Esomar sets North America 2026 program for Atlanta conference

Esomar has released the program for its North America 2026 conference, Unfiltered, set for Nov. 3-4 at the Courtland Grand Hotel in Atlanta. The event will focus on practical research, AI, trust and decision-making, with speakers from Nike, Kimberly-Clark, Chick-fil-A and Columbia Business School.

Why it matters: - The conference is aimed at helping research and insights teams separate useful methods from hype. - The agenda centers on how organizations can make better business decisions as AI, data quality concerns and trust issues reshape the field. - Client-side leaders and industry experts will get a forum to compare what works in practice across brands, agencies and technology providers.

What happened: - Esomar announced the program for Esomar North America 2026, titled “Unfiltered.” - The conference will take place Nov. 3-4 at the Courtland Grand Hotel in Atlanta. - The two-day event will bring together client-side leaders, researchers and industry experts. - Registration is now open, and the full program and registration information is available online.

The details: - The program will feature speakers from Nike, Kimberly-Clark, Chick-fil-A, Columbia Business School and other organizations. - The agenda is built around the theme “Unfiltered: Cut Through the Noise.” - Sessions will focus on the work behind successful business decisions. - Topics include what holds up in practice, where AI adds value, how organizations are strengthening trust in research and what insight teams learn from successes and failures. - Esomar said the program is organized around five themes: truth and trust, decisions that moved the business, human vs. machine, the reality check and bold thinking. - Sessions will examine the evolving role of AI in research, data quality, decision-making, organizational readiness, research design, cultural understanding and the future role of insights across the enterprise. - The event will include networking breaks, receptions and informal discussions with peers across the insights ecosystem. - Leading sponsors include BOLT Insight, POGO, Inc., Nailbiter, The Logit Group and DialogueAI. - Limited exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Between the lines: - Esomar is positioning the conference around practical evidence, not theory. - The focus on “what does not work” signals a willingness to surface failures as well as success stories. - The heavy emphasis on AI suggests the industry is still sorting out where automation helps and where human judgment remains essential. - The mix of brands, academics and vendors points to a broader push to connect research output more directly to business outcomes.

What's next: - Esomar will host the conference in Atlanta in early November. - Attendees can use the published program to plan sessions and network with peers ahead of the event. - Remaining exhibit and sponsorship slots may fill before the conference date.

The bottom line: - Esomar is framing North America 2026 as a practical, no-spin conference on research, AI and decision-making.