Gel 2026
Gel is back! Now 10 years after our most recent event, Gel 2016, the event returns on October 2-3 with the theme: Rebirth. Gel will be a day-and-a-half experience featuring speakers, tours, workshops, and community building – and a skate party. (See Schedule.) We’ll be in Accord, NY, two hours upstate from New York City. (See Location.)
At a moment when oppressive tech monopolies are hollowing out the economy and threatening democratic society, Gel serves as an oasis. We will explore the risks of a Big Tech-dominated society while spotlighting positive, inspiring people and projects who are bringing about rebith: new ways of creating, resisting, and living that are charting a path forward.
Gel is a community-building event. In addition to learning from speakers and facilitators, we’ll connect with one another. No algorithms, no platforms getting in the way. Gel will give us a greater awareness of what’s possible – so that we’re better equipped to survive the AI age.
Location
Gel 2026 will be held at Skate Time, a roller skating rink in Accord, NY just outside New Paltz. We’ll transform the rink into a seated venue for speaker presentations and on-site workshops.
On the evening of the first day, we’ll host a skate party at the rink, where attendees are invited (but not required) to put on skates and try out the rink!
Getting there: The Accord/New Paltz area is a two-hour drive from New York City and offers many options for lodging at hotels and B&Bs. Attendees from out of town will probably want to book a room for Thursday and Friday night – and perhaps Saturday, too, if they want to extend their time during what is typically a beautiful time of year in the Catskills.
Thanks to BjornQorn for making the venue available to Gel.
Newsletter
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Speakers
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Mark Hurst Founder and host, Gel conference -
TBD Speakers coming soon!Watch this space. -
TBD