January 30 - February 1

RESCHEDULED DATES:

The Summit will now be spread out over six sessions, both in-person and virtual. Available to exisiting registered ticket holders. See below for details and check your email for links.
February 23, February 24, February 25, March 2, March 3, and March 4

All sessions are available to all ticket holders.  You are not limited to the sessions you selected at registration.

Rescheduled: Summit Some More

We are still disappointed that the weather forced us to reschedule parts of this year’s Summit. After so much planning and anticipation, it was a tough call, but your safety will always come first.

Our maker community showed up with grace and a willingness to pivot, and that says so much about who you are. Thank you for rolling with the changes and continuing to make this Summit special.

As promised, all attendees will receive access to videos of our keynote speakers. In addition, we are excited to offer you the chance to experience our breakout sessions both in-person and via Zoom over the coming weeks.

Welcome bags will be distributed at the in-person sessions on February 24 at the Emporium, so be sure to stop by and pick yours up.

UPDATED SCHEDULE

February 23 – 12:00 PM VIRTUAL
eCommerce: How to Build an Artisan Brand Online – Sarah Sewell

February 24 – IN-PERSON at The Emporium (100 Gay Street)
9:00 AM – Doors Open
9:30 AM – Bots & Boundaries – Halee Sprinkle
10:30 AM – Trendspotting – Jade Pacifico

Break for lunch & dinner on your own. 

6:00 PM – Doors Open
6:30 PM – Build It Right: Business Structures – Frank & Eboni James
7:30 PM – Leverage Licensing to Turn Creativity into Opportunity – Ann Buckingham

February 25 – 6:00 PM VIRTUAL
Ideas, Ideas, Ideas – James Victore

March 2  – 12 PM VIRTUAL
Visual Storytelling – Debbie Millman

March 3 – 12 PM VIRTUAL
AI: Intellectual property & where creative worlds collide – Melissa Centers

March 4 – 12 PM IN-PERSON at Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (17 Market Square)
Using AI to move From Gut Feel to Data-Driven Decision – Marcus Blair

We know these sessions will continue to spark ideas, connections, and momentum for your work. All sessions will be recorded and posted online for existing ticket holders for the Jan 30-Feb 2 event. As a registered ticket holder, you will receive reminder emails before the beginning of each session week. 

If you are a registered ticket holder and have not recieved an email, please notify us at hello@themakercity.org

10 Years of Making Space.

For a whole decade, makers, dreamers, and doers have been coming together at The Maker City Summit to build businesses, spark ideas, and cheer each other on. And this year, we’re celebrating 10 years of Making Space: space for creativity, for community, and for the next big thing.

Through speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, you'll learn how to scale your business, attract customers, and build a sustainable brand.

No matter if you’ve been at this for years or you’re just dipping your toes in, there’s a seat saved for you. Our lineup’s as diverse as the makers themselves — from painters to potters, brewers to bakers, performers to fabricators. Whether you're a part-time hobbyist or a full-time entrepreneur, this is where you’ll learn, be inspired, and connect with folks who get what it means to build something from scratch and pour your heart into it.

Makers from 30+ states and 130 cities have come together here. The largest gathering in our region to learn, connect, and be inspired. 

Keynote Speakers

  • Debbie Millman

    DESIGN MATTERS

  • James Victore

    VICTORE PRODUCTIONS

  • Phillip Collins

    GOOD BLACK ART

  • Sarah Sewell

    FLOURISH WITH SARAH

CHECK OUT ALL 2026 SPEAKERS

General
Ticket

$95

Day
Of

$115

Contact hello@themakercity.org for a Student Rate discount.
General Scholarship Application.

REGISTER

Schedule

Canceled due to weather. Ticket holders please check your email.

  • SUMMIT SOIRÉE & 10 YEAR CELEBRATION

    Able Trade, 203 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902 : 5:30 PM

    Come Together & Celebrate

    We’re inviting all makers to gather at a local maker space to swap stories, reflect how far we’ve come, and look ahead to what’s next for our community.

  • SNOW UPDATES
    Canceled due to weather. Ticket holders please check your email.


    Headshots

    9:15 AM : SIGN-IN AND COFFEE

    10 AM : INTRO + WELCOME

    11 AM : KEYNOTE
    BORDERS ARE SUGGESTIONS
    Phillip Collins, Good Black Art

    12:00 PM : LUNCH

    1:00 PM : BREAKOUT SESSIONS
    Three Options

    2:30 PM : BREAKOUT SESSIONS
    Three Options

    3:30 PM : KEYNOTE SPEAKER
    10 YEAR PLAN
    Debbie Millman, Design Matters

    5-7 PM : SOCIAL: The Curio, Maker Exchange

    Keep the conversation going after the day’s programming has come to an end at the after party.

  • Canceled due to weather. Ticket holders please check your email.

    8:15 AM : SIGN-IN AND COFFEE

    9 AM : KEYNOTE
    MAKER TO MERCHANT
    Sarah Sewell, Flourish with Sarah

    10:00 AM : BREAKOUT SESSIONS
    Three Options

    11 PM : KEYNOTE
    STOP BEING SO DAMN REASONABLE
    James Victore, Victore Productions

    12 PM : Go have lunch downtown with old friends and new connections to discuss the weekend and scheme new business plans.

Testimonials

Testimonials

“It helped push me on a course rather than waffling on my decisions.”
— 2024 attendee
“I really like just being among my people. The vibe at the conference is uplifting.”
— 2024 attendee
“I feel inspired and less critical of myself to keep going. So VERY beneficial.”
— 2024 attendee