What to Expect at The Maker City Summit This Year
If you’re planning to attend The Maker City Summit 2026, you’re in for a weekend built to spark ideas, strengthen connections, and celebrate a decade of Knoxville’s creative community. Now in its tenth year, the Summit continues to be a gathering place for makers, dreamers, and doers — artists, entrepreneurs, designers, brewers, and builders — all coming together to share what they know and imagine what’s next.
This year’s theme, “10 Years of Making Space,” honors the creative ecosystem that works together to make a thriving Maker City. Over the years, attendees have come from more than thirty states and 130 cities, making The Maker City Summit one of the region’s most vibrant gatherings for creative entrepreneurs. Whether you make for a living or simply love the act of making, you’ll find something that speaks to you.
Weekend Schedule
The weekend kicks off Friday evening with the Summit Soirée and 10-Year Celebration at Able Trade in downtown Knoxville. It’s a relaxed start to the weekend — a chance to connect, mingle, and celebrate how far the community has come. Saturday morning begins bright and early with check-in and coffee before the day’s sessions start at 9:00 a.m. The first keynote, “10 Year Plan” with Debbie Millman, invites attendees to reflect on their creative journeys and envision what they want the next decade to look like.
From there, the day unfolds into a variety of breakout sessions designed to meet makers wherever they are in their journey. Morning sessions include topics like building a brand online with Sarah Sewell, exploring AI and intellectual property with Melissa Centers, and decoding social trends with Jade Pacifico. After lunch, attendees will regroup for an interactive creative exercise before diving back into afternoon sessions on business structures, social media boundaries, and idea generation.
Saturday closes with a keynote from Phillip Collins, titled “Borders Are Suggestions,” which challenges creative boundaries — both personal and professional — and celebrates the diversity of thought that fuels The Maker City community. The evening wraps up with a casual social event where conversations and collaborations continue offstage.
On Sunday, attendees will ease back in with coffee and connection before the day’s keynotes begin. The morning starts with Sarah Sewell’s “How to Build an Artisan Brand Online,” followed by another round of breakouts including visual storytelling with Debbie Millman, AI automation tools with Marcus Blair, and a session on licensing and business growth with Ann Buckingham. The weekend concludes with James Victore’s talk, “Stop Being So Damn Reasonable,” a fiery and inspiring call to trust your boldness, take risks, and make work that matters.
Community and Connection
Throughout the weekend, you’ll have countless opportunities to connect with other creatives — at coffee breaks, over lunch, or in the in-between moments where new ideas take shape. Bring your business cards, your curiosity, and keep a notebook handy. Whether your goal is to learn something new, meet collaborators, or reimagine your creative path, this year’s Summit promises to leave you energized and ready for what’s next.
Ten years in, The Maker City Summit is still an example of what happens when creativity and community collide. You’ll leave with new ideas, new friends, and maybe even a new sense of direction — ready to make space for the next big thing.
Tickets are $85 right now, but Early Bird pricing ends October 31st! Get your ticket today and mark your calendar for January 30th-February 1st!
For tickets and the full schedule, visit themakercitysummit.org.
