DMLA Leadership + AI Summit
September 30, 2026 |
Harvard Club, NYC

Registration is now open!

DMLA Leadership + AI Summit

Harvard Club, New York City
September 30, 2026

Discounts End August 31

THE PROGRAM IS TAKING SHAPE:

One afternoon. The conversations shaping the future of digital media.


12:30 — Networking Lunch

2:00 PM — Keynote — From Archives to Insight with Kira Pollack

2:45 PM — Leading Through Transformation

3:45 PM — Building an AI Ecosystem We Can Trust

4:45 PM — The Next 75 Years - Interactive executive roundtables

5:30 - 8:00 — 75th Anniversary Celebratory Reception

Who You’ll Hear From

Leaders joining the conversations:

Headshot of Kira Pollack

KIRA POLLACK
Keynote Speaker
Global Jury Chair, World Press Photo 2026 | Two-time Emmy Award Winner | Time • Vanity Fair • NYT Magazine

Headshot for Mikayel Khachatryan, CEO, Wirestock

Ruha Devanesan
Head of Images & Media Partnerships
Google

Mikayel Khachatryan
CEO
Wirestock

Yair Adato
CEO
Bria AI

Kristin Heitmann
Global Chief Revenue Officer
The Associated Press

Yonah Levenson
Co-Founder/Instructor DAM Certificate Program
Rutgers University

Fred Sanuy
CEO
Activo

Paul Melcher
Founder & Managing Director
Melcher Systems

Stefano De Alessandri
CEO & MD
ANSA News Agency

Mark Milstein
Data Partnerships & Strategic Development
Microstock Solutions

Joe Naylor
CEO
ImageRights International

headshot for Leslie Hughes

Leslie Hughes
CEO
iSPY Technologies
Executive Director
DMLA

Founding & Lead AI Summit Partner

With leaders joining from organizations including:

Senior leaders are joining us from across content, technology, AI, news, licensing, rights, legal and the broader digital media ecosystem.

Join the conversation in New York.
September 30 • Harvard Club

DMLA member & partner discounts ends August 31.

75 Years of Leadership.
A New Era for DMLA.

We are now the Digital Media Leadership Alliance

For 75 years, DMLA has been a trusted voice in media licensing—setting standards, supporting creators, and advocating for the protection of rights.

Today, we take the next step.

We are expanding from a focus on licensing to leadership, and a broader role across the digital media ecosystem—bringing together leaders in content, technology, rights, AI, and policy to help shape what comes next.

Same DNA, broader vision. 


From Licensing to Leadership

Expanding our leadership across the full digital media ecosystem—
spanning content, technology, rights, and innovation.


Across the ecosystem:

  • Content creation

  • Global distribution

  • Licensing & rights management

  • AI & technology innovation

  • Metadata & 'discoverability

  • Legal & policy leadership

Computer screen displaying a grid of landscape photographs, including snow-capped mountains, a person holding a sparkler at sunset, and various natural scenes.
Large screen displaying panelists' photos and names at a conference, with five people sitting at a panel table below. The panelists include Jake Athey, Kathleen Cameron, Matthew Mann, Misti Vogt, and Kara Van Malssen.

Leading the Digital Media Ecosystem

Advocacy — Shaping policy, copyright, and the future of AI

Education — Insights and intelligence for a rapidly evolving industry

Connectivity — A global network across content, technology, and law

Uniting creators, distributors, technology innovators, and legal leaders.

People socializing and networking at an indoor event or conference with a colorful abstract mural in the background.

Lead. Influence. Connect.

Join the leaders shaping the future of digital media

Built on advocacy, education, and connectivity—DMLA membership connects you to the people, insights, and influence driving the industry forward.

Whether you are a creator, distributor, technology innovator, or legal expert—this is where the ecosystem comes together.



Shape what’s next.

Join our community of industry leaders across content, technology, and law—working together to define the future of the industry.

The media landscape isn't just changing; it’s being rewritten. Today, content, technology, and AI are inseparable. Our new name signals our evolution—from observers to active collaborators. Whether you are a disruptive startup or a global powerhouse, we are here to ensure your voice defines the future of the industry.

Contact

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Email
admin@dmla.org