Expert Events

Human Connection in the Age of AI: Why Trust and Relationships are Becoming the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

Name: Human Connection in the Age of AI: Why Trust and Relationships are Becoming the Ultimate Competitive Advantage
Start: 2026-08-25T11:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-08-25T12:30:00-05:00
Location: Virtual

Join Blend and senior marketing leaders from across North America for a candid discussion on why human connection is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. Through peer exchange and shared experiences, attendees will explore how executive engagement, communities, and relationship-driven growth strategies are helping organizations build trust, influence buying committees, and strengthen customer loyalty at scale.

Virtual

August 25, 2026

to August 25, 2026

11:00 am

- 12:30 pm

About this event

As AI transforms marketing through automation, personalization, and scale, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the more digital the buyer journey becomes, the more valuable human connection becomes.

Join senior marketing leaders from across North America for a candid discussion on how organizations are building trust, influence, and meaningful relationships in an increasingly automated world. Together, we’ll explore the evolving role of executive engagement, peer-to-peer communities, and relationship-driven growth strategies, as well as why authentic human connection may become the ultimate competitive advantage in modern B2B marketing.

Through peer exchange and shared experiences, attendees will discuss how leading brands are balancing digital efficiency with human engagement, navigating increasingly complex buying committees, and creating lasting relationships that accelerate growth and strengthen customer loyalty.

This conversation isn’t about whether AI will reshape marketing (spoiler alert: it already has). It’s about understanding what becomes more valuable when everything else becomes automated.

Our speakers

Colin Cosell

Head of Community - New York & Boston

Colin Cosell is a professional emcee, announcer, and executive communications expert with more than 25 years of experience across television, radio, film, stage, and corporate events. When he’s not at the lectern or moderating executive panels, Colin serves as the Public Address Announcer for the New York Mets, Army Football, the Premier Lacrosse League, and numerous other professional and collegiate teams. Over the course of his career, Colin has earned three Emmy Awards and has announced to more than 30 million attendees worldwide. His greatest source of pride, however, are his wife, Julia, and their little girl, Eloise.

Jeff Tepel

CRO & Co-Founder | Blend

Jeff Tepel is Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Blend, the global leadership community bringing together C-level enterprise leaders across industries and functions.

With more than a decade of experience in enterprise sales, business development and executive engagement, Jeff has built his career around creating meaningful relationships between senior leaders and helping organisations unlock new opportunities for growth. Prior to co-founding Blend, he held several senior leadership roles at GDS Group, including EVP & Head of Enterprise Sales.

Jeff co-founded Blend in 2023 alongside Stephen Gee after recognising a growing challenge among enterprise leaders: the need to step outside traditional industry and functional silos to access new perspectives, ideas and trusted peer relationships. Today, he plays a key role in Blend’s growth and global expansion, working closely with members and partners to build a community centred on cognitive diversity, authentic connection and better leadership.

Key themes & discussion topics

Human Connection in an AI-Driven World
Exploring how trust, relationships, and authentic engagement are becoming critical differentiators as AI transforms marketing and sales.

Executive Influence and Peer Networks
Examining the growing role of executive communities, peer-to-peer learning, and trusted relationships in shaping business decisions.

Engaging Complex Buying Committees
Discussing strategies for building meaningful connections across increasingly diverse and influential stakeholder groups.

The Evolving Role of Marketing and Growth
Understanding how marketers are balancing AI-driven efficiency with human-led experiences to drive engagement, loyalty, and long-term growth.

Event agenda

Welcome remarks

11:00 – 11:15 AM

Guided group discussion

11:15 – 12:15 PM

Closing thought & group reflection

12:15 – 12:30 PM

Why should you attend?

Hear how senior marketing leaders are balancing AI-driven efficiency with relationship-driven growth in today’s evolving landscape.

Learn how leading organizations are strengthening credibility, influence, and engagement with increasingly discerning buyers.

Discover how communities, peer networks, and executive relationships are shaping decision-making and business outcomes.

Exchange ideas and real-world experiences with fellow marketing and revenue leaders facing similar opportunities and obstacles.

Who should attend

This roundtable is designed for senior marketing and revenue leaders responsible for driving growth, pipeline creation, customer engagement, and account expansion.

The session will be particularly valuable for leaders exploring how executive engagement, communities, field marketing, and live experiences fit into an increasingly AI-driven go-to-market strategy.

Venue

Virtual

N/A

Apply to participate