AdPR Week 2026 embraces pivots, flexibility and adaptability

The Grady College’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations is beyond excited to celebrate its annual AdPR Week from Oct. 5-9, 2026. This AdPR Week’s theme is how flexibility, curiosity and the courage to pivot can shape more resilient and rewarding career by embracing the power of adaptability, reinvention and change. A week-long celebration will feature AdPR alumni and industry leaders’ accomplishments and career advice via keynote presentations, class visits, networking opportunities, and an immersive learning trip to Delta Air Lines’ world headquarters in Atlanta.

One of the major highlights of this year’s AdPR Week is the week-long giving campaign designed to double the impact and empower the next generations of communicators. The goal for this year’s giving campaign is to raise $7,500 to support and expand multiple hands-on learning experiences for AdPR students. When we reach the goal, an additional $7,500 matching gift will be unlocked—doubling the impact of every gift.

An overview of 2026 AdPR  Week’s Schedule

Monday, Oct. 5

AdPR Week kicks off on Monday, Oct. 5, with an immersive learning day at Delta Air Lines. A selected group of faculty and students will visit Delta Air Lines’ world headquarters in Atlanta to strengthen industry engagement and corporate partnership. The AdPR Delta Day will feature professional speakers’ panels, Q&As with young alumni and senior leadership, and corporate tours to learn all things about Delta.  

Tuesday, Oct. 6

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, AdPR welcomed Geoff Curtis, Co-Founder of Future Voices Collective and former Chief Communications Officer at Horizon Therapeutics with a keynote presentation, “The Unplanned Career: Detours are the Point.”.

• Time: 9:55 to 11:15 AM
• Location: Peyton Anderson Forum (Room 238) in Grady College

Wednesday, Oct. 7

The celebration continues on Wednesday, Oct. 7, with our biannual Dawgs with the Dean social event, held on the Schnitzer Family Media Lawn. It is a well-loved tradition that brings together students, alumni and faculty to celebrate Grady’s close-knit community.

• Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Location: Schnitzer Family Media Lawn

Thursday, Oct. 8

On Thursday, Oct. 8, the Hearst Visiting Professional Series will feature an outstanding AdPR alumna, Sherri Chambers (ABJ ’94), Chief Marketing Officer at Hearst Magazines. Sherri’s talk will be about “The Joy of the Pivot: Brand Building across the Broad.”

• Time: 11:35 AM to 12:55 PM
• Location: Peyton Anderson Forum (Room 238) in Grady College

“As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace and accelerated the pace of change, the ability to adapt has become an essential part of professional development. Through the talks and corporate visits, we hope to help our students understand and appreciate how unexpected turns, new technology and opportunities, and moments of change can become catalysts of meaningful professional growth,” said  Dr. Juan Meng, Department Head and UGA Athletic Association Endowed Professor. “By embracing flexibility and adaptability, it is critical to support students to develop the mindset and skills to thrive under the transformative impact of AI.”

As an early celebration, AdPR is thrilled to welcome a group of senior media strategy experts to share firsthand insight on managing major media budgets and navigating the business side of advertising and media, “How to Spend Someone Else’s Millions: A Guide for Future Media Professionals.”

• Date: Tuesday, September 29
• Time: 1:15 to 2:35 PM
• Location: Studio 100 in Grady College

As one of the nation’s top-ranked advertising and public relations programs, AdPR@Grady is committed to providing students with the resources, mentorship and opportunities they need to succeed in an evolving industry. AdPR Week exemplifies that mission, connecting students with alumni and industry leaders to learn and grow.

Contact: Juan Meng, jmeng@uga.edu