10 am, KEYNOTE Debbie Millman, Design Matters : 10 Year Plan

In 2005, Debbie Millman took a class with Milton Glaser, who gave a life-changing assignment: write an essay envisioning your life five years into the future, assuming certain success. Debbie Millman wrote her essay in a journal, and over the next four years, many of her dreams and goals began to manifest. With Milton’s approval, Debbie now teaches this exercise and increased the timeline from five years to 10 to give people more runway and because she believes anything worthwhile takes time. In this workshop, she will encourage each person to re-envision and reimagine their lives and write their 10-Year Plan.

11 am, BREAKOUT SESSIONS Pick One

• Ecommerce: How to Build an Artisan Brand Online with Sarah Sewell, Flourish with Sarah

  • Do you see yourself as a hobbyist… or an entrepreneur? In this mindset-focused talk, Sarah Sewell challenges makers to step into their role as business owners. If you’ve ever downplayed your talent, underpriced your work, or struggled to take your shop seriously, this session will help you understand how your thoughts, words, and beliefs directly impact the growth of your business and how to start shifting them today.

• AI: Intellectual Property & Where Creative Worlds Collide with Melissa Centers, University of Tennessee

  • As AI tools become more common in the creative process, new questions emerge: Who owns the work? What rights do makers retain? This session unpacks the intersection of technology, law, and artistry, offering clarity in a fast-changing landscape.

• Social Trendspotting with Jade Adams, Mother Shop

  • Trends move fast. But makers don’t just follow them, they help shape them. This session digs into the forces driving today’s creative industries and offers practical insights on spotting what’s rising, what’s fading, and where to focus your energy.

2:30 pm, BREAKOUT SESSIONS Pick One

• Build It Right: Business Structures with Frank & Eboni James, Command & Counsel

  • Your business structure shapes everything from daily operations to long-term success. Learn how to weigh the pros and cons of different models, avoid common mistakes, and set up your creative business with clarity and confidence.

• Bots & Boundaries for Social with Halee Sprinkle, Czech Yourself Marketing

  • Discover how to use AI as your secret weapon—not your replacement—in this hands-on session designed for makers and entrepreneurs. We’ll explore when AI tools can boost your content game, save you time, and spark creativity—and when to skip the bot and show up human. Walk away with practical tips, real-world examples, and confidence to blend AI with your authentic voice. Let’s make smarter social media that still sounds like you.

• Ideas, Ideas, Ideas with James Victore, Victore Productions

  • Great ideas don’t come from playing it safe. James will challenge you to think differently, trust your instincts, and turn raw sparks of inspiration into powerful creative work. Expect humor, honesty, and a kick of motivation.

3:30 pm, KEYNOTE Phillip Collins, Good Black Art : Borders Are Suggestions

In a world where the lines between disciplines, geographies, and identities are constantly shifting, artists have the unique power to redraw the map. Borders Are Suggestions is a keynote designed to inspire creative practitioners to see beyond limits—real or imagined—and position themselves as architects of new cultural landscapes.