Momentum Multiplied: ICOM Brings Its North America Regional Meeting to Atlanta

Press

ICOM, the global network of independent marketing and communications agencies, will bring its North America Regional Meeting to Atlanta from 16–18 September 2026. Hosted by long-standing member agency Morrison, the three-day gathering gives independent agency leaders from across the United States and Canada dedicated time together for knowledge sharing, collaboration and strategic discussion.

This year’s theme, Momentum Multiplied, sets the agenda: what independent agencies can achieve when they stop working in parallel and start working together — on ideas, on expertise, and on client business.

The meeting arrives at a moment of real change for the industry, with consolidation, rapid technology shifts and tighter client budgets reshaping how agencies operate. ICOM’s regional meetings are built for exactly that: a trusted space where independent leaders can compare notes candidly, test thinking against people facing the same questions, and leave with ideas they can act on.

Atlanta brings its own resonance to the theme. Home to some of the world’s most recognisable brands and a creative and entrepreneurial culture that has long punched above its weight, the city mirrors much of what independent agencies value — ambition, invention, and a habit of driving change from the ground up.

For host agency Morrison, the timing is significant. The Atlanta-based agency is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, and its connection to ICOM runs deep: founder Bob Morrison has been part of the network for more than three decades and serves as ICOM Chairman.

Emma Keenan, President & CEO of ICOM noted:

We’re bringing our North America Regional Meeting to Atlanta this year to celebrate a milestone that means a lot to this network: Morrison’s 40th anniversary, and 30 years as an ICOM member.

“Morrison has been a pillar of this network for decades – Bob, our Chairman, and I have worked closely together since I took over running ICOM, and Amanda has been one of the most active members driving our North America region forward. Hosting this meeting with them felt like the right way to mark that milestone together.

North America remains such an important part of this network, and meetings like this matter more than ever right now. In times like these, there’s real value in independent agency leaders coming together, sharing what’s actually working for them, and learning from each other honestly, not something you get from a conference stage, but from people who trust each other enough to speak plainly.”

Amanda Forgione, CEO of Morrison, said: “Hosting ICOM’s North America Regional Meeting during our 40th anniversary means everything to Morrison, particularly because Bob Morrison, our founder, has believed in this network for over three decades. ICOM is a meaningful part of our history, and the network is pivotal to our future plans.

“Momentum Multiplied is the theme for this meeting, and it is so much more than a tagline. It’s what happens when agencies that trust each other actually partner on client business. We’re not just sharing our insights; we’re building real partnerships with real deliverables. That’s why we’re hosting, and we hope ICOM members leave Atlanta committed to expanding this kind of work.”

Alan Brown, Founder of DNA&STONE and ICOM Regional Director for North America, added: “Located in the shadow of some of the biggest brands in the US — Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and UPS — Atlanta is an especially meaningful place for ICOM North America to come together. It’s a city with an extraordinary creative and entrepreneurial spirit, a rich cultural legacy and a history of driving change: all qualities that resonate strongly with independent agencies and the work we do.

Our industry is undergoing significant change, driven by consolidation, tech innovation and a demand to do more with less. Coming together in person is incredibly important. We each bring different perspectives, experiences and expertise to the table, but we also face many of the same opportunities and challenges. ICOM gives us the ability to learn from one another, share ideas openly and build relationships that make each of our agencies stronger.

My hope is that everyone leaves Atlanta with fresh thinking, renewed energy, meaningful connections and ideas they can put into action when they return home. Ultimately, the value of ICOM is that independence doesn’t have to mean going it alone. We have a community of smart, generous and innovative leaders who can help one another navigate change, create new opportunities and shape what’s next for our industry.”

The Atlanta meeting is part of ICOM’s ongoing investment in its regional communities, bringing members together at a regional level throughout the year alongside the network’s annual World Meeting — creating more opportunities for members to connect, collaborate and grow.

About ICOM

ICOM is the global network of independent advertising and marketing communication agencies, connecting more than 70 agencies across 50 countries. ICOM’s mission is to create opportunities for growth by fostering collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise among its members. Together, ICOM agencies deliver world-class creative and strategic solutions while maintaining their independence, contributing to a dynamic network that celebrates diversity, adaptability, and excellence.

About Morrison

Celebrating 40 years in 2026, Morrison is an independent ad agency headquartered in Atlanta with deep expertise across global, national, and local B2B and B2C clients. Morrison delivers value in three ways: senior-led strategic advisory that shapes where a brand goes next, integrated campaign execution across creative, media, and technology, and a capacity practice that helps clients decide when to hire, when to outsource, and when to automate. Over four decades, Morrison has served 300+ clients across nearly every industry with a senior-led team built on an elasticity ethos. A proud member of both the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the ICOM network for 30+ years. Led by CEO Amanda Forgione since 2023, Morrison was named one of Atlanta’s Best Places to Work in 2025. For more information, visit morrisonagency.com | @wearemorrison