Reflecting on the Year That Was

Dear AMA San Diego Community,

I wrapped up my term as President of AMA San Diego on June 30, and it’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for the chance to lead this incredible organization.

This year wasn’t perfect, but that’s marketing. It’s about big swings, quick pivots, and finding ways to win no matter what cards you’re dealt. And that’s exactly what our board did.

Together, we built on the momentum from our previous board and President, Claudia M. Chow, and set a new bar for what’s possible. We pushed the limits on how we market AMA San Diego with new events, bold topics, fresh content formats, more video, and an upgraded tech stack that helped us break through the noise. This wasn’t about word of mouth or the occasional LinkedIn post. It was about telling a bigger story of why this community matters. Our board rose to the challenge, and the results speak for themselves:

One thing I hear time and again from new members and attendees: “This community is so inviting, open, and supportive.” That’s what I’m proudest of. The stats matter, but it’s the relationships and opportunities we’ve created that make AMA special.

I’m not going far. After a brief paternity leave (I became a dad a week ago!), I’ll continue to serve as Immediate Past President (IPP). I’m excited to support our next President, Nick Hofer, as he leads AMA San Diego into its next exciting chapter. 

A Few Questions with Outgoing President Zachary Senvisky

What’s been your favorite AMA moment(s) this year?

My favorite AMA moments this year have been kicking off the Art of Marketing Conference and the Sandie Awards. Those are our two biggest events every year. We had record attendance, and they really serve as our pillars for the entire San Diego marketing community. While our annual Art of Marketing conference inspires the whole industry to stay ahead of trends, the Sandie Awards celebrate bold ideas and recognize the innovative campaigns that are shaping the future of our field.

Describe your AMA presidency in three words.

Instead of giving three words, I’ll give you five – Not Following the Status Quo. I think in marketing, it’s incredibly important to be consistently trying new things and innovating. That’s what this chapter has done a really great job in.

What has leading this AMA chapter meant to you?

Leading this AMA chapter has meant the world to me. I changed jobs during this presidency. We have added many new Board and Committee members. Our membership has grown by 40% and attendance has increased by 40%. As a marketer, everyone grades themselves by KPIs. I am incredibly proud of the board that I have had the privilege to lead.

Thank You to an Incredible Board

Thank you to the board members who made this year unforgettable: Nick Hofer, Claudia Chow, Janene Forman, Kathy Townend, Jon Haber, Kayla Yap, Amanda Henderson, Nicole Wegscheid, Sammi Beatrice, Summer Haines, Maya Sykes, Lisa Tomaselli, Judy Parker, and Mary Beth McCabe.

Here’s to more connections, more impact, and an even stronger year ahead!

With great anticipation and gratitude,

Zachary Senvisky
Immediate Past President, AMA San Diego