Theme: Bridging the Gap
October 1–4, 2026 | Dallas, Texas
BloomCon26 is Bright Insight's four-day conference for gifted and twice-exceptional neurodivergent adults (ages 18+) and those who live, work, and build alongside them. Centered on this year’s theme, “Bridging the Gap,” the conference explores connections between research and lived experience, services and community, access and opportunity, intellectual depth and practical application.
This year’s gathering will take place in historic downtown Dallas, beginning at the AC Hotel Dallas Downtown on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 1, and continuing Friday, Oct. 2, through 4:00 pm on Sunday, Oct. 4, at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.
For those unable to attend the live event, an online BloomCon26 speaker series will be offered later in October. In alignment with Bright Insight’s commitment to accessibility, this series will be available on a pay-what-you-can basis, with a donation of any amount.
Event Structure
Thursday, October 1 — AC Hotel Dallas Downtown
Registration opens, followed by an opening social and community connection event.
Friday & Saturday, October 2–3 — J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
Full conference programming including:
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Catalyst speakers
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Workshops
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Presentations
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Roundtables
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Games
The conference will also feature:
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Vendors
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An on-site conference bookstore
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Author book signings
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Night life outings
Sunday, October 4 — J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
A closing Connections Event designed to deepen dialogue, collaboration, and ongoing community-building.
Additional programming details will be released as registration numbers are finalized.
Registration Pricing
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Early Bird (now through July 1, 2026): $240
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Standard (July 2 – September 30, 2026): $275
- At the Door: $300
- Online Speaker Series (later in October): Pay-What-You-Can Donation
Registration covers all four days of programming, including lunches and refreshments on Days 2–4.
Participants who choose to contribute above the listed registration rate directly support partial scholarships. Scholarship requests may be made by emailing: brightinsightadvocate@gmail.com.
A payment link is included in the registration form and can also be accessed here: PAY REGISTRATION HERE
Hotel Information
A room block has been arranged at three connected downtown hotels:
- AC Hotel Dallas Downtown $159
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Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown $165
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Residence Inn by Marriott Dallas Downtown $169
Block rates range from $159–$169 per night, depending on hotel. The hotels are located approximately a four-minute walk from the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, in historic downtown Dallas, near dining, entertainment, and local attractions. The hotels are all adjoined! So staying at any one of these allows you access to amenities at all of them!
Once registration payment is received, we will email you a group code for your stay, which can be used for hotel reservations between the dates of September 29 and October 6!
BloomCon26 Call for Proposals *Open Until March 31, 2026*
Theme: Bridging the Gap
Bright Insight is seeking proposals for catalyst sessions (keynote speakers), presentations, panels, workshops, roundtables, games, and creative sessions focused on connecting across lived experience, research, practice, and community. Interested individuals may fill out as many proposals as they would like for different sessions. (Please start a new form for each proposal.)
Location:📍 J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in Dallas, TX & Online
Date: 📅 October 1–4, 2026 (in person)
Along with professional presentations, we welcome interdisciplinary and lived-experience-based work. Priority selection is given to presenters who are BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, economically disadvantaged, and otherwise underrepresented within gifted and neurodivergent communities, reflecting and attending to their historical exclusion from research leadership, professional conferences, and community meaning-making.
Presenters who pre-record for the online speaker series will receive free registration as an honorarium.
BloomCon25 was funded by Dr. Patty Gently! If you would like to help her out, please do so here! ANY AMOUNT IS HELPFUL! And be sure to select the friends and family option to avoid fees!
Any donation over $100 will be considered a sponsorship! EMAIL US with sponsorship info!
Last year's BloomCon was like a BITT (Bright Insight Table Talk) mixed with a SENG conference and an in-person Bloomers Pop-Up all in one (in place of the canceled in-person SENG Community Conference)!
We had gifted literature to give away, t-shirts, Intersection of Intensity books, and Dynamism Decks for sale, and games to play! And of course, we enjoyed our “well, actually” together as we connected beautifully as a community of gifted adults!
Reservations were made at The Westin Alexandria Old Town (or nearby lodging in Alexandria, VA) around the dates of July 24-27! Watch for years BloomCon in Dallas, Texas!
For more information, email Dr. Patty Gently at brightinsightadvocate@gmail.com
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