Let’s be real, 2017 wasn’t all kittens and rainbows. This past year got a bit of a bad rap, it’s true, but we want to end it on a positive note by highlighting some of Ad 2 Austin’s best (and proudest!) moments.

Our board members chimed in, too, so take a look:

Invest in the Future

Our main goal is to always perpetuate the camaraderie and close relationships that have become the cornerstone of not just Ad 2 Austin, but all Ad 2 clubs across the United States. Dax Patton, our former president and current executive advisor, thinks 2017 has been one of our most successful years thus far. (Gorgeous rebrand most definitely included.)

“The club is in the best position I’ve seen in over six years. We have an amazing board full of motivated young professionals who care so much about the future of the organization. I’m so proud to be part of Ad 2 Austin, and I am so excited to watch it grow.”

Dax Patton, 2017-18 Executive Advisor

Welcome, Next Gen

Our board of directors has become a tight-knit group, and it’s facilitated the growth we’ve experienced over the past year.  Our presence is especially strong on surrounding college campuses as our Education and Student Relations Committee spreads the word about Ad 2 Austin.

“We definitely saw an increase in engagement with local students this year, especially at Texas State, thanks to strong representation by Angela and Samantha. Students are the next generation and the future of this industry, so I’m really proud to see more students getting involved with Ad 2 Austin.”

Susy Horrigan, 2017-18 President

Public Service… Well, They Kick Ass

Ad 2 Austin’s annual Public Service campaign requires so much dedication and hard work that it has become a landmark undertaking for all Ad 2 chapters, and Code2College, our selection this year, has only added fuel to the fire.

“[This year] I’m proud of all the growth we’re experiencing on the public service team. We’ve had more non-profit applications submitted and more hours contributed from the team, and I am so impressed by the level of dedication and talent.”

Chris Welhausen, 2017-18 Public Service Co-Chair

The enthusiasm reached a new high when members from other committees, including Membership Committee Chair Kayluis Peña, stated that this year’s public service campaign selection was a serious point of pride for them.

“I’m most proud of our Public Service Committee for choosing an amazing nonprofit to work with this year. Code2College is teaching students of underrepresented backgrounds valuable skills that will prepare them for success within the Austin tech scene, and it will eventually translate into more diverse workplaces in the future.”

Kayluis Peña, 2017-18 Membership Chair

Save the Date(s)

Our Programs Committee is behind our event scheduling, and together we’ve held and participated in a whole heck of a lot of events -- including our annual ATXCAN, multiple workshops with Job Propulsion Lab, monthly AdSocial happy hours, and the kickoff to our traveling happy hour series, Kegs With Legs.

“[This year I’m proud of] Increasing membership by 40 members and hosting events that earned enough revenue to support our travel expenses for Ad 2 national conferences.”

Madison Scullin, 2017-18 Vice President

Communication, Y’all

We launched a brand new website this year, woot! Our rebrand brought not only a new web presence, but also a refreshed style guide and an internal communications guide to streamline the back-and-forth between committees.

“One of the things I’m most proud of this year is our Communications Committee’s dedication to the future of Ad 2 Austin. It’s one thing to maintain our social media and send out newsletters, but it’s another thing entirely to spend countless hours building guides and adding structure to our club that will help our leadership for years to come.”

Becca Messenger, 2017-18 Communications Co-Chair

Back to Basics

It’s easy to get wrapped up in career paths and professional trajectories, and that’s why Ad 2 Austin prioritizes people.  It’s about relationships, sharing knowledge, and making human connections.

“I’m proud of Ad 2 Austin’s dedication to humanity. I think it’s important to remember the faces behind a company or an industry, and Ad 2 Austin makes it is mission to see those faces and figure out how to better serve them. That’s a big part of what makes Ad 2 Austin worthwhile to me.”

Kathryn Duft, 2017-18 Communications Co-Chair

Smell Ya Later, 2017

The effort we’ve seen from members across committees this year is unparalleled, and there aren’t enough words to express the impact everyone’s hard work has made on our recent successes.

So while others may be ready to leave 2017 in the dust, we’re pretty proud. And though we’re thrilled about how far we’ve come, we are even more excited about what lies ahead of us. We hope you’ll join us next year. #Ad2YourYear