Earlier this October, AMSG sent a team to the Adobe Max creativity conference in Miami Beach — a three-day whirlwind of inspiration, networking, and hands-on workshops. As one of those attendees, I had the unique privilege of diving into Adobe’s latest tools and innovations while connecting with creatives from around the world.
It all began with an email chain. Chrissie, my AMSGazette liaison, requested a group photo of the AMSG team members attending Adobe Max, sparking new friendships and connections that would add another layer of depth to the conference experience.
Meeting the AMSG Team
On the first morning, I met up with Sam and Dabnell, two of my U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) teammates. We braved the Florida heat over breakfast, laughing as we attempted to stay cool and prepare for the day. Soon after, I connected with Alana, who quickly became my “Max bestie.” Together, we started a group chat to rally our team of nine AMSG attendees. Each person brought their own unique personality and energy, making for a truly memorable gathering.
Getting to know AMSGers from various contracts was eye-opening. Our team was composed of colleagues from different departments and contracts, each representing a distinct area of AMSG’s reach. Alana, Jeff, Christian, and Blair were with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Communication and Outreach Division (COD), while Stan and Mark worked with Defense Health Agency (DHA) Recovery Coordination Program (RCP), and Sam, Dab, and I represented the TRADOC contract. It was fascinating to hear about their roles and projects, seeing how each of us contributes to AMSG’s diverse portfolio.
Each team member brought something special. Alana was radiant, instantly making everyone feel like old friends. Stan and Jeff, the T-Pain concert hype men for Blair, Alana, Christian, and I, brought their energy! In the Creative Park, Stan won a raffle prize — a keyboard and mouse set — while Christian, Blair, and Jeff shared fresh ideas they planned to implement back at their own offices. Marq exuded a kind yet commanding presence, offering insight and warmth to every conversation. Sam, Dab, and I, the TRADOC trio, shared laughs and stories, keeping things light and positive. I could go on and on about every AMSGer who attended. It was truly a cross-section of people of all ages, roles, and career paths united by creativity and a sense of community.
We tried our best to get a complete group photo, but schedules and interests kept us scattered. In one shot, we missed Sam, who was off exploring the Photoshop booth. In another, we were short Stan, busy celebrating his raffle win.
I think the best part of attending a conference like this is the connection we built. While looking up everyone’s organization names in Outlook (I didn’t forget them — I just wanted to double-check!), I stumbled across old emails from my fellow attendees. At that time, I didn’t know Alana, Stan, or Marq personally, but during the TRADOC contract’s break in service this past January, all of them sent heartfelt messages, offering prayers and well wishes to all of us on the TRADOC team who were temporarily laid off before we got the contract back. (Not sure how to word this or if I should even include it but I think it’s sweet and cool)
AMSG is more than just a workplace — it’s a team, a community, and in many ways, it feels like a family. We’re all working hard to support a shared mission. I hope to bring the same sense of connection and care to our team that they do every day.
Inspiration and Impact
The highlight of the conference for me was the keynote with Emonee LaRussa, who reminded us of the value of prioritizing our personal needs alongside our work. Her words struck a chord with everyone in the room, and it was the perfect way to enhance a conference dedicated to creativity.
Attending Adobe Max brought valuable takeaways for my work at AMSG. Adobe’s recent AI development, Firefly — the first AI available for commercial use — was especially intriguing. Additionally, I explored new collaborative tools like Frame.io, which has already improved my workflow by enabling project sharing and efficient file organization within Adobe Premiere Pro. I left the conference ready to incorporate these tools into our training courses, enhancing quality and streamlining processes for our multimedia team.
New Tools and Techniques
One of the most exciting skills I explored was in motion design. Learning to take layered Photoshop and Illustrator files and bring them to life in Adobe After Effects opened up new possibilities for animation. I’m eager to bring these new skills to AMSG and elevate our visual content with more dynamic motion graphics. Adobe Max offered countless moments where we could dive into Adobe’s tools in-depth — labs and workshops that pushed us to experiment, troubleshoot, and learn through real-time practice.
Learning and Collaboration
Adobe Max’s emphasis on collaboration and sharing creative tools wasn’t limited to the conference. Since returning, I’ve been watching recordings of the sessions, absorbing every insight and skill, from Text-Based Editing to file organization tips that make a tangible difference in daily workflows. Even though my direct team wasn’t there, I feel like I’ve brought back a toolkit that will benefit our entire department.
An unexpected, yet deeply meaningful, aspect of attending was realizing that everyone there was seeking the same thing — to connect and create. Sitting on the floor to draw chalk portraits with strangers or designing prints for tote bags alongside other creatives, I felt like I had found my “people.” The best part? Each attendee’s unique personality remained intact while contributing to the larger creative atmosphere — a rare feeling of belonging that didn’t require sacrificing individuality.
Personal Insights and Takeaways
The energy at Adobe Max was nothing short of exhilarating. The event had this grand, almost cinematic feel, amplified by the sheer scale of sessions, workshops, and thousands of like-minded individuals gathered in one place. I’d describe the whole experience as “grand” — big, bold, and unforgettable.
Reflecting on our company’s 6 Cs (Commitment, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Competence, and Community), I couldn’t help but notice the 6 Es that this experience brought to life for each of us at Adobe Max: Eager, Elevated, Enriched, Educated, Elevated, and a little bit Exhausted. A fitting extension of the values AMSG fosters every day.
Moving Forward with AMSG
One of my favorite ideas from the conference was Adobe’s use of “Sneaks” — sneak peeks into potential future features. The features previewed three years ago are now part of Adobe’s current updates, which reminds us that innovation is always on the horizon. The footage I captured at the event will be turned into a recap video for AMSG, showcasing our time at Adobe Max and the creative inspiration we’re bringing back.
From file organization and collaborative tools to refined techniques and personal growth, Adobe Max 2024 was a transformative experience. And as I bring these insights and skills back to AMSG, I feel ready to create, innovate, and elevate our team’s work in ways I hadn’t imagined before.
Written by: Karin Kleps