The holidays are about connection and community. This Thanksgiving, AMA San Diego is teaming up with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to help ensure local families have meals on their tables with a virtual food drive and participating in a hands-on volunteer opportunity on Saturday, November 15.
As marketers, we know the power of connection, which extends beyond our industry into the community we live and work in. AMA San Diego is proud to support local causes by actively engaging in different ways, including rolling up our sleeves for in-person volunteer opportunities.. It is part of our mission to grow as professionals and make a meaningful impact in San Diego. Giving back is how we show up together.
In a time when many families face uncertainty and everyday challenges, volunteering to address food insecurity offers a simple yet profound way to make a difference. Every hour spent sorting donations or delivering meals helps ease hunger and bring comfort to those in need. It shows us that compassion, when shared, can nourish both body and spirit.
Nick Hofer, President, AMA San Diego, says, “Marketing is woven into the fabric of San Diego—it drives our local businesses, tells our stories, and connects our people. Through AMA San Diego, we’re focused on giving back and contributing to the community we’re so proud to be a part of. This city has given so much to us as marketers, and it’s our turn to make a lasting impact.”
Claudia Chow, Member-At-Large, AMA San Diego, says, “I have always been involved with non-profits either as an employee or a volunteer. I believe in giving back to our community and making a positive change to people’s lives. The collective effort of our 200+ members will have a big impact on building a better future for everyone. We look forward to our first philanthropic effort as an organization in November and plan to continue with more quarterly events.”
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed over 50 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank serves, on average, 400,000 people per month in San Diego County. Through their two warehouse locations and by partnering with more than 450 nonprofit partners, the Food Bank provides nutritious food to individuals and families in need in communities throughout San Diego County.
AMA Members: Visit our volunteer sign-up page to learn more about the members-only volunteer opportunity with the San Diego Food Bank.
Not a member and want to make a difference? Please consider a donation to the AMA San Diego Virtual Drive.
Every donation makes a difference. Join us in spreading kindness and hope this season!
Want to join events like these? Follow us to be notified about future events. Become a member to connect with fellow marketers in San Diego and stay on top of your marketing game. As a member, you get AMA-zing benefits that maximize your experience, such as members-only learning resources and events, to name a few.
The post Hands That Feed: Small Acts, Big Impact Of Volunteering appeared first on AMA San Diego.
In a digital world, Max Lux Media focuses on helping small to medium businesses tell their unique stories with pixel-perfect clarity. Founded by Rob Esposito, Max Lux Media is San Diego’s creative hub for photography, videography, and podcasting, located in Encinitas, California.
Max Lux has captured AMA San Diego’s biggest events – from the Sandie Awards interviews to Summer Social and the Art of Marketing conference – highlighting the people and moments at the heart of our community. We’re proud to spotlight Max Lux Media as an AMA San Diego partner.
Max Lux’s range of videography services include brand videos and product videos covering product promotion, demonstration, point of sale, and explainer videos. Their expert photographers make products come to life through white studio photography, still life, lifestyle, and digital composite services.
With professional recording, expert editing, and a versatile studio, they have everything you need to bring your voice to life through podcasts. Max Lux offers the full experience: From strategy sessions and polished editing to branded videos and social clips. Their video podcast service is also fully mobile! Want to keep it simple? Book the studio by the hour and the Max Lux team handles the tech to deliver professional-quality audio and video.
Whether it’s live-streaming corporate events, producing multicamera coverage of keynote speakers and awards ceremonies, interviewing attendees or capturing conference highlights to promote your next event, the event video production team at Max Lux is experienced in capturing the vital aspects of your event.
Max Lux has a team of commercially licensed drone pilots to produce dynamic aerial photography and videos that add an entirely new visual pop to your marketing.
Here’s a quick snippet of Max Lux’s podcasting services.
Whether you’re a brand, entrepreneur, or creative, Max Lux helps you launch podcasts, produce commercial content, and cover events that connect with your audience.
Connect with Max Lux today at https://www.maxluxmedia.com/.
The post Turning Voices Into Brands Through Podcasts – Max Lux Media appeared first on AMA San Diego.
San Diego’s marketing community gathered for an unforgettable and fun-filled evening at the Summer Social 2025, on August 5th at SeaWorld San Diego’s The Waterfront. The rose and gold colored sunset set the perfect backdrop for a casual and high-energy atmosphere of ideas and connection.
SeaWorld San Diego hosted the event, providing a crowd-pleasing taco bar and drinks for each attendee. The tacos, in particular, were a huge hit!
From first-time attendees to long-time AMA members, the energy and excitement were high as people connected, learned about each other’s passions, and explored potential collaborations and new partnerships.
