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The inaugural DIY CON took place in Dallas from Nov. 6-8, 2026, bringing DIY creators, HGTV personalities, makers and consumers together for three days of workshops, product demonstrations and stage events. Organizers said the event aimed to help attendees turn online inspiration into practical skills and project confidence. Attendance figures and plans for a future show were not provided in the source report.
The inaugural DIY CON brought DIY creators, HGTV personalities, makers and consumers together in Dallas from Nov. 6-8, 2026, with workshops, product demonstrations and stage conversations aimed at helping attendees turn project ideas into practical skills. The event’s organizers presented it as a place to learn directly from creators and test products, rather than relying only on online tutorials.
The three-day event featured Main Stage appearances by Drew and Jonathan Scott, Ty Pennington, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, and Cole and Chelsea DeBoer. Workshop sessions covered skills including deck building, live-edge charcuterie boards and pocket-hole techniques, with programming aimed at beginners, intermediate DIYers and experienced makers.
The showfloor included more than 75 vendors and manufacturers, according to the report, with product demonstrations and show deals. The North American Hardware and Paint Association also brought products recognized in its 2026 Retailers’ Choice Awards. Other areas included The Den for meeting makers and making a keepsake, a Backyard beer garden and family hangout, and a Kids Zone with hands-on activities.
DIY CON also drew people seeking business ideas, not just personal project advice. Sterling Cherry and Caitlin Driscoll, executives at Madison Lumber & Hardware in Ketchikan, Alaska, attended to explore ways to attract more DIY customers to a store where about 60% of customers are professionals and contractors, Driscoll said. The store already has a DIY workshop.
Turning Online Ideas Into Skills
The event’s focus addressed a challenge described by event director Hector Morfin-Chong: DIY consumers can find abundant project content, but may struggle to decide which advice is reliable, which tools fit their needs and whether a project is manageable. Workshops and in-person product demonstrations gave attendees a chance to ask questions and try techniques before taking them home.
That approach may also matter to independent hardware retailers and product makers. Driscoll said her team hoped to gather ideas for store workshops and ways to connect with DIY shoppers. Exhibitor Rick Goren, owner and inventor of Wristbeams and Rotoshovel, said the event helped him connect with vendors and the independent retail channel as well as put products in front of consumers. The report did not provide sales totals or other measures of the event’s commercial impact.
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A New Event for DIY Consumers
DIY CON was described in the report as a brand-new show built around bringing together personalities from social media, television and the maker community. Lifestyle expert Kathryn Emery compared its mix of creators and fans to Comic-Con, while describing a more relaxed atmosphere that included meetups, live music and a beer garden.
Morfin-Chong said the event’s purpose was to move beyond inspiration and give consumers practical guidance, confidence and community. Attendees could hear from familiar personalities and take part in hands-on sessions. The format also made room for advice about limits: attendees were encouraged to understand when a project is suitable for a DIY approach and when professional help may be needed.
“Today, the challenge is deciding which advice to trust, which tool is right, whether a project is realistic and how to get started.”
— DIY CON event director Hector Morfin-Chong
Attendance and Future Plans
The source report does not state how many people attended, whether the event met its organizers’ goals, or whether another DIY CON is planned. It also gives no overall sales figures for vendors. Goren said sales during the three-day event were “through the r” in the supplied text, which ends mid-sentence; no complete sales result can be confirmed from that material.
The report describes the program and the experiences of selected attendees and exhibitors, but does not provide independent evaluation of the workshops’ outcomes or data on how many participants later completed projects.
No Return Date Reported
The event took place Nov. 6-8, 2026. The source report does not identify a date or location for a future edition, nor does it describe next steps for exhibitors or organizers. Any announcement about a return event, attendance results or sales performance would add information not confirmed in the available report.
Key Questions
When and where was DIY CON 2026 held?
The inaugural event took place in Dallas from Nov. 6-8, 2026.
What could attendees do at DIY CON?
Attendees could watch Main Stage conversations, join practical workshops, try products, visit more than 75 exhibitors and take part in activities in The Den, Backyard and Kids Zone.
Which well-known personalities appeared?
The report lists Drew and Jonathan Scott, Ty Pennington, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, and Cole and Chelsea DeBoer among the Main Stage guests.
Will DIY CON return?
The source report does not say whether a future edition has been scheduled. No return date or location was provided.
Source: hardwareretailing.com
