The Best Conferences for Creatives in the USA

For designers, artists, and creative professionals, conferences are more than just events—they're sources of inspiration, learning, and networking. Across the USA, top conferences bring together visionaries in design, branding, marketing, animation, and more, offering hands-on workshops, insightful talks, and a chance to connect with like-minded creatives.

Whether you're looking to explore emerging trends, refine your craft, or spark new collaborations, these conferences provide the perfect setting. Here’s a look at some of the best creative conferences happening this year in the US.

SXSW Conference

Where:
Austin, TX, USA
When:
12-18 Mar 2026

Every year South by Southwest (SXSW) brings together music, film, technology, and culture in a globally recognized festival. Featuring keynote speakers, interactive panels, live music showcases, film screenings, and networking events, SXSW is a must-attend event for creatives and industry leaders alike. With an ever-evolving lineup of artists, filmmakers, and innovators, SXSW continues to shape conversations around the future of entertainment and technology.

Adobe MAX

Where:
Miami, FL, USA
When:
11-12 Oct 2026

Adobe MAX is the ultimate creativity conference for graphic designers, illustrators, and digital creators, featuring keynote talks, hands-on workshops, and previews of upcoming Adobe tools. It’s also a great chance to meet fellow creatives, get inspired, and explore the latest trends shaping the design world.

AIGA Design Conference

Where:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
When:
date 2026 tba

AIGA Design Conference is the flagship gathering of AIGA, bringing together graphic designers, visual communicators, and creative professionals from around the world. It features inspiring talks, workshops, and community events that explore how design shapes culture, drives innovation, and creates real impact.

Typographics

Where:
New York, NY, USA
When:
26-27 Jun 2026

Typographics 2026 is a design festival in New York City dedicated to typography, type design, and visual communication. The program includes talks, workshops, exhibitions, and community events that bring together designers, typographers, and type enthusiasts to explore the culture and craft of type.

Creative South

Where:
Columbus, GA, USA
When:
9-11 Apr 2026

Creative South is a community-driven design and creativity festival featuring inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, portfolio reviews, and a vibrant vendor scene. Come for the speakers and events, stay for the friendly vibe of creatives connecting and collaborating.

Creative Pro Week

Where:
Phoenix, AZ, USA
When:
29 Jun–3 Jul 2026

CreativePro Week is the essential how-to conference for creative pros, featuring in-depth training on Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Expect 35+ expert speakers and 70+ sessions focused on real-world techniques to boost your workflow and productivity.

Brand New Conference

Where:
Nashville, TN, USA
When:
17-18 Sep 2026

Brand New Conference is a two-day event focused on corporate and brand identity, featuring talks and insights from leading practitioners worldwide.

TypeCon

Where:
Chicago, IL, USA
When:
6-8 Aug 2026

TypeCon is a key conference for typographers, type designers, and graphic designers who are passionate about the craft of typography.

Organized by the Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA), it features talks, workshops, and panels that explore new trends, showcase expert insights, and bring together a global community of type enthusiasts.

Flux Festival

Where:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
When:
date 2026 tba

Flux Festival in Los Angeles brings together film, art, and emerging technology through curated screenings, immersive installations, and creative workshops.

Circles Conference

Where:
Gravepine, TX, USA
When:
28 Sep-2 Oct 2026

Circles Conference brings together designers, filmmakers, and storytellers for inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and meaningful networking that spark creative collaboration.

Dash Bash

Where:
Raleigh, NC, USA
When:
date 2026 tba

Dash Bash is a motion design festival featuring inspiring talks, creative hangouts, workshops, and parties. It brings together designers, animators, and creatives to celebrate the art of motion.

Config: Figma’s Annual Conference‍

Where:
San Francisco, CA, USA
When:
23–25 Jun 2026

Config is Figma’s conference for people who build products, featuring 75+ speakers, 50+ sessions, and 8k+ attendees. Expect inspiring keynotes, hands-on demos, deep-dive sessions, and early access to Figma’s newest products and features.

International Design Conference

Where:
Passadena, CA, USA
When:
date 2026 tba

International Design Conference examines the past, present, and future of industrial design through keynotes, talks, and an Open Design Day. Sessions address technology, AI, ethics, and contemporary challenges in the field.

Creative Works WEST

Where:
Seattle, WA, USA
When:
date 2026 tba

ATypI Stanford

Where:
Stanford, CA, USA
When:
27-30 May 2026

ATypI 2026 Stanford gathers the global type community for a program spanning typography’s design, technology, and research. It honors a seminal digital type legacy while advancing inclusive, multilingual, cross‑platform innovation.

F5 Empath

Where:
New York, NY, USA
When:
date 2026 tba

F5 EMPATH is a creative festival celebrating the intersection of design, arts, media, entertainment, and technology, igniting unexpected inspiration. It unites visionary creators and innovators for an immersive, multi-sensory experience that pushes creative boundaries.

​CultureCon

Where:
New York, NY, USA
When:
date 2026 tba

CultureCon is a leading creative conference celebrating Black culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship. It brings together creatives, founders, and industry leaders for inspiring talks, practical workshops, and meaningful networking, with a strong focus on career growth, ownership, and cultural impact.

Creative Week

Where:
New York, USA
When:
date 2026 tba

Creative Week, organized by The One Club for Creativity, is a week-long creative festival celebrating the global creative community through speaker sessions, workshops, award shows and industry events that bring together leading voices in advertising and design.

ConveyUX

Where:
Seattle, WA, USA
When:
13 Apr 2026

ConveyUX is a leadership summit for senior UX professionals with a day of talks and networking. Sessions focus on strategy and innovation in digital product UX.

Creative Lunch Club

Where:
in over 100 cities
When:
every month

Creative Lunch Club is not a conference, but a great way to meet and connect with other creatives besides big event. It brings creatives together for small-group lunches to connect and exchange ideas.

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Here are some matching articles:

Creative Lunch Club has been an inspiring way to connect with fellow designers, virtually and in-person. I love sharing exciting events with others—like AIGA DC’s Design Week—and hearing firsthand what people want more of in our creative community. It’s a great space for conversation, collaboration, and discovering new perspectives.

Natalia Celine Arias
Multidisciplinary Creative, Washington DC

I've met so many wonderful people this year trough Creative Lunch Club. It's been a great way to meet people in different industries and has been way more personal and fun than networking events.

Erin Prysiazny
Motion Designer, Toronto

Thanks for running such a great community! I'm so glad I took a chance and tried this for the first time, and I can't wait for the next month to roll around. Excited to see this network grow!

Ruth Lee 
UX & Visual Designer, Los Angeles