Off the Wall Leadership

Off the Wall Leadership: Brand Relevance in the Age of AI

Some brands follow culture. Others help shape it.

For nearly 60 years, Vans has built a global following by staying close to the communities that inspire it. From skateboarding and music to art and creative expression, the brand has evolved with each new generation while remaining unmistakably Vans.

But what does it take to keep that connection alive? How do leaders recognize emerging trends, embrace new creators and ideas, and know what to preserve as the world changes around them? And how can AI accelerate innovation without replacing the human creativity and judgment that make brands distinctive?

Off the Wall Leadership brings together an intimate group of CMOs and select members of their teams who share a passion for brand building, creativity, and leadership.

Hosted by Virtuosi League and Vans at Vans Global Headquarters, the experience begins with a FOMO-inducing conversation featuring Steve “SVD” Van Doren, son of Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren, VP of Events & Promotions, and the brand's legendary “Ambassador of Fun,” alongside Daniel “DC” Cherry III, Global CMO of Vans.

Then, we're going behind the scenes.

From Vans' archives and creative spaces to its legendary skate culture, guests will experience firsthand the people, stories, and ideas that have helped shape the brand. We'll bring that inspiration into a lively leadership discussion before shifting gears into cocktails and our signature Dinner with Friends, with a distinctly Vans twist.

Expect fresh perspectives, great company, a little California attitude, and an experience that's anything but business as usual.

Why You Should Attend:

• Hear the stories behind the icon. Join Steve “SVD” Van Doren and Daniel “DC” Cherry for a rare conversation spanning the brand's founding roots and its future.
• Go inside Vans. Explore the archives, creative spaces, and skate culture that make Vans unlike any other brand.
• Get ahead of what's next. Explore how trends, creators, culture, and AI are reshaping the way brands connect with new generations.
• Trade perspectives with your peers. Join fellow CMOs and their teams for candid conversations about protecting what makes a brand distinctive while creating room for what's next.
• Stay for Dinner with Friends. Wind down the year with an extraordinary community of leaders, good food, and a little Off the Wall spirit.