The New Rules of Search: Getting Found in the Age of AI

Search is changing fast—and AI is opening an entirely new era of visibility. Traditional SEO is no longer the only path to being discovered as platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini and AI-powered search engines reshape how people find brands, products and expertise.

Join AZIMA for an exciting in-person panel event featuring industry leaders across SEO, PR and emerging AI technologies. This high-energy evening will dive into what it really means to be “findable” in the age of AI—and what strategies, tools and signals marketers should be paying attention to right now.

This isn’t a webinar or a replay—it’s a live, in-person conversation with experts who are actively navigating this shift. Whether you’re leading search strategy, creating content or building a brand’s digital presence, you’ll walk away with timely insights, practical takeaways and meaningful connections with Arizona’s marketing community.

What You’ll Learn:

• How AI search differs from traditional SEO—and why it’s changing the rules
• The growing role of PR, authority and credibility in AI-generated results
• Technical foundations that help AI platforms find and trust your content
• Emerging tools and platforms shaping the future of visibility
• Practical steps you can take now to improve discoverability

Panelists Include:

Moderator

Stephen Heitz, Chief Innovation Officer, LAVIDGE
Named CinO of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and recognized by Forbes as “Best of the Web,” Stephen leads innovation at LAVIDGE, helping brands innovate at the intersection of digital, media, marketing, technology, and AI—turning complexity into clarity and data into growth.

Panelists

Andrea Aker, CEO, Aker Ink PR & Marketing
Andrea Aker is the CEO of Aker Ink, an integrated agency blending PR and digital marketing strategies. She has helped companies nationwide break barriers, engage with new audiences and exceed lead generation goals. Andrea oversees the agency’s approach to strategy, innovation and client service, ensuring every initiative is purposeful and tied to business objectives. Under her leadership, Aker Ink is recognized as one of Arizona’s top agencies.

Robert Maynard, Founder, GEO Locus Group
Robert Maynard is a Phoenix-based technology entrepreneur and multi-time founder whose companies include LifeLock and Internet America; both went public. His most recent project, Geolocus.ai, is focused on building AI infrastructure for mid-sized businesses.

Jayson Akers, Director of SEO, V Digital
Jayson Akers is a digital marketing strategist with 20+ years of experience leading organic search strategy. He specializes in AI-driven search—including Google’s AI Overviews (AIO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—helping brands adapt for modern discovery.

Kevin Meyers, Marketing Engineer, Market Brew
Kevin Meyers is a marketing and technology executive with a track record of building growth strategies for consumer and technology brands. He has held leadership roles with Market Brew, Donatos, Act!, Saleslogix and Cold Stone Creamery, blending CRM, data and AI-driven systems to solve business challenges.

Chris Humphrey, SEO Manager, Choice Hotels
Chris Humphrey leads organic search strategy across content and technical SEO at Choice Hotels, using AI and automation to drive smarter decisions at scale.

Food and drinks will be served—because learning is better when there are tacos involved.