AMA PDX Year in Review 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to look back at an incredible year for the Portland marketing community. From deep dives into artificial intelligence to intimate conversations about equity in our industry, AMA PDX has remained dedicated to its mission of connecting, educating, and inspiring marketers across the Rose City.
Here is a look back at the highlights of our 2025 journey.
A Year of Meaningful Connection
Our Monthly Marketers Meetups continued to be the heartbeat of our community. We traveled across the city to support local businesses while making new professional connections. Some of our favorite stops this year included:
Winter Series: To kick off the year, we networked with fellow marketers over brews at Lazy Days Brewing and Ground Breaker Brewing Co.
Fall Gatherings: As the leaves began to fall, we headed to Migration Brewing and Steeplejack Brewing Co., where we filled rooms with lively discussions about industry trends and career growth.
Summer Series: We enjoyed the sunshine on the patio at Bauman’s on Oak (a wonderful woman-owned cidery!) and caught up over craft cocktails at Freeland Spirits and Kaya Cocktail Bar.
Tackling the Big Questions: AI & DEIA
Marketers know that 2025 was a year of rapid change in our industry and our world, and AMA PDX was there to help our members and professional community navigate it.
AI Insights for Marketers: In April, we partnered with AI Portland for a high-impact "Ask Me Anything" session. We moved past the hype to discuss the practical applications of AI in communications, answering pressing questions about the future of our field.
Cup of Equity: This signature series remained a vital safe space for Portland marketers. Held at local spots like Shop Halo Halo, La Lucha, and L’Atelier Yaffe, these sessions allowed for intimate, moderated conversations on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We explored how to lead with empathy and fresh perspectives, even during times of uncertainty.
Celebrating our Impact: AMA PDX Agency
In September, we hosted our annual Agency Celebration: Knowledge is Better Shared. This event brought together Portland’s vibrant agency ecosystem to celebrate the creative and strategic work being done right here in our backyard. We celebrated the tremendous work of our AMA PDX Agency volunteers who supported local education-based organizations in 2025: Portland Fruit Tree Project, Playworks Pacific Northwest, Lloyd EcoDistrict, and Wonderfolk. In total, our volunteers contributed 1,067 hours and over $100K in marketing value! Read more about the lasting impact of our Agency projects.
We are currently recruiting for 2026! If you are leading a non-profit or mission-driven business in Portland or SW Washington, you can apply for pro bono support. If you are a marketing professional looking to make an impact and strengthen your skills, you can apply to volunteer. Apply by January 16, 2026 to join the next cycle: March–September 2026.
Exclusive Access for Our Members
We were thrilled to offer several members-only perks this year, including an exclusive evening in October with the team from Murmur Creative. Our members got a behind-the-scenes look at their branding process and networked with their talented creative team.
Ending on a Festive Note
We capped off the year by partnering with our friends at NextNW, AIGA Portland, and PRSA Oregon for the annual Holiday Party, and this year’s theme was ugly sweaters. Between the questionable fashion choices and the fabulous prizes, it was the perfect way to celebrate a year of hard work with the broader creative community!
Check out the recap video!
Looking Ahead to 2026
We are already hitting the ground running for the new year! Don’t miss our first events of 2026:
January Marketers Meetup: January 14th at Honey Latte Cafe.
Combating Technostress: Tools for the Always-On Marketer: February 11th at University of Portland
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors and most importantly, thank YOU for being part of this community. Here’s to another year of marketing excellence in Portland!
Want to stay involved? Check out our Events Page for upcoming 2026 programming or learn more about becoming a member today.