We are grateful to our sponsors for bringing such events to life.
The evening wrapped up with exciting prizes for lucky winners. Member raffle prizes included tickets to the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival and single-day passes to BrightonSEO.
Here are some photos from the evening.
Want to join events like these? Follow us to be notified about future events. Become a member to connect with fellow marketers in San Diego and stay on top of your marketing game. As a member, you get AMA-zing benefits that maximize your experience, such as members-only learning resources and events, to name a few.
The post Making Waves at the AMA San Diego Summer Social appeared first on AMA San Diego.
Dear AMA San Diego Community,
I wrapped up my term as President of AMA San Diego on June 30, and it’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for the chance to lead this incredible organization.
This year wasn’t perfect, but that’s marketing. It’s about big swings, quick pivots, and finding ways to win no matter what cards you’re dealt. And that’s exactly what our board did.
Together, we built on the momentum from our previous board and President, Claudia M. Chow, and set a new bar for what’s possible. We pushed the limits on how we market AMA San Diego with new events, bold topics, fresh content formats, more video, and an upgraded tech stack that helped us break through the noise. This wasn’t about word of mouth or the occasional LinkedIn post. It was about telling a bigger story of why this community matters. Our board rose to the challenge, and the results speak for themselves:

One thing I hear time and again from new members and attendees: “This community is so inviting, open, and supportive.” That’s what I’m proudest of. The stats matter, but it’s the relationships and opportunities we’ve created that make AMA special.
I’m not going far. After a brief paternity leave (I became a dad a week ago!), I’ll continue to serve as Immediate Past President (IPP). I’m excited to support our next President, Nick Hofer, as he leads AMA San Diego into its next exciting chapter.
My favorite AMA moments this year have been kicking off the Art of Marketing Conference and the Sandie Awards. Those are our two biggest events every year. We had record attendance, and they really serve as our pillars for the entire San Diego marketing community. While our annual Art of Marketing conference inspires the whole industry to stay ahead of trends, the Sandie Awards celebrate bold ideas and recognize the innovative campaigns that are shaping the future of our field.
Instead of giving three words, I’ll give you five – Not Following the Status Quo. I think in marketing, it’s incredibly important to be consistently trying new things and innovating. That’s what this chapter has done a really great job in.
Leading this AMA chapter has meant the world to me. I changed jobs during this presidency. We have added many new Board and Committee members. Our membership has grown by 40% and attendance has increased by 40%. As a marketer, everyone grades themselves by KPIs. I am incredibly proud of the board that I have had the privilege to lead.
Thank you to the board members who made this year unforgettable: Nick Hofer, Claudia Chow, Janene Forman, Kathy Townend, Jon Haber, Kayla Yap, Amanda Henderson, Nicole Wegscheid, Sammi Beatrice, Summer Haines, Maya Sykes, Lisa Tomaselli, Judy Parker, and Mary Beth McCabe.
Here’s to more connections, more impact, and an even stronger year ahead!







With great anticipation and gratitude,
Zachary Senvisky
Immediate Past President, AMA San Diego
The post Reflecting on the Year That Was appeared first on AMA San Diego.
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, August 13, from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Google Meets (Virtual)
New member orientation is your chance to meet other new members, share your goals for membership, and learn how to make the most of your membership.
Through this virtual session, we get to know you and introduce you to AMA San Diego.
Orientations are typically held once per quarter on Google Meets, 12 to 1 p.m. We encourage you to attend a session within your first three months of joining AMA San Diego. Registration is required to receive the invitiation link.
Meeting Information: You will receive a virtual link to the Google Meeets meeting room the day prior to the event.
For questions, please email jon.haber@sdama.org.
The post New Member Orientation – Q3 2025 appeared first on AMA San Diego.
When it comes to elevating marketing with impactful visual communications, SpeedPro Mission Valley stands out. San Diego’s premium provider for bold, custom, and large-format graphics, SpeedPro is an AMA San Diego partner for 3 years and counting.
With over a decade of experience, SpeedPro brings marketing vision to life, from vibrant banners, wall murals, and vehicle wraps to event graphics and trade show displays. Their detail-oriented approach ensures that every printed material features clear lines, true colors, and durable finishes.
SpeedPro Mission Valley prides itself on being an active extension of your marketing team, partnering with businesses, marketers, and creatives across San Diego. Customer service is at the heart of everything they do, helping brands stand out with vibrant, high-impact visuals. All projects are met with the same passion, creativity, and dedication.
SpeedPro Mission Valley’s commitment to quality has been recognized by industry leaders, including a certification from 3M, affirming their capability to produce graphics that meet exacting standards.
