Resilient. Honest. Energizing.

John Gatesman Reflects on the 2026 AMIN Integrated Conference

For several days in Pittsburgh, independent agency leaders from across the AMIN network gathered to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and tackle the realities

Hosted by member agency, Gatesman, the conference centered around a theme that represented the steel city and resonated throughout every keynote, breakout session, and hallway conversation: Grit. No Quit. shaping the future of the industry.

According to John Gatesman, what stood out most wasn’t just the content on stage, but the honesty happening between agency peers.

“People were very candid about the challenges they’re facing right now,” Gatesman said. “AI disruption, speed-to-market pressure, staffing, client expectations, proving value, and there wasn’t much posturing. It reminded me there’s a real willingness within AMIN to help each other figure things out.”

When asked to describe the conference in three words, Gatesman chose: Resilient. Honest. Energizing.

“Resilient because this industry is changing incredibly fast and agencies are adapting in real time. Honest because the conversations were real and not polished agency speak. And energizing because you could feel people leaving with new ideas, relationships, and confidence about where independent agencies fit in the future.”

Defining Theme: Adaptability

While AI was a dominant topic throughout the conference, the conversations went far deeper than tools and automation. “The interesting part wasn’t just the technology,” Gatesman reflected.

“People were talking about operational change, client expectations, staffing structures, and what agencies need to do moving forward. The bigger conversation underneath all of it was

really about adapting.”

That theme carried through the conference’s keynote sessions, including perspectives from Alex Lubar, Jenn Miller, Ivo Stivoric, John Dick, and Jerome Bettis.

“Each keynote brought something different, but I’m still thinking about the common thread running through all of them: adaptability,” said Gatesman. “The agencies willing to evolve fastest are going to have the advantage. And as independents, we have the nimbleness to do so.”

The pace of change across the industry was another recurring theme.

“Clients want more, faster, with measurable results,” Gatesman said. “At the same time, agencies are trying to integrate AI without losing creativity, strategic thinking, or culture. Everyone’s trying to find that balance right now.”

The Power of Independent Collaboration

Beyond the stage sessions, many of the conference’s most impactful moments happened organically. Breakout sessions became collaborative working sessions where agency leaders openly shared successes, failures, and frustrations.

For Gatesman, those conversations reinforced one of AMIN’s greatest strengths: trust. “You had people openly sharing things that worked, things that failed, lessons learned, and even frustrations inside their own agencies,” he said.

“That level of honesty only happens when there’s trust.” He also noted how quickly attendees moved from identifying challenges to helping solve them together.

“There’s something powerful about hearing someone say, ‘We’re struggling with this too,’ and then immediately shifting into problem-solving together.”

The collaborative spirit left a lasting impression.

“AMIN isn’t just a network,” Gatesman added. “We are all in this together to help each other become better at what we do.”

Why Independent Agencies Are Positioned for the Future

One of Gatesman’s biggest takeaways from the conference was a growing belief that independent agencies may be uniquely equipped for the future ahead.

“The conference reinforced just how fast the pace of change is accelerating,” he said. “But it also challenged the idea that independent agencies should feel disadvantaged. If anything, our agility, adaptability, and ability to move quickly is actually our biggest advantage moving forward.”

That perspective also shaped his thinking about what successful agencies will look like in the years ahead.

“Adaptability may become more important than scale moving forward,” Gatesman said. “The agencies that thrive won’t necessarily be the biggest — they’ll be the ones willing to evolve fastest, learn fastest, and stay curious while the industry keeps shifting around them.”

His advice?

“It’s okay to try and fail. Worry about progress, not perfection.”

Looking Ahead

As attendees returned home, many left with more than ideas. They left with new partnerships, renewed confidence, and actionable ways to rethink collaboration inside their own agencies.

For Gatesman, one immediate takeaway is encouraging more intentional cross-disciplinary collaboration within teams.

“The breakout sessions reinforced that many agency challenges aren’t discipline-specific anymore,” he said. “The best solutions happen when integrated talents are solving problems together instead of operating in silos.”

And in true AMIN fashion, the conference proved once again that the independent agency community is strongest when it learns and evolves together.