The Department of Marketing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business hosted the third annual Marketing and Sales Innovation Conference and Awards from April 8-9. With sessions and conversations centered around AI, authenticity and how to be successful in marketing and sales, the event brought together marketing and sales professionals for honest discussions and reflections on the professions.
Industry Insights
Two influential industry voices headlined the conference.
Danielle Franklin DeSarzant, the global principal product marketing manager for Intuit Mailchimp, hosted a fireside chat moderated by assistant professor of practice Zach Thompson. Franklin DeSarzant discussed using a multi-channel strategy in a world where people’s attention is spread thin.
Jeff Sundheim, an AI business strategist with Google, returned to the conference for the second year. He gave a keynote address on AI being the amplifier of work and creativity, not its replacement.
Attendee Kinley Koontz (UT, ’22) connected with Sundheim after his address. Her takeaway underscores a broader shift in the industry, as marketers move beyond traditional search tactics toward building credibility across AI-driven platforms.
“Marketing just got a lot more complicated,” said Koontz. “And honestly? It’s exhilarating.”
The Marketing and Sales Innovation Conference and Awards also featured 10 industry-focused session speakers, including representatives from AFLAC, the American Heart Association, JTV and Wendy’s.
Topics discussed ranged from staying relevant on social media and the intersection of marketing and psychology to mastering the sales funnel and maintaining attention in an AI world.
Christine White, assistant professor of practice and the marketing department’s director of partnerships and growth initiatives, emphasized the caliber of insight shared at the event, noting that the annual conference is helping bring together informed marketing and sales professionals.
“A truly special community of innovators and life-long learners is being created through the southeast region’s premier conference centered on the future of marketing and sales,” she said.
The Academic Perspective
On the academic side, Michael Ahearne, professor and C.T. Bauer Chair in Marketing at the University of Houston, delivered a keynote address on how to truly motivate sales professionals.
Three of Haslam’s own marketing faculty led sessions from the higher-education perspective.
Associate professor Nawar Chaker held a session on sales and well-being.
Fellow associate professor Aaron Garvey led a workshop focused on helping companies develop AI chatbots in a practical, approachable way.
Blair Presley Bone, assistant professor of practice, led participants through a practical guide to customer discovery.
According to Rena Ishak, the senior events and experiences manager in Haslam’s marketing department, the third annual Marketing and Sales Innovation Conference and Awards united industry and academia in an impactful and memorable way.
“From thought-provoking keynote speakers to innovative sessions and workshops, all attendees left their time with us with actionable takeaways and unique opportunities to consider as we experience the next wave of change in marketing and sales,” she said.
Honoring Marketing and Sales Excellence
The Marketing and Sales Innovation Conference concluded with an awards ceremony honoring outstanding work.
Knoxville-based advertising agency Designsensory won the Brand Journey Award, which recognized its Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts branding campaign.
Glean won the Sales Achievement Award, acknowledging its innovative Sales Development Academy.
Knoxville’s UT Federal Credit Union won the Digital Marketing Innovation Award for its highly impactful team member social engagement contest.
The Better Marketing for a Better World Award went to East Tennessee thrift store chain and shelter KARM. The award celebrated KARM’s work to consistently effect positive change through its marketing practices.
Future Plans
Haslam’s Marketing and Sales Innovation Conference and Awards will return to downtown Knoxville on April 8, 2027.
Marketing and sales enthusiasts don’t have to wait a year for connection and professional growth, however. Haslam’s Department of Marketingwill host pop-up events across the southeast in the fall, bringing expertise and insights straight from Rocky Top.
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Leah McAmis, senior editor, [email protected]
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