MCEI Seattle holds a dinner meeting each month with a distinguished marketing or communications presenter. Presenters bring a behind the scenes perspective and high-level industry marketing insights. Speakers share provocative stories, ideas, positions, and concepts, including controversial topics.

See below for our current upcoming program.

December 2025

WINTER BREAK - NO MEETING

We will meet again in the New Year. Happy Holidays!

January 2026

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026 - 5:30 P.M. - IVAR’S SALMON HOUSE

Join us for the kickoff program of the New Year when we hear the story of how McKinstry transformed its business by visioning, then building, a brand that has set the bar for those in the construction and development industries, and has become a model for old-line companies to emulate. David Allen, long-time SVP of Marketing for McKinstry and today the company’s Chief Storyteller (yes, that really is his title) will share how the brand story and execution he engineered have helped fuel the growth and success of this 65-year-old company.

During his more than 45-year tenure at McKinstry, David oversaw business strategy and development, community engagement and client services. Under David’s brand and marketing oversight the company grew from a small mechanical contractor with three Northwest offices into a North American leader in consulting, construction, energy and facility management with 22 nationwide offices, more than 3,000 employees and $1.5 billion in annual sales.

David Allen is a respected thought leader, well known for his presentations on branding, business development, workforce strategies and regional economic development. He is a popular keynote speaker for industry conferences and guest lecturer at local colleges. He serves on the boards of several industry associations, trade groups, community organizations and government-business alliances.

David grew up in, and resides in Bellevue with his wife Patricia, a well-known jazz performer.

February 2026

WEDNESDAY, february 11, 2026 - 5:30 P.M. - IVAR’S SALMON HOUSE

In February, MCEI Seattle will welcome author Andrew McMasters.

We are trained to craft messages - but the real impact comes when we stop talking and start listening. Based on insights from Listening Without Agenda, this energizing session explores how listening—without assumptions, interruptions, or pre-planned responses—builds trust, clarity, and stronger connections with teams, clients, and audiences.

Through improv-inspired techniques and simple interactive exercises, MCEI Seattle members will:

• Recognize common listening traps that can diminish authenticity.

• Discuss presence and use practical tools for collaboration.

• Learn tricks to apply immediately in messaging, leadership, and client engagement.

This session is designed for communication leaders who want to elevate their presence, strengthen relationships, and enhance response agility.

Andrew McMasters is an actor, director, author and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the arts. He is a founder of a non-profit theater that he managed for 25 years. He has worked for multiple Fortune 500 companies including Amazon, Microsoft, GE, Hasbro, Google, Valve, Nike and Apple. His company provides leadership development and presentation support as well as team building trainings all over the world.

Andrew is dedicated to experiential learning, providing opportunities for self-discovery and driving innovation in our everyday lives. His book “Listening without Agenda” is available online and in books stores everywhere.

March 2026

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026 - 5:30 P.M. - IVAR’S SALMON HOUSE

March’s meeting will feature John Rubino, partner at GreenRubino.

John Rubino has spent the last twenty years as owner of GreenRubino, a Seattle-based creative and media agency. John will share his stories about building successful ownership transition plans and how GreenRubino has thrived during multiple transitions over the past 48 years the agency has been in business. He will also share some of the other highlights of his career and we expect to have a lively Q&A on best practices of owning, working for, and working with successful and dynamic agencies.

John Rubino is a strategic, innovative marketing and business professional with more than 30 years of preeminent client marketing and advertising experience. John established his marketing career during more than ten years with Landor, a global brand consultancy, where he led the relationship with Microsoft and created an efficient, process-driven model that became the benchmark for the way in which strategic brand firms do business.

His 20+ years as the owner of GreenRubino, a Seattle-based creative and media agency—and an NGLCC-certified LGBT Business Enterprise, have only solidified his reputation for success. John’s current and past community involvement, awards, and recognition includes GSBA Business Leader of the Year and a PBSJ Outstanding Voices Lifetime Achievement Award. John and his husband, Doug, established one of the first LGBTQ+ scholarships at the University of Notre Dame. Prior to entering the marketing/advertising industry, John worked for a number of Wall Street firms, including Lehman Brothers. He’s a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting. Go Irish!

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Spring Break - No Meeting in April 2026

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