Accord, NY
Gel is a creative, multidisciplinary conference exploring good experience in all its forms.
Gel 2026
Read the recap. The event went great!
• When: Friday-Saturday, October 2-3, 2026
• Where: Accord, NY, just outside New Paltz
• Details: Location, Speakers, Schedule
• Videos: Watch in the archive
At a moment when oppressive tech monopolies are hollowing out the economy and threatening democratic society, Gel 2026 served as an oasis. We explored the risks of a Big Tech-dominated society while spotlighting positive, inspiring people and projects who are bringing about rebirth: new ways of creating, resisting, and living that are charting a path forward.
Gel 2026 took place across a day and a half: Friday, October 2 for speaker presentations, a catered lunch, in-person experiences, and a skate party; and Saturday morning, October 3, for guided community-building. (See Schedule.)
Location
Gel 2026 was held at Skate Time, a roller skating rink in Accord, NY. We transformed the rink into a seated venue for speaker presentations and on-site workshops.
On the evening of the first day, we hosted an amazing skate party at the rink, where attendees put on skates and try out the rink! Thanks to our live band (Dirt Surfers) and our DJ (Miss Behavior) for their spectacular music.
Thanks to BjornQorn for making the venue available to Gel.
Newsletter
Sign up for Gel news — and more — in the Creative Good newsletter, published weekly by Gel founder and host Mark Hurst.
Speakers
-
Mark Hurst Founder and host, Gel conference; host of Techtonic on WFMU -
Rocío Salceda Founder, Repair Café El Barrio -
Janet Vertesi Founder, Opt Out Project -
Bjorn, Stephanie, and Jamie BjornQorn leaders -
Micah Worker Trustee (Co-ED), Good Work Institute -
Eric Gullickson President, Mohonk Mountain House -
Nina Smiley Director of Mindfulness Programming at Mohonk -
K Greene Co-founder, Hudson Valley Seed Company -
Meredith Kooi Co-director, Wave Farm -
Jessica Elefante Author and filmmaker -
Paul Sturtz Executive Director, Upstate Films
In-person experiences
-
Ravenwood Where farming and food intersect with art and design -
Mohonk mindfulness walk Outdoor session on the grounds of Mohonk Mountain House -
Lite Brite Neon The artist collective that has created hundreds of neon works of art -
Good Work Institute A worker self-directed nonprofit organization supporting people and initiatives committed to Good Work -
Hudson Valley Seed Company Using art as inspiration, and supporting every kind of grower in finding fulfillment as their own garden path unfolds