2026 Conference Info

In 2006 the American Glass Guild held its first conference in Albany, NY.  In the two decades that have gone by since that first event, the AGG has worked steadily to provide educational opportunities to stained glass artists and craftspeople through conferences, workshops, tours, scholarships, exhibitions and more.  Now for our 2026 conference, the AGG invites past, present and new members of our community to come together and help us celebrate our 20th anniversary! 
 

For this landmark year, the AGG has chosen the greater NYC/NJ area for our conference. To make the event accessible to as many people as possible, our goal was to keep the main event registration and lodging costs affordable. With a Newark, NJ based hotel we’ll have convenient access to New York City without the high price tag. The main conference will take place on Saturday and Sunday August 8-9, with optional events and activities throughout the week of August 4-10 to allow attendees to customize the experience to their own interests and budget. 

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 With so many incredible examples of stained glass to see in and around the city, the 2026 conference will offer three separate bus tours to take advantage of all the sights. AGG sponsor Bendheim Stained Glass will also offer free small group tours of their facilities in Wayne, NJ with included transportation. Reservations are required and spaces are limited.

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We are pleased to be able to work with Glass Roots of Newark, NJ, a fellow glass art nonprofit organization which will host pre-conference workshops and the American Glass Now exhibition. Additional workshops will take place at the hotel and at the Gil Studio in Jersey City, NJ. (Please note that students must provide their own transportation to workshops outside of the hotel) Space is limited for bus tours and workshops so be sure to sign up promptly to reserve your spot. You must be registered for the main conference to attend workshops. The bus tour is not open to the general public but registered attendees may purchase a ticket for plus-one guests. You may also have a plus-one guest join you for meals. 

Your main conference registration includes

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• Saturday and Sunday, live demonstrations and slide presentations from noted glass artists, craftspeople, conservators, and historians (keep an eye on our social media for presenter previews)

• Transportation to Glass Roots on Saturday afternoon to view the American Glass Now juried exhibition of member artwork and tour the studios

• Saturday and Sunday lunches, Sunday banquet dinner, light casual fare Friday and Saturday evening

• Bendheim tour, your choice of Wednesday or Thursday, spaces limited and reservations required 

• Silent and live auctions 

• Friday night documentary screening and Saturday night trivia

• Conference T-shirt 

• Optional participation in the non-juried member exhibition to be held at the hotel during the conference

Our Preliminary Schedule is as follows:

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Tuesday 8/4 

• NYC Bus Tour - Downtown: Gilded Age Churches and Lower East Side 

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Wednesday 8/5

• Pre-Conference Workshops during the day

• Community project starts

• Bendheim Tours
   

Thursday 8/6

• Pre-Conference Workshops during the day

• Bendheim Tours

• 7:30 PM - Roundtables in the evening 

Friday 8/7

• NYC Bus Tour - Uptown: The Cathedrals and the Cloisters

• 6:00 PM - Pizza, salad and movie night.  Cash bar.
   

Saturday 8/8

• Presentations

• Lunch buffet

• Afternoon visit to AGN at Glass Roots

• 6:00 PM - Hors d’oevres, cold station, hot station.  Cash bar

• Trivia
   

Sunday 8/9

• Presentations and demos

• Lunch buffet

• Dinner/Auction
   

Monday 8/10

• Bus Tour of Harry Clarke windows Bayonne, NJ early morning

• Hotel check out 11 a.m. 

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Our hotel where the majority of our conference will take place will be the Holiday Inn Newark Airport, with a special group rate of $119.00 a night! This rate is available from 7/31/26 - 8/13/26, so take an extra day to enjoy New York before or after the conference! Free shuttle to the airport on a regular basis, with easy access to public transportation to get to Big Apple! Hotel booking is now open, please click on the Button below to reserve your room at the discounted rate now! Issues with the hotel's booking site, watch this quick video for tips on navigating the page.

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Sign up for one of our Pre-Conference Workshops, open now for booking! Join a class with one of many talented glass artists willing to share their time and talents with the wider glass community. Enhance your skills, make connections, and leave inspired! Click on the button below to book your workshop today!

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