As we close the book on 2025, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of events that brought together marketing professionals across the San Francisco Bay Area. From intimate networking socials to large-scale award celebrations, AMA SF continued its mission to foster professional learning and career advancement while building a stronger marketing community.  We not only had in person events, but also an ongoing Podcast that is already on its second season.

Here’s a look back at the highlights from our 2025 event calendar:

January: Kicking Off the Year in South Bay

Marketing Social Hour: South Bay (January 30)

We started the year by taking our popular social hour series to the South Bay, giving marketing professionals in the region a chance to connect, share ideas, and build relationships in a relaxed evening atmosphere. This event set the tone for a year focused on expanding our reach across the entire Bay Area.

February: Super Bowl Sunday Done Right

Superbowl Commercial Showdown @ Duncan Channon (February 13)

What better way to celebrate America’s biggest advertising showcase than with fellow marketing professionals? We partnered with Duncan Channon to host our annual Super Bowl Commercial Showdown, where attendees gathered to watch, critique, and celebrate the year’s most creative advertising efforts. The energy in the room was electric as we debated which brands nailed their $7 million investment and which fell flat.

March: San Francisco Social Hour

Marketing Social Hour: San Francisco (March 26)

Our flagship social hour series made its way to Nightingale Bar in San Francisco, providing downtown marketers with an evening of networking and connection. These quarterly gatherings have become a staple for professionals looking to expand their networks and stay connected with the pulse of Bay Area marketing.

April: Back to South Bay

Marketing Social Hour: South Bay (April 24)

Responding to strong demand, we returned to the South Bay for another evening of networking and community building. The consistent turnout at our South Bay events reinforced the importance of bringing programming to marketing professionals wherever they are in the region.

June: Education and Mentorship

Brand to Demand: How to Build a Brand that Builds Business (June 5)

At Golden Gate University, we hosted an educational seminar focused on one of marketing’s most critical challenges: connecting brand-building efforts to business results. This session provided practical frameworks for demonstrating marketing’s impact on the bottom line.

BAARC Mentorship Program Launch

In partnership with BAARC, sfBIG, and PRSA, we kicked off our 2025 mentorship program with an informational meeting on June 12. This collaborative effort brought together marketing and advertising professionals across organizations to create learning opportunities for mentees and mentors in areas of career growth, leadership development, and group dynamics. The program featured monthly sessions, Fireside Chats, and Office Hours throughout the year.

July: Celebrating Excellence

Excellence in Marketing Awards Summer Party (July 24)

Our midsummer celebration at Spark Social SF recognized outstanding marketing work across the Bay Area. The Excellence in Marketing Awards have become the region’s premier recognition program for creative and strategic marketing excellence, and this year’s summer party brought together award winners, nominees, and supporters for an unforgettable evening of celebration.

August: Walking for a Cause

BAARC – On Your Feet Again Charity Fundraiser Walk (August 21)

AMA SF proudly supported BAARC’s “On Your Feet Again” charity walk, helping raise funds for advertising and marketing professionals who have fallen on hard times. This event exemplified our commitment to supporting our professional community beyond just business networking—we’re here for each other through all of life’s challenges.

September: Innovation and Collaboration

Marketing Hackathon 2025 (September 18)

At Golden Gate University, we brought together marketing minds for an intensive day of creative problem-solving and innovation. The Marketing Hackathon challenged participants to develop real solutions to marketing challenges, fostering collaboration and creativity in a fast-paced, competitive environment.

Partnership Happy Hour in the Tri-Valley (September 23)

AMA SF joined forces with PMI San Francisco and PMI Silicon Valley for a cross-chapter networking event at Lone Oak Bar & Kitchen in Pleasanton. This partnership event brought together marketers and project managers, recognizing that the most successful initiatives happen when different disciplines collaborate effectively.

October: Hands-On AI Training

AI Workshop: Hands-On Usage of Popular AI Systems (October 23)

Led by AI expert Stephen Fraga, this wasn’t your typical panel discussion or lecture—it was a hands-on workshop designed to help marketing professionals actually use AI tools effectively. With Stephen’s 20+ years of training experience and deep expertise in ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Midjourney, attendees left with practical skills they could immediately apply to their marketing work.

December: Holiday Celebration

Tinsel & Tiki: AMA SF Holiday Social 2025 (December 11)

We wrapped up the year with a festive holiday celebration at Bamboo Hut in San Francisco. “Tinsel & Tiki” brought together tropical vibes with holiday cheer for an unforgettable evening of networking, celebration, and gratitude for another successful year of community building.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we reflect on 2025, we’re grateful for the incredible turnout, engagement, and energy our members brought to every event. From South Bay to San Francisco, from educational workshops to social celebrations, AMA SF continued to serve as the connector for marketing professionals across the Bay Area.

The diversity of our programming—spanning networking socials, educational seminars, competitive hackathons, awards celebrations, and charitable initiatives—reflects our commitment to serving the whole marketing professional, not just their career development but their community connection and personal growth as well.

Thank you to everyone who attended an event, volunteered their time, sponsored a program, or simply stayed engaged with AMA SF throughout 2025. You are what makes this community thrive.

Here’s to an even more impactful 2026!