Sophie
Bernstorf
Programs Co-Chair
Image of Hana April Chughtai, the Vice President
Hana April
Chughtai
Vice President
Image of Michael Collins, the Brand Chair
Michael
Collins
Brand Chair
Image of Nathan Young, the DEI Co-Chair
Nathan
Young
DEI Co-Chair
Image of Kate Kearns, the Programs Tri-Chair
Kate
Kearns
Programs Tri-Chair
Image of Brian Casey, the Membership Co-Chair
Brian
Casey
Membership Co-Chair
Image of Courtney Thompson, the AdFed Counsel
Courtney
Thompson
AdFed Counsel
Image of Kevin Besikof, the Treasurer
Kevin
Besikof
Treasurer
Image of Jillian Voth, the Secretary
Jillian
Voth
Secretary
Image of Sarah Day, the Past President
Sarah
Day
Past President

We love our partners!

Eisneramper’s Website (opens in a new window)
Fredrikson’s Website (opens in a new window)
Collective Measures’s Website (opens in a new window)
Tremor International’s Website (opens in a new window)

Okay, we’re biased, but these are some objectively awesome organizations. Take a second and check them out!