The Ad Club of Western Massachusetts has just released the lineup for its upcoming Creative Unconference, and it’s a strong one. In addition to a powerhouse featured panel, keynote speaker Tracey Noonan Wheeler will anchor the event.
Creative Unconference takes place on October 4th at Holyoke Community College.
And! A whopping ticket discount code is now available (read to the end to find it).
Who is Tracey Noonan Wheeler?
Tracey Noonan Wheeler will deliver the keynote address. Wheeler is the co-founder and CEO of Wicked Good Cupcakes, a Boston-born brand that became a national sensation after her appearance on Shark Tank.
Her journey is one of entrepreneurship, creativity, and resilience: from launching the business in 2010 with her daughter Dani, to scaling it into a thriving brand, writing books, engaging in public speaking and mentoring, and sharing lessons from both her wins and setbacks.
And yet, for all her success, Wheeler remains strikingly grounded. A few weeks ago, on the Jamilia Grier Show, she reflected:
“I’m not ever gonna be the smartest, the most successful, the prettiest, the whatever, name the superlatives, all down the line. But I’m a pretty cool chick, and I’m in a really good place now, and I help people, and I do the things that I love, and I have a person who loves me that I love, and I’m really okay, but it took me this long to get to this point.”
It’s that mix of honesty, resilience, and relatability that makes her keynote a must-hear.
Meet the featured panel
Joining Wheeler on the program is a featured panel that highlights the breadth and width of creative impact in various aspects of the economy.
From Boston comes Jamie McIver, a strategist and communications leader whose work with PRSA Boston has centered on building meaningful connections between organizations and the communities they serve. McIver is widely recognized for helping brands find their authentic voice while also guiding them through the complexities of modern public relations.
Representing higher education is Kamilah A’Vant, Assistant Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Arts & Sciences. A’Vant’s career spans education, leadership, and media, and she is known for embedding social justice practices into both curriculum and campus culture. Her presence on the panel underscores the role of education in shaping the next generation of creative leaders.
On the media front, Elizabeth Román, the Executive Editor of News at New England Public Media (NEPM), brings nearly two decades of journalism experience. Based in Springfield, Román has led initiatives to diversify news coverage, expand Spanish-language content, and reimagine how public media connects with the communities it serves. She offers a perspective rooted in both local accountability and broader media innovation.
Finally, Frank Borrelli of American International College (AIC) represents the creative power of the arts and education working together. At AIC, he has spearheaded the creation of the Division of Arts, Media, and Design, building programs that give students real-world experience in theater, arts management, and communications. His work emphasizes collaboration and the ways that creativity can strengthen both campus and community life.
Together, these four voices form a panel that is less about titles and more about the lived work of reshaping culture, communication, and community impact.
Who needs to be at the Creative Unconference?
Creative Unconference is positioning itself as more than just talks and panels. Most of the program is set aside for participants to decide what to talk about and to network with each other.
This is a great opportunity for media creatives, marketing and communications professionals, marketing students, and other creatives in the region to come together and get reignited.
It’s a chance to hear from people who are shaping the creative economy and conversations in Massachusetts and beyond and to connect with other creatives.
Here’s your discount code
Robyn Lee Miller, one of the conference organizers and founder of MorningBird Media, has generously shared a discount code for tickets to the conference.
Tickets are on sale, and this code makes them more accessible.
DISCOUNT CODE: BIRD35. Use at checkout to get 35% off ticket price.
Register for Creative Unconference here.
CONTRIBUTOR
Inc413 News Team
The Inc413 news team compiles business stories from across Western Massachusetts and beyond. Our primary focus is on stories that have an impact on small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the people they employ.
