AU 2026: Come for the sessions. Stay for the community.
Every year at AU 2026, thousands of people come to learn something new, but they leave with much more than session notes. They leave with new ideas and new connections that continue long after the conference ends. Whether you’re attending your first AU, or reconnecting with colleagues you’ve known for years, this is where you find your community. From spontaneous hallway catchups and peer-led discussions to interactive networking experiences, there are more ways than ever to meet people who understand your challenges, share your interests, and inspire you to make the experience unforgettable.
Find your people
The Design & Make community spans industries, disciplines, and every stage of the professional journey. No matter what brings you to AU, chances are you’ll find someone else asking the same questions, solving similar problems, or exploring the same technologies to improve their business.
Meetups make those connections easy. These casual gatherings are organized around industries, emerging technologies, and shared interests, creating space for conversations that happen naturally.
Shape the conversations at AU 2026
Some of the most valuable learning at AU happens when attendees drive the discussion.
Braindate returns to AU 2026 as a way for attendees to create or join small group moments centered on thought leadership around the topics they care about most. It’s where a quick question can become a big idea or a great collaboration. Share your expertise, solve real-world challenges together, and meet peers who are just as passionate about Design & Make as you are.
No presentations. No panels. Just meaningful conversations driven by the community.
Turn insights into action
Some of the most meaningful conversations happen between the sessions.
New this year, The Exchange is a dedicated gathering space designed exactly for those moments. Settle into a comfortable, welcoming space to recharge, catch up with colleagues, meet new peers, or explore the topics and insights that sparked your curiosity throughout the week.
It’s the perfect place to transform a quick introduction into a lasting professional relationship, and where ideas have room to grow.
Connect by doing. Join the club!
Networking doesn’t mean just exchanging business cards. What if it felt less like making small talk and more like solving problems together?
Also making its debut at AU 2026, the AU Clubhouse offers an immersive environment where attendees can meet and interact through challenges, fun activities, and team trivia in ways that build engagement naturally.
Because the best connections often happen when you are building something together.
More than a conference
The sessions at AU will inspire you and challenge you to think differently. But it’s the people you’ll meet that often have the biggest impact. Whether you’re exchanging ideas during a Meetup, diving into a Braindate conversation, continuing discussion in The Exchange, or tackling a fun challenge in the AU Clubhouse, every interaction is an opportunity to expand your perspective and strengthen your professional network.
Register by August 3 to lock in early bird pricing and join us in Las Vegas. We can’t wait to welcome you to the community.
