Effective Uses of AI in Marketing

marketing conference header.

March 27, 2026

8 a.m.–5 p.m.
University at Buffalo Center for the Arts, North Campus, Amherst, NY

Pre Conference Welcome Reception
March 26, 2026
5-6:30 p.m.
University at Buffalo Alfiero Center Atrium, North Campus, Amherst, NY

Conference Contact

John Hennessy
 mgt-mktconf@buffalo.edu

Dinesh Gauri
 mgt-mktconf@buffalo.edu

The Effective Uses of AI in Marketing conference is an opportunity for business owners, industry professionals and academics to learn from those deploying AI to improve marketing effectiveness and efficiency. The event is hosted by the University at Buffalo School of Management’s Center for Marketing Analysis and Marketing Department.

During this daylong conference, you will be exposed to best practices, market trends and real-world lessons from those deploying AI-enabled marketing capabilities. The content is designed to better inform you on your AI for marketing journey and help you expand your network.

Presentations and panel discussions will feature accomplished practitioners and academics. Topics will include the impact of artificial intelligence on personalization, the role of data analytics in successful AI deployments and AI trends, and use cases in marketing.

Speakers and Schedule

Time Event

8-8:45 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast
Center for the Arts Atrium

8:45-9 a.m.

Welcome Remarks
9-9:45 a.m.

Industry Keynote Address: State of AI in Retailing: Challenges and Opportunities
Ron Ferri, President, Tops Markets

9:45-10:30 a.m.

The New Rules for Success in Online Marketplaces
Matthew Krueger, Senior Vice President of Digital Commerce, Buffalo Games
10:30-10:45 a.m.

Coffee Break

10:45-11:30 a.m.

Maximizing Grocery Retail Market Share

  • Erich Kahner, Senior Director of Strategy and Insights, DunnHumby
11:30 a.m.-noon p.m.

School of Management Marketing Student Showcase: Reimagining Customer Loyalty with AI
noon-1:15 p.m. Lunch
1:15-2 p.m.

Industry Keynote Address: Best Practices and Success Stories of AI in Marketing
Alex Monaco, Expert Associate Partner, Bain & Company

2-2:45 p.m.

Panel Discussion: Data in the Age of AI

  • Joe Frick, Senior Vice President of Growth, Goodway Group
  • Scott Kessler, EVP and Chief Information Officer, Northeast Grocery
  • Karen Stuhlmiller, Head of Data Management and the AI Center of Excellence, M&T Bank
2:45-3 p.m. Coffee Break
3-3:30 p.m. 

Academic Presentation: Structural Models of Restaurant Location Choice: Evidence from Baltimore
Jordan Hutchings, PhD Candidate, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto 
3:30-4 p.m.

Academic Presentation: Data Valuation in Marketing Collaborations
Ziyao Tang, PhD Candidate, Simon Business School, University of Rochester
4-4:45 p.m.

Panel Discussion: Productivity Boosts from AI in Marketing

  • Erinn Steffen, Chief Operating Officer, Mower Consulting
  • Hemant Sangwan, Professor of Data Science and Marketing Analytics, Seneca College and York University
  • Terry Ameno, Director of Packing and Design, Buffalo Games
  • Delaware North
  • Rich Products
4:45-4:50 p.m.

School of Management Center for Marketing Analysis and Behavioral Lab Overview
4:50-5 p.m. 

Final remarks
Dinesh Gauri, Chair and Melvin H. Baker Professor of Marketing, Executive Director, Center for Marketing Analysis

Registration

Registration is free for all attendees.

Register Here

Hotel and Travel Accommodations

The nearest airport to the University at Buffalo is the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), located 8 miles from campus, followed by the Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG), located 14 miles from campus. Uber, Lyft or taxi services are the best way to get to and from the airport.

Parking for the event will be available at the Stadium Parking Lot.

Discounted hotel rooms will be available at the Buffalo Niagara Marriott from March 25-27 for $126 a night. Click here to book your room.