2026 PHXDW Conference: Orbit

Join us in October for the two-day PHXDW Conference presented by AIGA Arizona at Phoenix Design Week 2026!
About this Event

Phoenix Design Week is a week-long celebration of design organized by AIGA Arizona to unite our state's design community and provide a forum for sharing best practices, showcasing exceptional work and gaining inspiration.

The PHXDW Conference is the main event during Phoenix Design Week — a two-day industry conference for graphic designers, UI/UX designers, content managers, illustrators, writers, marketing professionals and people who work with them. For 2026, we're celebrating this 18th annual PHXDW at Phoenix Convention Center for two full days of creative jumpstarts, workshops and friendship. With a theme of "Orbit" we invite designers, thinkers, and collaborators to enter one another's circles and celebrate the relationships, conversations, intersections, and creative forces that surround the work and give it meaning. Each of us follows our own path, yet together we create a larger field of connection, energy, and possibility. Together, we create gravity by design.

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Two full days of inspirational main stage keynotes and hands-on breakouts.

Last year, you told us that you preferred a Friday and Saturday schedule so we're bringing it back for 2026: the two-day conference will be held on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. We're still developing the actual lineup for each day, but we can tell you who we've got signed on already for the main stage:

& – the team from BlinkUX behind the reimagined NASA.gov

- entertainment attorney and partner at Counsel for Creators will talk about copyright protections in the age of AI

- designer, illustrator, and teacher and the creator of SUNday SUNS that you've probably been following for years (that's how long we've been trying to coordinate schedules to get him to Phoenix)

- principal and thingmaker at Invisible Creature, formerly from Seattle and now based in Phoenix

- filmaker, writer, director at Righteous Robot will join us for a virtual session from Los Angeles

Stay tuned for more to come! Updates will be coming at you on social media (follow #phxdw), and directly in email, so be sure you're on the mailing list to get the latest! Continuing conference announcements for attendees will be sent via Eventbrite confirmation emails.

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The two-day PHXDW Conference pass includes:

• Access to all main stage keynote talks and educational breakout sessions presented by national and local design leaders
• Two full days of programming, on both Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24.
• Admission to a post-conference reception (TBD) after day one of the conference on Friday, October 23
• Admission to the Phoenix Design Week Closing Party on Friday, October 30
• Free gift poster
• One-day and individual workshops will be available in September after the Early Bird and Advance promotion windows end.

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EARLY BIRDS SAVE THE MOST AND GET A FREE CONFERENCE T-SHIRT

It helps us plan for more cool stuff when we know sooner how many people to expect — and in exchange, we're pleased to offer all you smart Early Birds a BIG discount when you register now. There are only 100 Early Bird slots available from now until July 19, whichever comes first.

• AIGA Members: $199 (will be $349)
• Affiliate Members/Nonprofits: $249 (will be $399)
• Non-Members: $299 (will be $449)
• Student/Faculty AIGA Members: $99 (will be $179)
• Student/Faculty Non-Members: $149 (will be $249)
• Groups of 5 or more from the same organization, check the box on the order form and receive a 5% rebate after the transaction during the Early Bird window.

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WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?

Lunch is on your own each day, with many downtown restaurants within walking distance. We also offer a catered Lunchbox for $35 on each day of the conference. Preorder now and we’ll have your lunchbox ready so you can meet new friends and join impromptu roundtables. After you choose your registration (member, non-member, student, etc.) SCROLL DOWN to the ADD-ONs section of order form. Menu selections will be announced in October (dietary modifications available). Please note that the Convention Center does not allow outside food on the premises.

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Please note that all other standalone Phoenix Design Week offsite events from October 23-30, 2026 are NOT included in the conference registration.

More Ways to Save

Become an AIGA member and get perks too.

AIGA members save up to $100 over non-member pricing, waived transaction fees, and some secret bonuses at the conference especially for members, too. Be ready to enter your AIGA membership number and current year expiration date on the order form to qualify.

Learn more about membership options and join at http://www.aiga.org/join/, then return to this site and enter your AIGA member number and expiration date to qualify for Member registration. AIGA memberships are issued by the national AIGA organization, are portable to any chapter across the US, and can be billed quarterly. Want someone to walk you through it? Contact us locally at [email protected].

