A Seat at the Table: Highlights From Our Toronto Agency Leaders Private Dinner
There is something powerful about gathering around a table. Last week in Toronto, while in town for the Ad Age Small Agency Conference & Awards, we had the joy of hosting an intimate dinner at Yan Dining Room, one of the hottest reservations in the city right now, for a group of founders and C‑suite leaders who are shaping the future of creative and marketing agencies.
The evening was filled with incredible food, perfectly paired cocktails, and even better conversation. Yan Dining Room, a neo‑Chinese pop‑up inside a three‑generation family‑run restaurant, wowed us with dishes like truffle‑fried rice alongside dry‑aged duck with summer nectarine sauce, showcasing the kind of peak creativity that is defining Toronto’s vibrant food scene right now.
As we looked around the table, it struck us how much we all share, even while running very different businesses. So many agency owners and operators are navigating the same challenges: winning and retaining the right clients, carving out brand visibility in crowded markets, integrating new technologies like AI, and building teams with the capacity to grow.
It was inspiring to hear questions sparked by peers:
What does the next generation of creative agencies look like?
How do we show value in a world obsessed with speed and AI?
What is the biggest opportunity each of us sees on the horizon?
Moments like these remind us why we gather. It is not just about a meal, it is about creating space for connection, reflection, and shared ambition.
Toronto was the latest in a series of founder and C-suite dinners we’ve hosted to spark honest conversation, shared learning, and connection across the creative and marketing landscape. If you're building something bold and want a seat at the table, we’d love to have you.
(Enjoy the photo album from the evening below!)
