Some experiences stay with you long after they’re over.
Not because of how many people attended, how impressive the speaker lineup was, or how many sessions filled the agenda.
But because of the conversations that challenged your thinking. The people you met. The ideas you carried home. And the feeling of being surrounded by people who care just as deeply about the work you do.
For us, UXCON26 was one of those experiences.
On October 7 and 8, we brought together UX researchers, designers, industry leaders, and curious minds for two days of learning, connection, and conversations about the future of user experience.
From hands-on workshops to thought-provoking sessions, spontaneous conversations in the hallways, and moments of genuine connection, UXCON26 reminded us why we started building this community in the first place.
And now that we’ve had a moment to catch our breath, we’d love to take you back through some of our favorite moments.
Welcome to the UXCON26 recap. 💛
01. The room was full. So were our hearts.
There’s something special about watching an idea become a reality.
What began as conversations about creating a space where UX professionals could come together to learn, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships has grown into something we’re incredibly proud of.
Seeing the room filled with people from different backgrounds, experiences, and areas of expertise was a beautiful reminder of what happens when a community comes together.
There were familiar faces, first-time attendees, old friends reconnecting, and new connections being made.
And throughout the day, there was one thing we kept noticing: the conversations didn’t stop when the sessions ended.
They continued in the hallways, over coffee, during lunch, and everywhere people found an opportunity to connect.
That’s the kind of community we’re building.
02. Big ideas. Fresh perspectives. Conversations worth continuing.
One of the things we love most about UXCON is the opportunity to bring together people who see the world through different lenses.
This year, we had the privilege of welcoming an incredible lineup of speakers, including Don Norman, Amanda Gelb, and professionals representing organizations such as Amazon, Netflix, The New York Times, and Dovetail.
Across keynotes, presentations, and panel discussions, our speakers brought their experiences, perspectives, and questions to the stage.
And while the sessions may have ended, many of those conversations are just beginning.
A moment with Don Norman
For many people in the UX community, Don Norman needs no introduction.
His work has shaped how generations of designers and researchers think about human-centered design.
Having him join us at UXCON26 was a special moment, and an opportunity for our community to engage with someone whose contributions have influenced the field we work in today.
03. From conversations to practice: Inside the UXCON26 workshops
Before the main conference, we kicked things off on October 7 with our hands-on workshops.
And if there’s one thing we love, it’s creating opportunities for people to move beyond listening and actually put ideas into practice.
Our workshops provided a space for participants to engage directly with instructors, explore new approaches, ask questions, and learn alongside fellow professionals.
There was a different kind of energy in these rooms.
Laptops open. Ideas being exchanged. Questions being explored. People learning from one another.
These are the experiences that remind us that professional growth doesn’t happen in isolation.
Sometimes, it happens when you’re sitting beside someone who approaches the same problem differently.
04. The best moments weren’t always on stage.
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t always make it into conference agendas.
The people.
Because while we spend months planning speakers, sessions, and experiences, some of the most meaningful moments happen spontaneously.
A conversation with someone you’ve only known through LinkedIn.
Meeting a professional whose work you’ve admired.
Getting advice from someone who’s been where you are.
Finding someone who understands the challenges you’re navigating in your career.
Or simply being reminded that you’re part of a much bigger community.
From networking breaks to the happy hour, we loved watching these connections unfold.
And if you left UXCON26 with a new friend, collaborator, mentor, or even just an interesting conversation you haven’t stopped thinking about, we’d love to hear about it.
05. UXCON26, through your eyes.
We’ve spent the days following the conference seeing your photographs, reading your reflections, and coming across your LinkedIn posts.
And honestly? This has been one of our favorite parts of the entire experience.
There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing an event through the eyes of the people who experienced it.
The moments you captured. The conversations that resonated. The connections you made. The lessons you took away.
Each reflection tells a slightly different story of UXCON26.
And together, they tell a much bigger one.
You’ve given us the opportunity to experience UXCON26 all over again, this time through your eyes.
06. The people who made it possible.
An experience like UXCON26 doesn’t happen because of one person or one team.
It takes a community of people who believe in what you’re building and are willing to contribute their time, expertise, resources, and energy to help bring it to life.
And this year, we had some truly incredible people in our corner.
To our speakers: Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experiences, and perspectives so generously. For challenging our thinking, inspiring new conversations, and making space for meaningful learning.
To our volunteers: You were the heartbeat of this event. From the preparations leading up to the conference to everything that happened behind the scenes, your dedication, kindness, and willingness to step in wherever needed made an enormous difference.
To our sponsors and partners: Thank you for believing in the vision behind UXCON and helping make this experience possible. A special thank-you to our Gold Sponsor, Dovetail, for supporting UXCON26.
And to every attendee: Thank you for showing up. For participating, asking questions, sharing your perspectives, connecting with others, and contributing to the energy that made this experience so memorable.
You are the reason we do this.
07. One more time, for the memories. 📸
We know. We’ve been looking through the photographs and videos too.
And there are so many moments worth revisiting.
The excitement before the doors opened.
The first conversations of the morning.
The room coming alive during the sessions.
The laughter between conversations.
The photographs with speakers.
The connections that started with a simple hello.
We wanted to bring some of those memories together in one place.
UXCON26 in pictures
And this isn’t the last you’ll see of these moments!
We’ll continue sharing more photographs, videos, session highlights, and community stories through our newsletter and LinkedIn page.
So if you haven’t already, make sure you’re following along.
08. This is only the beginning.
As we look back on UXCON26, we’re reminded that building a strong UX community isn’t about what happens during two days of a conference.
It’s about what happens afterward.
The conversations that continue.
The ideas that turn into action.
The people who stay connected.
The knowledge that gets shared.
And the opportunities that grow out of being part of something bigger than ourselves.
That’s what we’re excited to keep building through UXU.
And whether you joined us in person, attended virtually, spoke on stage, volunteered, supported the event, or followed along from afar, we’re grateful you’re part of this journey.
Before we close, we’d love to ask you one thing.
Help us make the next UXCON even better.
If you attended UXCON26, we’d genuinely appreciate hearing about your experience.
What did you enjoy? What could we improve? What would you love to see next time?
We’ve put together a short, three-question survey, and your feedback will help shape the experiences we create going forward.
Until we meet again. 💛
Thank you for being part of UXCON26.
Thank you for the conversations, the enthusiasm, the encouragement, the laughter, and the memories.
And most importantly, thank you for reminding us what makes this community so special.
Here’s to everything we’ve learned, every connection we’ve made, and all the incredible things still ahead.
With gratitude,
The UXU Team
Building a community where UX professionals can learn, grow, and thrive.
