For the first time in our history, the Information Architecture Conference (IAC26) will return to last year’s location – Philadelphia and the Arch Street Meeting House.
While we value the tradition of exploring a new city each year, this decision allows us to deepen connections, reduce planning complexity, and focus on what matters most: delivering an inclusive, accessible, and community-driven conference.
Why Philadelphia?
- A welcoming, connected city: Philadelphia is centrally located for many of our east coast attendees, with easy access by train and air from major population centers.
- Rich cultural experiences: Philly is vibrant, diverse, and full of history. Even if you attended last year, there will be new restaurants, museums, and neighborhoods to explore in 2026.
- Great fit for our community: Feedback from IAC25 confirmed that Philadelphia fostered energy, accessibility, and meaningful connection.
Focusing on What Matters Most
What makes IAC special isn’t just the location, but the in-person connections. After several years online, we’ve seen how face-to-face learning, networking, and relationship-building bring exponential value.
By returning to a known venue, our volunteer team can:
- Plan for the unexpected in today’s unpredictable world.
- Enhance accessibility and inclusion for all attendees.
- Invest in new ways to engage our global and remote community
Supporting Our International Community
We also know that this decision may cause challenges for our international attendees who face rising travel costs and concerns about navigating U.S. travel restrictions. We hear you – and we are committed to finding helpful ways for those abroad, or unable to travel in person, to stay engaged with IAC.
Removing the complexity of planning in a brand-new location gives us more bandwidth to:
- Explore hybrid opportunities for remote engagement.
- Provide resources and support that extend the conference beyond the physical venue.
- Build longer-lasting connections online so participation doesn’t end when the conference does.
Volunteer-Led, Community-Focused
IAC has always been volunteer-run and community-driven. Returning to Philadelphia is a cost-effective, strategic choice that ensures we can prioritize what matters most:
- An inclusive and safe experience.
- High-quality, user-centered content.
- Space to nurture our professional and personal connections.
We’re excited to welcome you back in April 2026 for the 27th annual Information Architecture Conference – a chance to build on what worked so well last year and shape the future of information architecture, UX, and content strategy together.
-IAC26 Cochairs
Emily Claflin, Caroline Craner, Jacob Geib-Rosch