Other Discount Opportunities

• Affiliate discounts offered to members of our sister professional organizations (AAF PHX, AZIMA, AMA, and PRSA).
• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) designation may also choose the Affiliate discount level (have your organization's EIN ready to enter on the order form)
• Students and teachers receive up to half off, and waived transaction fees; choose Student/Faculty option.
• Group Rebates: Five or more qualified attendees from the same organization; check the "We're a Group" box on the order form at the end of your transaction, and subsequently receive a rebate of 10% back on your on Advance (July 20-August 31) or 15% Full price (September 1-October 23) order, refunded back to your original method of payment. Does not apply to already discounted Early Bird, Student/Faculty, One-Day, or other special offers.
• One-Day Options: Can't make it both days of the conference? One-day and individual workshop registration may be available in July after the Early Bird and promotion windows end.
• Support PHXDW with a sponsorship that includes conference passes (see section below)

Become a Sponsor

A conference of this caliber at such reasonable prices simply would not be possible without the generous monetary and in-kind contributions of our sponsors — dedicated companies and individuals who want to demonstrate their commitment to Arizona's design community by standing behind Phoenix Design Week. Packages that include benefits such as sponsor passes, promotions, and exhibition spaces are available starting at the $250 tier. If you or your company would be interested in having your name, products, or services highlighted to the Phoenix Design Week audience, please email [email protected] for more information. Thank you!

Sponsor A Student Donation

Enable a deserving student to attend PHXDW 2026 so they can experience what it means to participate in their greater design community. Add-on student sponsorships are only $150 and cover the attendance cost for students currently enrolled at a college or university in a design-related field. As a student sponsor, you can choose one (or more!) student(s) from those who apply for scholarship, or have AIGA AZ select a student for you. Your contact information will be shared with the student, or you may remain anonymous. Click RESERVE A SPOT then SCROLL DOWN to the ADD-ON section of the order form to choose this option. Students interested in applying for sponsorship, watch for submission announcements.

The Details

Location and Transportation

This year, the conference will be held in the SOUTH building of the Phoenix Convention Center. In the heart of downtown Phoenix within walking distance of hotels, entertainment and restaurants, the center has a dedicated stop on the METRO Light Rail line, and is about fifteen minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Paid parking is available in the convention center garage and at other facilities within walking distance. Reserve in advance, see rates and other options here.

Lodging Information

We are currently making arrangements with a nearby hotel to offer discounted rates to conference attendees. Details will be announced when we have them.

Dining Options

Lunch breaks will be 1.5 hours, allowing you enough time to visit one of the many downtown restaurants within walking distance. See above section for preordered Lunchbox option.

Cancellation and Refund Options

• Transfer 100% of your registration to another person by notifying us no later than Thursday, October 22, 2026. Your request must include your name and email address as well as that of the person who will be attending in your place. If you have registered as an AIGA member, your substitute attendee must also be an AIGA member; additional higher price may apply for non-members.
• Request a 100% credit to be applied toward next year’s conference by notifying us no later than Thursday, October 22, 2026. If you are holding a credit or transfer from a past year, please contact [email protected].
• Cancel and request a partial refund of your registration during these timeframes: 80% through July 19 / 65% through August 31 / 40% through October 18 / 0% thereafter.
• If AIGA Arizona, the venue, or world events cause us to cancel the event altogether, we will issue refunds on all registrations less any nonrefundable fees or costs out of the control of AIGA Arizona.

Speakers and Schedule

While we make every effort to confirm our speakers' participation prior to the event, we cannot guarantee that the published speaker list or schedule will be exactly as presented online. Speakers and schedule are subject to change without notice.

Land Acknowledgement

AIGA Arizona acknowledges that this event is being held on the land of the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People, stewarded today by the Akimel O’odham (Pima), Tohono O’odham, as well as the Pee Posh (Maricopa), who are the indigenous peoples of this land. We acknowledge the sovereignty of all Native Nations within the state of Arizona, and recognize our responsibility to honor Indigenous People, their culture, and their legacy as thriving contemporary communities by advocating for inclusive and diverse practices for all design-related institutions.

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WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND AIGA AZ EVENTS?

• You may learn some stuff
• You’ll definitely meet some cool people
• We like to give away freebies
• Networking can help further your career, no matter where you are on that journey
• It’s how you learn about volunteer opportunities—from joining the board to mentorship
• It means supporting us, which means supporting our creative community so we can bring you bigger and better programs all year long

GOTTA HAVE FINE PRINT

• Speakers’ presentations and viewpoints are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of AIGA Arizona. We are not responsible for the content of every presentation; please be aware that adult language, visuals or topics may sometimes be included.
• Your registration constitutes permission to use photos, audio, and video recording taken of you at the event for promotional and educational purposes in connection with AIGA Arizona, and places you on the master mailing list.
• AIGA Arizona follow the AIGA Code of Conduct. We reserve the right to refuse admittance for violations of this Code, or other unlawful or disruptive actions. Any concerns should be addressed to the AIGA Arizona president.
• Phoenix Design Week is a non-profit event , wholly owned and presented by AIGA Arizona, a 501(c)(3) organization.