March 1–3, 2027 JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa Scottsdale, AZ

Marketing Leadership Retreat

150 B2B marketing executives. Application only.
Come spend two days out of the office to learn from your fellow marketing execs.

Apply for your ticket
Brought to you by Event sponsor

2026 companies in attendance

  • HP
  • Morningstar
  • TriNet
  • Yext
  • Vanta
  • Ahrefs
  • Bitly
  • Attentive
  • GoodLeap
  • Global Payments

Who’s in the room

  • Speaker Dave Kellogg

    Dave Kellogg

    EIR

  • Speaker Alice de Courcy

    Alice de Courcy

    CMO

  • Speaker R. Ethan Braden

    R. Ethan Braden

    VP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

  • Ido Mart

    Ido Mart

    CMO

  • Heather Smith

    Heather Smith

    CMO

  • Madhav Bhandari

    Madhav Bhandari

    VP of Marketing

  • Mark Staples

    Mark Staples

    VP of Global Marketing

  • Carly Berna

    Carly Berna

  • Pejman Roshan

    Pejman Roshan

    CMO

  • John McClellan

    John McClellan

    VP of Marketing

  • Lisa Cole

    Lisa Cole

    CMO

  • Amit Sharan

    Amit Sharan

    CMO

  • Jordan Voskuil

    Jordan Voskuil

    VP of Marketing

  • Debi Dowling

    Debi Dowling

    CMO

  • Kaveh Motamed

    Kaveh Motamed

    Head of Growth Marketing

  • Simon Akrouche

    Simon Akrouche

    Lead, Global Growth Strategy

  • Erin Sarris

    Erin Sarris

    Senior Director of Content Strategy

What last year’s attendees said

“The Marketing Leadership Retreat was the most valuable marketing event I’ve ever attended. The level of candor in the room, paired with the caliber of leaders, created real, unfiltered conversations about what it actually takes to operate as a CMO right now. I walked away with a stronger conviction in what I’m doing well and a clearer view of where I need to push myself further. I can’t wait to attend again next year.”
Rebecca C. SVP of Marketing, Yext
“I’ve never been around this many marketing executives who all showed up with their whole selves, were present, had their guards down, and were just genuinely interested in getting better, figuring stuff out together, and meeting new people.”
Colin K. CMO, SC&H
“The Exit Five Marketing Leadership Retreat delivered. The AI-related discussions were timely and powerful, and the team’s thoughtful approach to grouping attendees by relevance sparked some of the best organic conversations I’ve had at an industry event. Great venue, great energy, and a strong balance of structure and free networking.”
Kira K. VP of Corporate Marketing, Later

What to expect

Breakout sessions led by your peers

Breakout sessions led by your peers

Each breakout is moderated by a peer. They’re designed to facilitate candid discussions on the topic at hand. Everything is off the record, nothing is recorded.

You'll be put in a room with around 40 of your peers to discuss on of each of these topics: AI transformation, differentiation, managing up, and running marketing. You'll hear what everyone is doing, who they hired, what has worked, what they are spending, how they solved the problem you're currently going through – or just realize you are not alone. You'll leave with a notebook filled with ideas and insight so you can ask the tough questions and make changes in your org.

Learn from seasoned marketing executives

Learn from seasoned marketing executives

This year you’ll hear from two marketing execs who’ve done the job at scale and are willing to talk about what it took, including what they got wrong. Last year’s keynote was the most talked-about session in our attendee survey, so both keynotes this year follow the same format: a prepared presentation, frameworks you can use, and time for your questions.

Get matched with other execs at your level

Get matched with other execs at your level

This has become one of the most popular things we do in our community. Each day you’ll huddle up with a small group of marketing executives in similar roles, company sizes, and go-to-market motions, to vent with your peers. These are guided conversations meant to spark ideas, share what’s working, and build relationships that last long after the retreat.

Build relationships that outlast the event

Build relationships that outlast the event

This entire retreat is set up to connect you with people you’ll keep in your circle long after it’s over.

We’ve built connection into every part of the experience: shared meals, cocktail hours, wellness activities, and networking sessions to help you meet as many people as possible early on. From there, you’ll have two full days to go deeper and build the kind of relationships that turn into friends you can call up when you need something.

The make or break of any event is usually the people. And the ones you meet here will help you solve your next big problem, land your next role, or just remind you you’re not doing this alone.

Relaxing activities to help you recharge

Relaxing activities to help you recharge

Beyond the sessions, you’ll have time built into the agenda to step away from Slack and take advantage of everything the resort has to offer. We’ll coordinate it all for you, whether that’s a massage, a round of golf, or just getting outside, so you can recharge, clear your head, and connect with fellow marketers in a setting that’s a little less formal and a lot more fun.

All-inclusive VIP treatment

All-inclusive VIP treatment

You spend all day making decisions. For two days, we’re taking most of them off your plate.

You’ll have a room at the JW Marriott included in your ticket. Along with all programming, activities, meals and drinks covered too. You won’t open your wallet once.

Our team is on-site the whole time to help make your retreat amazing.

Book your flight into PHX. We’ll take it from there.

Topics to expect

Building an AI-ready marketing team

What are you doing with AI at work? How are you training your team? How are you managing expectations from the other execs and the board? What is working? What is not?

How to run marketing in 2027

How do you actually run the marketing team? What is your operating system? Cadence? What KPIs do you have? How do you set goals? Who reports to who? What meetings do you have?

Leading beyond the marketing team

Beyond doing good marketing, the biggest part of the job of a B2B marketing leader is managing up and around the org. How do you manage the expectations of the CEO? The board? How do you successfully work with other execs? Internal marketing?

