Circles Conference

Want to attend Circles Conference for FREE?

Join our volunteer team and experience Circles from the inside while helping us create an incredible experience for hundreds of creatives.

Volunteers receive free access to Circles Conference, access to live recordings, lunch, opportunities to network with creative professionals, plus a Circles T-shirt and swag.

Circles Conference
September 30–October 2, 2026
Grapevine, Texas

Interested in volunteering? Email Jenna Friedrich at [email protected] to join the team.

Speaker Spotlight

Crystal Schaefer is the GP + COO at Paradox Holdings and Paravel Insights, where she works at the intersection of strategy, marketing, creative, and organizational leadership. She helps visionary organizations find clarity, strengthen their brands, and turn big ideas into strategies that create real momentum.

We’re excited to have Crystal bring her experience and perspective to the Circles stage this year.

Register today at circlesconference.com

Speaker Spotlight: Trust Design Shop

Meet Hannah Smith and Jesse MacKenzie, the creative duo behind Trust Design Shop. Their independent studio is built on strategy, thoughtful design, and the belief that great work happens when different perspectives come together.

At Circles, they’ll present “Divide and Conquer: How We Leverage Our Wildly Different Skillsets,” sharing how they’ve embraced their strengths, worked through their weaknesses, and built a collaborative process that allows two people to create work that punches well above its weight.

If you’re looking to build stronger brands, become a better collaborator, and rethink the way creative teams work together, you won’t want to miss this session.

Register today at circlesconference.com

What makes a great creative conference?

It’s the ideas that challenge you. The conversations that spark something new. The people who understand the work you do. And the inspiration you carry home long after the event ends.

That’s what Circles Conference is all about.

Join hundreds of designers, marketers, creative leaders, and storytellers for three days of world-class speakers, hands-on workshops, and meaningful connections designed to help you grow personally and professionally.

Register today at circlesconference.com

Workshop Spotlight: Charlie Howlett

AI is changing the creative industry, but knowing how to use it well is what sets great creatives apart.

Join Charlie Howlett, VP and Creative Director at Schaefer Advertising Co. , for AI in Practice: Leading Through Fear and Hype. Drawing from real experiences leading creative teams, Charlie will share practical frameworks for using AI to strengthen your thinking, improve your work, and build a culture of curiosity without losing the human creativity behind great ideas.

This workshop is filling up quickly, so now is the perfect time to reserve your seat. Plus, for a limited time, save 10% on your Circles Conference pass with code CIRCLES10.

Register today at circlesconference.com.

Speaker Spotlight

Joshua Lee is the Brand Director at , where he leads the agency’s design and brand strategy team. With a background in marketing, sales, and graphic design, Joshua helps businesses uncover what makes their brand truly unique. His experience blending strategy with creative ex*****on has helped organizations build brands that connect, grow, and stand the test of time.

At Circles Conference, Joshua will present his keynote, The Brand Shift: Finding the Story That Makes Your Brand Stand Alone. In a world where AI can generate endless content, Joshua will explore why meaning has become the most valuable asset a brand can own and how creatives can uncover the one story that sets their work apart.

Register today at circlesconference.com

Workshop Spotlight:

If you’re a creative who’s been avoiding LinkedIn, this workshop is for you.

Join Jayde I. Powell, founder of The Em Dash Co., as she shares how to turn LinkedIn into a powerful storytelling platform that attracts clients, speaking opportunities, and career growth without sacrificing your personality or creative style.

You’ll leave with practical strategies to build a personal brand that pays, a content framework you can actually stick with, and the confidence to show up as yourself.

Register today at circlesconference.com/register

WE NEED YOU.

Circles Conference is more than a conference. It’s a community built by creatives who love serving other creatives.

Every check-in, workshop, conversation, and unforgettable moment is made possible by an incredible team of volunteers working behind the scenes. Whether you’re a designer, photographer, videographer, developer, writer, or simply enjoy helping wherever you’re needed, there’s a place for you on our team.

As a volunteer, you’ll experience Circles from a whole new perspective. Meet speakers, build lasting friendships, connect with creatives from around the country, and help create an experience that inspires hundreds of attendees.

Ready to be part of the story? We’d love to have you.

Apply today at circlesconference.com/opportunities

Speaker Spotlight

We’re excited to welcome Josh Wood, Design Team Manager at , to the Circles 2026 lineup.

For nearly a decade, Josh has been creating brand identities, websites, and digital experiences that communicate with clarity and purpose. Through his work at Passion City Church, he’s helped shape creative experiences that reach and inspire people around the world.

This October, Josh will take the Circles stage to share insights from his journey in branding, digital design, and creative leadership. Whether you’re serving on a church creative team or building experiences that make an impact, you won’t want to miss his session.

Join us September 30 through October 2 in Grapevine, Texas.

Register today at circlesconference.com/register

Speaker & Workshop Spotlight: Jess Goldsmith

Jess Goldsmith is a Webby Award-winning illustrator, lettering artist, and founder of Women of Type, a global community of more than 105,000 creatives. Her bold typography work and passion for building community have inspired artists around the world.

At Circles 2026, Jess will join us as both a keynote speaker and workshop leader. In her workshop, Dynamic Text Effects in Adobe Illustrator, she’ll share practical techniques for creating eye-catching, editable typography using Illustrator’s most powerful tools.

We’re exc to welcome Jess to Grapevine this October.

Register today at circlesconference.com/register.

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