OpenEd26 Planning: We Want to Hear from You!
Call for Input on 2026 Conference Format
Earlier this year, the Open Education Conference Board of Directors released a statement acknowledging how the current U.S. political and policy environment has affected participants in this year’s conference (which will be held as a hybrid event from October 28-30 in Denver, Colorado, with both in-person and online options). In that statement, the Board committed to take a series of actions to address the impact on participation, including carefully considering these impacts when planning next year’s conference.
As part of this ongoing evaluation, the Board is inviting community input on the format for the 2026 Open Education Conference. While OpenEd25 shows strong anticipated attendance in both Denver and online formats, the Board is exploring other format options for next year. Potential options include returning to a fully virtual format, which proved successful from 2020 through 2023, or trying new approaches to in-person engagement, such as hosting regional events or organizing local watch parties.
We welcome your input on the format for OpenEd26. Please share your thoughts using the feedback form below, which takes less than 3 minutes to complete.
New Administrative Partnership for Long-Term Growth
Alongside discussion about next year’s format, the Board is also planning for the long-term sustainability of the conference. SPARC has served as the administrative organizer for the past six years, supporting conference operations through its transition to community leadership. With growing efforts to establish a new U.S. association for open education (the Open Education Association Development Project), the conference has an opportunity to help build its future organizational home.
Starting in 2026, the Open Education Association Development Project will serve as the conference’s administrative organizer. As the project is currently housed at SPARC, the change will not impact day-to-day operations. This decision allows the conference to help shape a closely-aligned organization that can serve as a sustainable home for the future, while remaining an accessible, international event that welcomes all who share the values of open education.
We hope to see you at the 2025 Open Education Conference, which will be held as a hybrid event in Denver, CO and online. Register now.