2026 Brainstorming Post!
May. 29th, 2026 12:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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confabconHello everyone, your Programming Team here with some announcements!
Programming submission time is almost here! Submissions will open on Wednesday July 1, 2026 and close on Sunday, July 26, 2026. We are accepting submissions for any of our three types of programming: panels, group discussions, and workshops, all of which will be hosted in two tracks on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the convention. Sessions are held in 50-minute blocks with a 10-minute break in between. After the submission period ends, attendees will be able to vote on what programming they want to see.
To get you started, here's a handy guide to the types of programming we have (note: both panels and group discussions can include single fandom topics or more general/multi-fandom topics):
Panels: Presentation by 1-4 panelists, including a moderator to guide the panelists, ensure the panel runs on time, and lead the audience Q&A (this can be the same as the presenter if only one person wants to run the panel). Choose this format if you'd like to have a more structured presentation with specific times for taking audience questions. Previous panels have included problematic faves, the OTW, sex writing, D&D, and video game adaptations.
Group Discussions: Roundtable conversation led by 1-2 facilitators. More loosely formatted than a panel. Choose this format if you don't want to do a formal presentation, and instead want the entire program to be a conversation between the facilitator(s) and attendees. Previous group discussions have included hyping small fandoms, fictional detectives, fidget toys, Interview With the Vampire, Greek mythology, and incest.
Workshops: A hands-on experience! If you want to teach attendees a skill or game, this is the format you want! If you think you'll need more than fifty minutes for your workshop, you may request a second time slot, either as one double-sized workshop or two separate sessions. Previous workshops have included crafting together, plushie making, embroidery tutorials, kandi bracelet making, upcycling clothing, and improv.
We look forward to hearing your amazing ideas for programming! We will be accepting submissions for all types of programming from everyone, whether or not you have already registered for the con. This is your chance to get the programming you want by submitting your ideas. What are you excited about? Share it with the group!
Comment on this post with your programming ideas and questions. Find friends and strangers to help you flesh out your ideas, or offer assistance in planning your presentation, and get ready to submit your proposals starting on July 1! A new post will go up here with submission instructions and a link to the submission form on Wednesday, July 1.
The comments on this post will be open throughout the submission period, so feel free to use it as a resource and a sounding board for new ideas that you want a second opinion on before submitting. We can't wait to see what you come up with.
Did you know there’s a dedicated channel in our Discord for brainstorming? You can drop ideas there at any time, but we’ll also be hosting live brainstorming sessions throughout the month of June if people would prefer to talk their ideas out. The events will be on our Discord calendar.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment on this post, or email the Programming team at programming@confabcon.com. We're happy to be a sounding board!
Programming submission time is almost here! Submissions will open on Wednesday July 1, 2026 and close on Sunday, July 26, 2026. We are accepting submissions for any of our three types of programming: panels, group discussions, and workshops, all of which will be hosted in two tracks on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the convention. Sessions are held in 50-minute blocks with a 10-minute break in between. After the submission period ends, attendees will be able to vote on what programming they want to see.
To get you started, here's a handy guide to the types of programming we have (note: both panels and group discussions can include single fandom topics or more general/multi-fandom topics):
Panels: Presentation by 1-4 panelists, including a moderator to guide the panelists, ensure the panel runs on time, and lead the audience Q&A (this can be the same as the presenter if only one person wants to run the panel). Choose this format if you'd like to have a more structured presentation with specific times for taking audience questions. Previous panels have included problematic faves, the OTW, sex writing, D&D, and video game adaptations.
Group Discussions: Roundtable conversation led by 1-2 facilitators. More loosely formatted than a panel. Choose this format if you don't want to do a formal presentation, and instead want the entire program to be a conversation between the facilitator(s) and attendees. Previous group discussions have included hyping small fandoms, fictional detectives, fidget toys, Interview With the Vampire, Greek mythology, and incest.
Workshops: A hands-on experience! If you want to teach attendees a skill or game, this is the format you want! If you think you'll need more than fifty minutes for your workshop, you may request a second time slot, either as one double-sized workshop or two separate sessions. Previous workshops have included crafting together, plushie making, embroidery tutorials, kandi bracelet making, upcycling clothing, and improv.
We look forward to hearing your amazing ideas for programming! We will be accepting submissions for all types of programming from everyone, whether or not you have already registered for the con. This is your chance to get the programming you want by submitting your ideas. What are you excited about? Share it with the group!
Comment on this post with your programming ideas and questions. Find friends and strangers to help you flesh out your ideas, or offer assistance in planning your presentation, and get ready to submit your proposals starting on July 1! A new post will go up here with submission instructions and a link to the submission form on Wednesday, July 1.
The comments on this post will be open throughout the submission period, so feel free to use it as a resource and a sounding board for new ideas that you want a second opinion on before submitting. We can't wait to see what you come up with.
Did you know there’s a dedicated channel in our Discord for brainstorming? You can drop ideas there at any time, but we’ll also be hosting live brainstorming sessions throughout the month of June if people would prefer to talk their ideas out. The events will be on our Discord calendar.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment on this post, or email the Programming team at programming@confabcon.com. We're happy to be a sounding board!