Building a brand that stands out

The hardest thing about marketing and building a brand today is standing out; how do you stand out in a crowded market? What is working? What is not? How are you positioning? Messaging? How do you compete with AI and shrinking attention spans and crowded categories?

Agenda

We’re still finalizing a few things, so the agenda may shift. The final schedule will go out to attendees before the event.

Day 1 March 1, 2027 Day 2 March 2, 2027 Day 3 March 3, 2027

Monday

March 1, 2027

  • 10:00–1:00 PM Registration
  • 12:00–1:00 PM Lunch
  • 1:00–1:15 PM Welcome from Dave Gerhardt
  • 1:15–2:00 PM Keynote Speaker: R. Ethan Braden
  • 2:15–3:15 PM Breakout Session: Building an AI-ready marketing team
  • 3:30–4:30 PM Breakout Session: How to run marketing in 2027
  • 4:45–5:30 PM Peer Matchmaking
  • 7:30–9:30 PM Dinner
  • 9:30–10:30 PM Cocktails

Tuesday

March 2, 2027

  • 6:00–6:45 AM Hike
  • 7:15–8:00 AM Breakfast
  • 8:00–8:45 AM Keynote Speaker: Alice de Courcy
  • 8:45–9:30 AM Keynote Speaker: Dave Kellogg
  • 9:45–10:45 AM Breakout Session: Leading beyond the marketing team
  • 11:00–11:45 AM Peer Matchmaking
  • 11:45–12:45 PM Lunch
  • 12:45–1:45 PM Breakout Session: Building a brand that stands out
  • 2:00–2:45 PM Peer Matchmaking
  • 3:30–6:00 PM Activities: Spa / Golf / Pool Hang
  • 6:30–8:30 PM Dinner
  • 8:30–10:00 PM Cocktails

Wednesday

March 3, 2027

  • Morning Depart

2027 Tickets & Pricing

Executive member

For Exit Five Executive Members only. The same experience as General Admission, at a special member rate. Enjoy two days of programming, community, and connection with full lodging, meals, and activities included.

Early Access $2,799

Tickets include lodging, all meals, all programming, and activities

Regular $2,999

Apply for your ticket

Application required. Purchase after approval.

Not an executive member yet? Click here to learn more.

General admission ticket

Join 150 B2B marketing executives for two days of sessions, small-group conversations, and downtime at the JW Marriott. Everything’s handled for you, from your room to your meals.

Early Access $3,299

Tickets include lodging, all meals, all programming, and activities

Regular $3,499

Apply for your ticket

Application required. Purchase after approval.

Both tickets are all-inclusive

Lodging, meals, drinks, activities and gratuities.

  • Full access to all keynotes, breakout sessions, peer matchmaking, and activities
  • Two nights at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
  • All meals included (breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee breaks, and cocktail receptions)
  • Access to afternoon and evening networking events
  • Access to activities like the spa, golf, and workouts

Apply for your ticket

Two days at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn with 150 B2B marketing leaders who understand what you do. Bring the decision you’ve been sitting on, and leave with a plan and a few new people to call when the next one comes up.

There are only 150 spots available. Tickets include lodging, meals, and drinks, plus full access to programming and activities.

All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be issued.

March 1–3, 2027 JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa Scottsdale, AZ

Sponsors

Storylane

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FAQs

For all additional questions, please email us at hi@exitfive.com with the subject line “Marketing Leadership Retreat”.

hi@exitfive.com
Where will the Marketing Leadership Retreat be held?

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, AZ. The resort is nestled between Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain and features private casitas, a spacious pool, three restaurants, a golf course, and full service spa that recently underwent $26M in renovations. The resort is across the street from our 2026 venue so the airport is still only a 15 minute ride away.

Why are there applications for this event?

The retreat is built for CMOs and VPs of Marketing at B2B companies with $25M+ in revenue. Applications help us make sure everyone in the room is a peer and going through the same challenges.

What criteria is Exit Five using to determine who gets a ticket?

We’re looking for CMOs and VPs of Marketing (or equivalent) at B2B companies with $25M+ in revenue. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, apply anyway and we’ll let you know.

How many tickets are available for the Marketing Leadership Retreat?

150 tickets are available this year.

What’s included in a ticket?

Your ticket covers two nights at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn, all meals, snacks, coffee, and drinks, full access to programming, activities, and all gratuities. The only thing you need to book is your flight.

What’s the application and notification process?

Apply through the form on this page. We review applications on a rolling basis and will notify you if you have or have not been approved. If you’re approved, you’ll get a link to complete your ticket purchase.

What airport should I fly into?

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), once you arrive the resort is a 15 minute Uber ride away.

When should I fly in and out of PHX?

Fly into PHX on Monday before 2 PM so you have time to settle into your room before the event starts. Plan to fly out of PHX on Thursday morning since we’ll have programming going all the way through Wednesday evening.

What is our refund and ticket transfer policy?

All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be issued. Ticket transfers are allowed until January 1, 2026 but must be coordinated in advance with our team. Any payment exchanged as part of a transfer is strictly between the original ticket holder and the recipient. Exit Five is not responsible for facilitating or managing payments between parties. Due to the limited size and curated nature of this event, we’re unable to accommodate last-minute changes. Please confirm your availability before purchasing.

Is there a way I can see who is going before the event?

Yes! We will create a WhatsApp group that all attendees will be added to so you can chat with everyone before the event. We will also send important announcements in there in addition to emails so you never miss an update.

Is there a dress code?

Yes, please dress in business casual.