Here’s a quick tour of SpeedPro Mission Valley.
As a partner of the AMA San Diego, SpeedPro Mission Valley has supported numerous events with high-quality graphics, event signage, and branded displays. Their commitment and timely production have consistently enhanced the professionalism and visual impact of AMA San Diego’s initiatives.
For more information or to request their services, visit them at https://speedpro.com/mission-valley.
The post Your Source for Large Format Printing Solutions: SpeedPro appeared first on AMA San Diego.
AMA San Diego recently hosted an insightful and interactive, small-group workshop experience for San Diego-based mid-level marketers ready for growth, senior professionals exploring new opportunities, experienced marketers re-entering or pivoting within the industry, and AMA members and non-members seeking fresh perspective and practical tools. Held at Downtown Works, the AMA Career Lab delivered insights and key takeaways from recruiters, hiring managers, and LinkedIn experts who know what it takes to level up, pivot, or stand out in today’s competitive market.
The evening started with networking and connecting with fellow San Diego marketing professionals. An expert panel discussion followed focusing on personal brand refinement, job search optimization, and meaningful networking, and facilitated by Nick Hofer – AMA San Diego President-Elect, featuring
The workshop attendees had 3 breakout rooms for focused coaching and feedback on resume review, LinkedIn profile optimization, and mock interviews & interview preparation.






Thanks to our partner, AG Pro, for the event photographs and recap video, and Postino WineCafé and Spade for keeping everyone hydrated and fueled.
Here are some photos from the evening.










Want to join events like these? Follow us to be notified about future events.
Become a member to connect with fellow marketers in San Diego and stay on top of your marketing game. As a member, you get AMA-zing benefits that maximize your experience, such as members-only learning resources and events, to name a few.
The post AMA San Diego Career Lab: Career Growth Strategies for Mid to Senior Marketing Professionals appeared first on AMA San Diego.
DATE & TIME: Thursday, April 24, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: MUNICIPAL, 1722 South Coast Highway Suite #2 Oceanside, CA 92054
Join us for our next AMA Café on Thursday, April 24 (8-9 am) at MUNICIPAL’s Flagship & HQ. Co-founded by Mark Wahlberg, MUNICIPAL was created to inspire people to bet on themselves and make big things happen – the perfect setting to plug into our local marketing community.
AMA Café is a free, informal, monthly coffee shop meetup for AMA San Diego members. The best part? There’s no agenda. Just meet up for good coffee, great conversation, and connections. We rotate coffee shops each month to cover different parts of the county to make it out to all our members’ backyards, and this month, we’re heading up to North County to MUNICIPAL Coffee by URTH Caffé. Although this is a members-only invite, you may bring non-members to these meetups. Please register all guests.
The post AMA Café – MUNICIPAL Coffee by URTH Caffé, Oceanside appeared first on AMA San Diego.
DATE & TIME: Thursday, May 1, from 5:00-7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Downtown Works, 550 West B Street, #4th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
Whether you’re actively seeking your next role, exploring a pivot, or simply looking to sharpen your professional edge, this event is designed to help mid to senior-level marketing professionals confidently navigate the next stage in their careers.
Join AMA San Diego for an interactive, small-group workshop experience with insights from recruiters, hiring managers, and LinkedIn experts who know what it takes to stand out in today’s competitive market.
Expert Panel Discussion
Hear from industry pros on how to refine your personal brand, optimize your job search, and make meaningful connections. Panelists Include:
Workshop Rotations
Attendees will rotate through 3 breakout rooms for focused coaching and hands-on feedback:
Headshot Station
Refresh your LinkedIn profile with a new, professional headshot – available on-site throughout the evening.
Networking Opportunities
Begin and end the evening by connecting with fellow San Diego marketing professionals in a relaxed, collaborative environment.
All active AMA San Diego members will be entered into a raffle to win a free LinkedIn Premium subscription — just one of the many perks of being part of our local chapter.
The post AMA Career Lab: Strategic Growth for Mid to Senior Marketing Professionals appeared first on AMA San Diego.
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, May 14, from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Google Meets (Virtual)
New member orientation is your chance to meet other new members, share your goals for membership, and learn how to make the most of your membership.
Through this virtual session, we get to know you and introduce you to AMA San Diego.
Orientations are typically held once per quarter on Google Meets, 12 to 1 p.m. We encourage you to attend a session within your first three months of joining AMA San Diego. Registration is required to receive the invitiation link.
Meeting Information: You will receive a virtual link to the Google Meeets meeting room the day prior to the event.
For questions, please email jon.haber@sdama.org.
The post New Member Orientation – Q2 2025 appeared first on AMA San Diego.