Gel 2026
Gel is a creative, multidisciplinary conference exploring good experience in all its forms.
• When: Friday-Saturday, October 2-3, 2026
• Where: Accord, NY, just outside New Paltz
• Details: Location, Speakers, Schedule
• Join us: Register
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 rebirth: new ways of creating, resisting, and living that are charting a path forward.
Gel will take 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 will be held at Skate Time, a roller skating rink in Accord, NY. 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!
Thanks to BjornQorn for making the venue available to Gel.
Getting there: Accord is a two-hour drive from New York City and offers many options for lodging at hotels in New Paltz and Kingston, as well as 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.
Newsletter
Sign up for Gel news — and more — in the Creative Good newsletter, published weekly by Gel founder and host Mark Hurst.
Speakers
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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 -
K Greene Co-founder, Hudson Valley Seed Company -
Meredith Kooi Co-director, Wave Farm
In-person experiences
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Ravenwood Where farming and food intersect with art and design -
Mohonk Mountain House The mountaintop sanctuary and resort -
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