Circles Conference
Know Before You Go
Sep 30-Oct 2, 2026
Grapevine, Texas
Everything you need for a smooth week at Circles: where to be, when doors open, where to park, and what is happening after hours.
01 / The Shape of the Week
Your Week
At a Glance
The headlines for each day. Sessions, speakers and exact times live on the full schedule.
Sep. 29
Tuesday
Night Before Workshops
- 7:00 PM Circles MixerBohemian Bull
Sep. 30
Wednesday
Design Workshops
- 8:00 AM Registration & coffee
- 12:00 PM Lunch on your own (1.5 hrs)Harvest Hall, first floor
- 7:00 PM Circles Opening Mixer3 Barrels Beer Garden
Oct. 1
Thursday
Design Day 1
- 8:00 AM Registration & coffee
- 9:00 AM Kickoff
- 12:05 PM Lunch (2 hrs)
- 12:30 PM Design on Tap lunchAuditorium · pizza & drinks provided
- 6:00 PM Design After PartyCrush It! Sports Lounge
Oct. 2
Friday
Design Day 2
- 6:00 AM CirclesFit 5KMeet in front of Palace Arts Center
- 8:00 AM Registration & coffee
- 9:00 AM Kickoff
- 11:05 AM Lunch (2 hrs)
- 11:15 AM Yoga in the ParkGazebo across from Palace Arts Center
- 3:30 PM Closing Circles MixerHarvest Hall
02 / Meet People First
Start the
Conversation
Meet people before you meet them. Introduce yourself, find the others working on what you work on, sort out rides and dinner, and walk in already knowing a few faces instead of starting cold. It stays open all week, so the conversations carry on after the sessions.
- #welcome Introduce yourself and see who else is coming
- #announcements Updates from the Circles team
- #hallway The hallway track, open all week
- #after-hours Evening plans, mixers and where everyone is heading
- #rides Carpools, airport runs and sharing a lift
- #jobs Who is hiring and who is looking
- #help Questions for the team during the week
03 / Where to Be
Venues
Workshops and the conference happen at two different venues, both in downtown Grapevine and a few minutes apart.
01
Workshop Venue
Registration opens at 8 AM
Different location from the main venue
Vin Hotel, Grapevine Main
Coffee, donuts and refreshments are out when registration opens, and a lounge area stays open through the day with coffee, water and snacks, a good spot to relax or get some work done between classes. The lunch break is 1.5 hours and lunch is on your own, with Harvest Hall right downstairs on the first floor.
- Design Workshops Wednesday, Sep. 30
02
Conference Venue
Doors open at 8 AM
04 / Getting Your Badge
Check-In
Check in once and you are set for the rest of the week. If you are attending workshops on Wednesday, check in there and pick up your badge a day early.
At the Conference
Thursday, Oct. 1 · from 8:00 AM
Palace Arts Center
The registration booth is in the Palace Arts lobby. Grab your badge, swag, T-shirt and other goodies here.
At Workshops
Wednesday, Sep. 30 · from 8:00 AM
Vin Hotel, Grapevine Main
Attending Design Workshops? Check in at the workshop venue instead, up on the 2nd floor, and get your badge a day early. You are then set for Thursday and Friday too.
Your QR Code
In your confirmation email
- 01 Your confirmation email includes a unique QR code. Show it to a volunteer at the booth for the fastest check-in. If all else fails we can still check you in by name, email or reference code.
- 02 Cannot find the email? Look your code up on the page below. Search your email address or the reference code from your confirmation and it brings up every pass on that booking, including anyone you registered alongside you. Save or screenshot it before you arrive so you are not relying on signal at the door.
- 03 If you booked workshops as well as the conference, you only need one code. The workshop QR checks you in for both, so scanning it Wednesday covers Thursday and Friday too.
- 04 Badges went to print on August 28, 2026. If you registered after that, we will have a blank badge ready for you at the booth, just add your name when you check in.
05 / Getting There
Parking
If you are able to carpool to the venue, please do. There is public parking behind the Palace Arts Center and around Grapevine Main, plus street parking out front. Tap a map to open it full size.
06 / Fuel
Breakfast
& Lunch
Snacks, donuts and coffee are out each morning to start your day. Throughout the conference we will also have coffee, sodas, water and light snacks to keep you going.
Lunch is otherwise on your own, and there are plenty of great options within walking distance. Harvest Hall on the first floor of Grapevine Main has a whole range of them.
Optional · Lunch is on us
Design on Tap Lunch
Completely optional. Lunch is a 2 hour break, so you are free to head out and do your own thing. If you would rather stick around, pizza and drinks are provided during the Design on Tap finals: come watch the finalists present, see the entries and eat on us. Seats are limited, so RSVP ahead of time.
07 / After Hours
Circles
Mixers
Mixers close out each day, a chance to relax, hang out and connect with fellow attendees. They are drinks and snacks rather than a full meal, so plan on dinner beforehand. Thursday night is the After Party, which has its own section below.
Tuesday, Sep. 29
7:00 PM
Circles Mixer
Wednesday, Sep. 30
7:00 PM
Circles Opening Mixer
Thursday, Oct. 1
6:00 PM
Circles After Party
Crush It! Sports Lounge
The big one. Food, drinks and games all night, included with your pass.
Friday, Oct. 2
3:30 PM
Closing Circles Mixer
08 / The Main Event
Circles After Party
The Game Plan
Your conference pass includes access to the After Party.
Get ready for the ultimate after-hours experience. We are taking over Crush It! Sports Lounge for a night of sports, games, food and drinks. Challenge your new conference friends to golf simulators, duckpin bowling, augmented reality darts, pickleball and arcade games, all under one roof.
This year’s theme is GAME DAY. Think jerseys, team colors, athletic wear, vintage sports gear and sports-inspired fits. Rep your favorite team, throw on a classic jersey, or take it way too far and show up as a coach, referee, mascot or sideline reporter.
Array
Thursday, Oct. 1 · from 6:00 PM
Design After Party
Food, drinks and games all night
What to Wear
The Game Plan
Best Dressed
Two winners on the night
- 01 Apple HomePod
- 02 Beats Studio Pro headphones
09 / Move Your Body
Circles Fit
Two ways to get moving on Friday, both led by members of the Circles community.
Friday, Oct. 2 · 6:00 AM
Circles Fit 5K
$25
Kickstart your Friday with the Circles 5K, a casual run with fellow attendees, whether you are a seasoned runner or just after a morning jog. No confetti cannons, but you do get water, a running bib and a medal.
Friday, Oct. 2 · 11:15 AM
Yoga in the Park
$25
Take a mid-day break with Yoga in the Park, led by attendee and experienced yogi Amy Velasquez. A relaxing practice that will leave you rejuvenated and refreshed.
Last but not least
Get Ready to Have Fun
We are so excited to have you join us. From inspiring sessions to activities and networking, the week is packed with everything you need to make the most of your time here.
Questions or need a hand? Email circles@circlesco.com. We cannot wait to see you.