ICOM
World Meeting

Creative Council Group Agenda

12–14 May 2026  ·  Porto, Portugal

ICOM Creative Council is a collective of creative leaders united to support, educate and inspire one another. We believe creative thinking is the driving force behind the most meaningful impact for brands and businesses.

Our mission is to encourage each other to grow, evolve, and achieve the highest levels of creative excellence — and have fun in the process.

Creativity Matters.

ICOM network
Fernando Machado
Fernando Machado
Masterclass Mentor

Fernando
Machado

Two-Day Masterclass

Fernando Machado is leading a two-day masterclass focused on the fundamentals that drive truly impactful creative work — from positioning to craft, and from understanding what wins to how ideas are judged.

The goal is simple: to strengthen the foundations. This program is designed to equip creatives with the tools needed to raise the level of the work.

Creative Criteria Brand Positioning Brief Writing Bold Ideas Craft & Execution Judging Ideas Partnership with Client
Day One
Optional

Tuesday
12 May

Porto City Centre
Porto streets
9:15 AM
Optional
Meet at Eurostars Aliados Hotel
Your tour guides will be waiting here to lead you on the walking tour.
9:30 AM
Guided Walking Tour of Porto
Explore Porto's vibrant streets — Rua de Santa Catarina, Batalha Square, the medieval Fernandina Wall, and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. Pause at Jardim do Morro for views over the Douro. Includes audio devices. Approx. 3 km / 1.9 miles, including lunch.
Spouses & companions welcome · Invoiced after meeting (~€80) · Comfortable walking shoes recommended
12:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch at Escondidinho Restaurant
2:00 PM
Free Time or One-to-One Meetings
7:30 PM
Reception
Welcome Reception
Spouses and companions included.
Day Two

Wednesday
13 May

WOW Porto · Vila Nova de Gaia
WOW Porto
8:45 AM
Meet in Front of the Eurostars Aliados Hotel
The bus will depart promptly at 8:50 AM to WOW Porto.
9:30 AM
Masterclass
Fernando Machado — Session 1
Introduction and getting to know each other. Creativity as the main driver of business.
10:45 AM
Masterclass
Fernando Machado — Session 2
Brand Positioning · The Brief (deep dive)
12:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch at WOW Gallery
1:15 PM
Masterclass
Fernando Machado — Session 3
Creative Criteria · Execution and Craft
3:00 PM
Guest Speaker
Frankey — Breaking the Pattern
How Street Art Rewires the Way We Think. Through playful interventions in public spaces, Frankey creates moments that force a pause, a smile, and a complete rethink.
4:00 PM
Bus Return to Hotel · Free Time
7:20 PM
Meet in Front of the Eurostars Aliados Hotel
Depart at 7:30 PM for the restaurant by bus.
8:00 PM
Dinner
Dinner at Vinum Restaurant & Winebar
Spouses and companions included.
Day Three

Thursday
14 May

Torre Bella · Vila Nova de Gaia
Porto Douro River
8:15 AM
Meet at the Eurostars Aliados Hotel
The bus will depart promptly at 8:20 AM to Torre Bella.
9:15 AM
Key Takeaways from Day 1
Group reflection and highlights from Wednesday's sessions.
9:45 AM
Guest Speaker
Rob Scherzer — Automated Thinking
How Agencies Can Build Systems That Work for Them. Rob will work through three real participant-submitted client challenges live in the room using AI to demonstrate practical solutions.
11:00 AM
Masterclass
Fernando Machado — Cannes & Festival Trends
12:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch at Main Hall
1:30 PM
Fireside Chat
Fernando Machado — Fireside Chat
Consumers aren't just using AI — they're being shaped by it. Fernando Machado, having sat on both sides of the client-agency conversation, shares what he's hearing from clients right now and where he thinks this is all heading.
Interviewer: Amanda Forgione, CEO, Morrison, Atlanta, USA
2:30 PM
Masterclass
Fernando Machado — Judging Ideas
Practical application, case discussions, and examples.
3:45 PM
Masterclass
Fernando Machado — Final Session
Summing up and final discussions.
5:00 PM
Douro River Cruise
One-hour cruise along the Douro through Porto's historic district and beneath its iconic bridges. Red, white and sparkling wine served on board. Spouses and companions included. Disembark at Ribeira Pier at 6:00 PM.
8:00 PM
Meet in Front of the Eurostars Aliados Hotel
Depart at 8:10 PM for the restaurant, 15 minutes on foot from the hotel.
8:30 PM
Dinner
Dinner at Chez Lapin
Spouses and companions included.