Hailstorm Summit
May 12–14, 2027Raleigh, North CarolinaInaugural Year

The first live event built specifically for advertising business affairs.Motivate · Elevate · Celebrate

Two days of connecting, learning, and being inspired by the people who help creative ideas get out into the world cleared, contracted, and compliant — capped by The Stormies, the industry's first awards night celebrating the backbone of advertising.

Register for the Summit See the program
WhenWednesday May 12 – Friday May 14, 2027Welcome party Wed · Summit & Stormies Thu · Departures Fri
WhereDowntown Raleigh, NCRaleigh Marriott City Center · Historic Market Hall
Who200 seatsBA, producers, lawyers, account, clearance — anyone who wants to celebrate the BA community
Early bird$500 · then $600Early-bird pricing through January 14, 2027

Why attend

Elevating the backbone of advertising.

Every campaign that goes live is cleared, negotiated, and contracted by people whose names never appear in the credits. Hailstorm Summit is the first event that puts them in the room together — to learn from each other, celebrate the work we do, and elevate the practice.

"For my whole career in BA, the only get-togethers were annual law conferences — good for learning, but there's never been an actual moment dedicated to us or a celebration of the BA community. I figured it was about time."

— Michelle McKinney, Founder & CEO, Hailstorm

Connection

200 seats, one room: the amazing BA community from around the country plus industry guests — together in person.

Growth

Panels built to open discussions on the trends changing the job right now — from AI to celebrity partnerships — plus moments to inspire you and celebrate your peers.

Recognition

A stage, an awards night, and a community that finally recognizes the work behind the work.

Who should be here

If you make ad miracles happen, this is your room.

Business Affairs & Legal

Agency, brand-side, and outside counsel who clear, contract, and protect the work.

Heads of Production & Producers

The people who turn a scope and a budget into a finished spot.

Agents & Managers

Talent, celebrity, and creator representation on the other side of the table.

Music Industry

Music supervisors, composers, stock houses, labels, and publishers.

Content Creators & Influencers

Creators and their teams navigating brand deals, usage, and rights.

Stock, Font & Clearance

Licensing, clearance, and rights companies that keep campaigns compliant.

Limited to 200 attendees. Open registration — no invitation required.

Program

Two days in Raleigh.

Arrive Wednesday to register and enjoy a welcome cocktail, spend Thursday in the Summit sessions, and close the night at The Stormies. Full agenda, keynote, and panelists will be announced in the new year.

12
Wednesday · Day 1

Arrivals & Welcome

  • 3–4 PMRegistration & badge pickup
  • 4–6 PMWelcome cocktail party
Raleigh Marriott City Center
13
Thursday · Day 2

The Summit

  • 8 AMBreakfast & late registration
  • 9 AMOpening keynote
  • 9:40–12Panels 1, 2 & 3
  • 12 PMSponsored lunch
  • 1:10–3:35Panels 4, 5 & 6, with a coffee break
Raleigh Marriott City Center
13
Thursday · Evening

The Stormies

  • 5–6:30 PMCocktail hour
  • 7–8 PMGala dinner
  • 8–10 PMThe Stormies awards show
  • 10 PM–12 AMDJ & afterparty, open bar
Historic Market Hall, City Market

Friday, May 14 — departures. Times are subject to change; a detailed run-of-show is published to registered attendees in April.

Sessions

Six conversations the industry needs to have.

Each panel is built and moderated by industry professionals. Panelists announced early 2027.

Keynote

Opening keynote — to be announced

Thursday, 9:00–9:30 AM. Speaker announcement coming this winter.

Get announcements

  1. What makes a collaborative, creative BA partner?

    Creatives, account, and production on what they actually need from business affairs — and what gets in the way.

  2. AI, and how to navigate it as BA

    Legal, union, and PR perspectives on generative tools, talent likeness, and the contracts that haven't caught up yet.

  3. The current state of music in advertising

    Supervisors, composers, stock houses, and labels on licensing, budgets, and where the sync market is heading.

  4. The importance of mentors: having one, being one, growing one

    BA professionals across career stages on how the discipline passes itself on.

  5. Production insurance: what every BA and production team should know

    Brokers and producers on what is covered, what is not, and how to budget for risk on a commercial production.

  6. The art of negotiation & trends in celebrity partnership deals

    Agents and BA leads on how celebrity and creator deals get done in 2027 — terms, timelines, and leverage.

Thursday night · Historic Market Hall

The Stormies

The first awards show for the people behind the work. A sit-down gala dinner, an emcee, and nine awards presented — then a DJ afterparty and open bar.

