DPAA Summit: American Eagle And Expedia CMOs To Discuss Real-World Connections

American Eagle Outfitters and the Expedia Group are set to share their insights on bridging digital engagement with in-person experiences at the 14th annual DPAA Global Video Everywhere Summit, scheduled for October 13 at Pier Sixty in New York City, as reported by invis.com.

Under the theme "Real Connections," the summit will explore how brands can leverage digital tools — including artificial intelligence — to preserve meaningful consumer interactions in physical settings. Both companies will discuss how digital discovery and marketing efforts translate into real-world activities like shopping in stores and traveling to destinations.

Craig Brommers, CMO of American Eagle Outfitters, will appear alongside Stagwell Vice Chairman David Sable in a session called "Screens, Scrolls & Stores: The Return of Real-World Connection." Their conversation will address the retailer's deployment of digital campaigns, Times Square advertising, content creators and mall activations to reach younger shoppers. Physical retail continues to play a central role in the customer journey: eMarketer figures cited by DPAA indicate that 82.6% of U.S. retail sales in 2026 are projected to occur in brick-and-mortar stores.

Jochen Koedijk, CMO of Expedia Group, will tackle AI's role in travel planning and booking during a session titled "Where AI Meets the Real World: Rethinking the Traveler Journey." The discussion will examine how travelers employ AI to find destinations and organize trips while still turning to established travel brands for actual purchases. Expedia Group research cited in the announcement found that 68% of travelers favor booking through a trusted travel brand over an AI chatbot or agent, even when AI booking options exist.

The DPAA Global Video Everywhere Summit is anticipated to draw roughly 1,000 participants from brands, agencies, media platforms and technology firms.