Cannes, Tech Retreat and Summit: Oh My!

For the first time, the DAAC had a presence in Cannes as part of the festivities surrounding Cannes Lions in the south of France. The event had an invigorating energy. Many people we spoke with were also attending for the first time, and digital advertising was front and center.

On Wednesday, June 24, we hosted our event in the garden of the beautiful Croisette Beach Hotel Cannes.

A snapshot of our Cannes event on June 24, 2026.

We divided our one-hour session into two dynamic panel discussions. The first, moderated by the DAAC’s Julie Ford, explored what it is like to operate as a brand across multiple jurisdictions and how self-regulatory programs such as AdChoices can support a company’s broader privacy program.

This was followed by a panel offering practical guidance on navigating global privacy changes, understanding what those changes mean for business growth, and preparing for what comes next.

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us despite the heatwave. View additional photos here.

Throughout the week in Cannes, the DAA network of organizations attended meetings both large and small. The activations, the swag, and dare we say it, the celebratory energy from the early days of digital were all around us.

After years of attending legal and privacy events where new constraints and responsibilities often dominated the conversation, it was refreshing to see so much positivity about our industry. It was a welcome reminder that this remains an exciting and innovative sector, even as it adapts to changing expectations.

Much of what we heard was shared in confidence, but one thing we can say is that almost everything seemed to start with the letter A. These are challenging but exciting times for everyone working in this sector.

Cannes was quickly followed by the DAA Network Tech Retreat in Montreal about 10 days later. This annual internal event provides the DAA network with a technical roadmap for the next 12 months. The two-day retreat was a resounding success, producing more than 20 takeaways mapped across the coming quarters. Expect to hear more from us as this work rolls out.

As we enter the summer months, our minds are full of follow-ups, new ideas and next steps. To connect with us, please reach out. We would love to hear what you have been working on lately.

Finally, do not forget to register for the DAAC Summit on Friday, September 25. We hope to see many familiar faces and welcome some new ones, too.