Vaulted Revives Raleigh-Durham HUG with AEO Virtual Event

Vaulted Revives Raleigh-Durham HUG with AEO Virtual Event
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Vaulted, a Raleigh-based marketing, design, and development agency, hosted the first Raleigh-Durham HubSpot User Group (RDU HUG) event in seven years on June 25 at 3 p.m., drawing nearly 50 registrants from across the Triangle. The virtual session, “Answer Engine Optimization: Search Changed. Did You?,” covered how AI-powered search engines select which brands to surface—and what marketers can do about it.

HubSpot User Groups are peer-led communities organized by HubSpot-approved leaders worldwide, connecting local users through shared learning and practical skill development. The RDU HUG chapter had been inactive since 2019, leaving Triangle HubSpot users without a local peer community. Vaulted was named RDU HUG leader in April 2026, with co-founders Matthew Deal and Emily Davidson tasked with rebuilding that programming.

The session walked through the mechanics behind AI answer engines — how ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews source information — and the practical steps brands can take to appear in those results. Among the data points discussed: 68% of Google searches now end without a click (SparkToro, 2024); 94% of B2B buyers use AI during the research process (6sense, 2025); and adding original statistics boosts citation likelihood by 41%, quoting named experts by 28%, and citing sources by 115% (Princeton/Georgia Tech GEO Study, ACM KDD 2024).

“It’s an exciting start — the turnout tells us there’s real pent-up demand for a HubSpot community in the Triangle,” said Matthew Deal, co-founder and CMO of Vaulted. “Search has changed more in the last 18 months than the previous decade, and the marketers who figure out how AI engines pick winners right now are going to be the ones their buyers find.”

The next RDU HUG event is planned for July 2026 as an in-person session. Programming will run quarterly, covering HubSpot platform updates, marketing and sales techniques, and actionable strategies.

HubSpot users can join the Raleigh-Durham HUG at:
events.hubspot.com/networks/events/271019 and follow the group on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/groups/8214773 for community updates.

About Vaulted

Vaulted is a marketing, design, and development agency that helps companies turn complex marketing systems into clear, measurable growth. Their team partners with organizations to clarify messaging, improve website performance, and build marketing infrastructure that is easier to manage and scale. For more information, visit vaulted.co.

Media Contact

Matthew Deal, Co-founder and CMO

(910) 460-3599

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Vaulted Named Raleigh-Durham HubSpot User Group Leader

HubSpot Partner

Vaulted Named Raleigh-Durham HubSpot User Group Leader

Raleigh-based marketing agency to lead quarterly HubSpot community events and programming across the region RALEIGH, N.C., April 30, 2026 - Vaulted, a Raleigh-based marketing, design, and development agency, has been officially approved by HubSpot as the leader of the Raleigh-Durham HubSpot User Group (HUG). The designation positions co-founders Matthew Deal and Emily Davidson to organize and lead community programming for HubSpot users across the region, beginning with a series of quarterly events focused on platform updates, marketing strategies, and sales techniques. HubSpot User Groups are peer-led communities organized by HubSpot-approved leaders in cities across the globe, designed to connect local users through shared learning, networking, and practical skill development. Each chapter operates as a dedicated forum where marketers, sales professionals, and operations teams can exchange real-world insights on the platform. Vaulted's inaugural programming will center on quarterly events covering new HubSpot platform updates, shared marketing and sales techniques, and actionable strategies attendees can apply directly to their organizations. The format is designed to combine structured learning with open peer discussion, giving Triangle-area professionals a recurring touchpoint for staying current on the platform. Additional event details, including dates and registration information, will be announced at vaulted.co. "Being named the Raleigh-Durham HUG leader is an exciting opportunity to help foster a real sense of community among HubSpot users in our region," said Matthew Deal, co-founder and CMO of Vaulted. "We want people to feel that in-the-trenches camaraderie that drives real growth, and we're committed to bringing compelling programming and events that make this community worth showing up for.

Matthew Deal Matthew Deal