FormatGala dinner · Awards · AfterpartyCocktail hour 5–6:30 PM · Dinner 7 PM · Show 8–10 PM · DJ until midnight
AwardsIndustry's Rising Star · The Butterfly · OG Pro · The Celebrity Whisperer · Music Maker · BA Impact · BA Mentor of the Year · Producer of the Year · The Hailstorm "Hell Yeah, That Was Amazing" Award
IncludedWith every Summit ticket
JanuaryNominations open
FebruaryNominations close
MarchFinalists announced
May 13Winners revealed
HAILSTORM SUMMIT THE STORMIES – 2027 Year's Most Recognized 2027 HONOREE

The 2027 Stormie

Raleigh

Two venues, one walkable downtown.

Both venues are in downtown Raleigh, minutes from each other and 20 minutes from RDU. Summit attendees get a group rate of $239 a night at the Raleigh Marriott City Center — book by Wednesday, April 14, 2027.

Book your room — $239/night

Hailstorm Summit at Raleigh Marriott City Center

500 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601 · Summit & welcome party

Your home base for both days: register, kick things off at the welcome cocktail party on day 1, and on day 2 enjoy breakfast, lunch, and all six panels. Stay right where it happens, with guest rooms on site and a direct connection to the Raleigh Convention Center. You'll be right on the Fayetteville Street pedestrian corridor, steps from downtown Raleigh's restaurants and shops.

Group rate $239/night · book by April 14, 2027

The Stormies at Historic Market Hall

214 E Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601 · The Stormies

Celebrate in a 1914 market hall in the heart of downtown Raleigh's historic City Market district. Known for its Belgian block cobblestone streets, vintage street lamps, and striking brick storefronts, it's a charming Southern backdrop with plenty of space to let loose and celebrate together. And it's just a short walk from the Marriott!

Map & directions

Registration

Reserve your seat.

Your Summit ticket gives you access to it all: welcome cocktails, swag, Summit panels, lunch, and a seat at The Stormies gala, where an award might even have your name on it. Register and pay securely through our event platform.

Early bird
$500USD
Through January 14, 2027
  • Full Summit access, May 12–14
  • Welcome party, breakfast & lunch
  • Stormies gala dinner & afterparty
  • Attendee app & printed badge
Register — early bird
Standard
$600USD
From January 15, 2027
  • Full Summit access, May 12–14
  • Welcome party, breakfast & lunch
  • Stormies gala dinner & afterparty
  • Attendee app & printed badge
Register — standard

Early-bird pricing is available through January 14, 2027; standard pricing applies from January 15. Registration is limited to 200 seats and is first come, first served.

Sponsors & partners

Put your name in front of the people who help make it all happen.

Two hundred decision-makers in business affairs, legal, production, talent, and music — in one room for two days. Sponsorships are limited and include Summit tickets, Stormies tables, and named moments across both venues.

Welcome cocktail party
Day 2 breakfast
Day 2 lunch
Coffee bar & sweets
Swag bag
Stormies cocktail hour
Photobooth
Afterparty with signature cocktail
Request the sponsor deck
Sponsor logos appear here as partners confirm

Good to know

Questions, answered.

Anything else? Write to hello@hailstormsummit.com.

Who is the Summit for?

Anyone who works in or alongside advertising business affairs: BA and marketing legal professionals, heads of production and producers, agents and managers, music and clearance companies, and content creators and their teams. Registration is open — no invitation required.

What's included in a ticket?

Both Summit days, the Wednesday welcome cocktail party, Thursday breakfast and lunch, and a seat at The Stormies gala dinner, awards show, and afterparty. Hotel and travel are booked separately. Summit attendees get a group rate of $239 a night at the Raleigh Marriott City Center until Wednesday, April 14, 2027 — book your room here.

How does registration work?

Registration, payment, and your attendee badge are handled through our event platform. Click any "Register" button to go there. You'll receive a confirmation email and access to the attendee app before the event.

Is there a dress code?

Summit days are business casual. The Stormies is cocktail attire — it's an awards night, so dress the part.

Can I attend The Stormies without the Summit?

Not for now. A Stormies seat is included with every Summit ticket, and the room is sized for Summit attendees and sponsors. If seats open up closer to the event, we'll announce it in the Summit updates.

What airport should I fly into?

Raleigh–Durham International (RDU), about 20 minutes from downtown — and, we'd argue, the cutest airport you'll ever pass through.

What's the weather like in Raleigh in May?

Typically high 70s during the day and 60s at night, but it can run hotter or chillier. Check the forecast the day before you head out.

Can I get a refund?

Yes — through March 31, 2027. Email hello@hailstormsummit.com and we'll refund your ticket in full. From April 1, 2027, tickets are non-refundable.

Stay in the loop

Keep up with the Summit.

Panelist announcements, program updates, sponsors, and Stormies nominations — a few emails between now and May, nothing more.

Get Summit updates