We’re just days away from the 2025 AAEC convention, in partnership with the Small Press Expo (SPX) in North Bethesda Maryland. We’ve got an amazing lineup of panels, speakers, and sessions on deck. Read on to see the full schedule and detailed descriptions of the events.
Thursday, September 11th
Marriott Hotel
Unofficial Happy Hour | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Marriott Hotel Bar
Join others and grab a drink from the bar during the unsponsored Unofficial Happy Hour.
Dinner | 7:30 pm – Onwards
On your own.
Friday, September 12th
Brookside AB, Marriott Hotel
Registration and Check-In | 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Inside the Brookside AB
Business Meeting | 10 am – 12 pm
Join AAEC leadership for a summary of 2025 and looking forward to 2026.
Lunch | 12 pm – 1:30 pm
On your own.
Monetizing Cartoons | 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Jack Ohman leads a panel discussion on the new frontier of Substack, Patreon, and everything he was forced to learn post-daily newspaper employment, with hints on marketing and content.
The First Amendment, the Supreme Court, and You | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Stephen Wermeil, Professor of Constitutional Law at American University Washington College of Law will discuss the impact of Supreme Court decisions and our right to draw and publish in 2025 America.
Break | 3:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Steve Benson Tribute | 3:45 pm – 4:15 pm
Join us as we remember our friend and colleague, Steve Benson.
Break | 4:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Fireside Chat with Rep. Jamie Raskin | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Congressman Raskin (representing the Congressional District in which we will meet) is the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and is one of the strongest voices in Congress for the protection of our Constitution and nation. He’ll report to us from the front lines.
Dinner | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
On your own.
Meet and Greet SPX | 7:30 pm
Marriott Hotel Bar
Mingle with non-editorial cartoonist cartoonists and others as SPX 2025 kicks off.
Saturday, September 13th
Strathmore Room, Marriott Hotel
Enjoy both SPX and AAEC sessions today. We’ve packed the afternoon with sessions, so we recommend eating lunch before or ordering in with a food delivery app.
Perspectives: Diversity in Political Cartooning with David Brown, Keith Knight, Lalo Alcaraz, and Alexandra Bowman | 11 am – 11:45 am
This panel will focus on the experiences of cartoonists of color and women in an industry dominated by White men. It explores the challenges of depicting issues about injustice, race relations and American history from an African American, female, and Latino perspective.
Art of the Nightmare: Facing Down the Regime with Steve Brodner |
12 pm – 12:45 pm
Where there’s political strife, there’s always an explosion of political art to match. Join Steve Brodner as he explores some of the funniest, thought provoking, and poignant editorial cartoons created by his colleagues in 2025.
Workshop: The Art of Political Cartooning with Jack Ohman, Kevin Kallaugher, Rob Rogers, and David Horsey | 1 pm – 1:45 pm
Join Jack Ohman as he explores everything from stylistic influences to artistic techniques with three of America’s preeminent editorial cartoonists, Kevin Kallaugher, Rob Rogers, and David Horsey.
The Evolution of Editorial Cartoons with Locher Fellow Alexandra Bowman, Clay Jones, and Kevin Necessary | 2 pm – 2:45 pm
Editorial cartooning faces an uncertain future. Years of layoffs, an ever-changing media landscape, and political instability have led some to wonder if editorial cartooning is a dying art. But is it dying, or is it ripe for evolution? Join us for an open discussion about
A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant Film Screening and Q&A with director Bill Banowsky, Ann Telnaes, and Rob Rogers | 3 pm – 5 pm
The new documentary explores the life and impact of legendary cartoonist Pat Oliphant. Afterwards, the director, along with Ann Telnaes and Rob Rogers, who appeared in the film, will be on hand for a Q&A.
Dinner | 5 pm – 6:30 pm
On your own.
AAEC Award Ceremony and Reception | 6:30 pm – 8 pm
AAEC President, Marc Murphy: State of the Cartoonists Union Address, followed by awards, fellowship, and all of that.
SPX Ignatz Awards and Reception | 9:30 pm – 10:30 pm
White Oak Room
The Ignatz Award, named for the character in the classic comic strip Krazy Kat by George Herriman, is the festival prize of the Small Press Expo. Since 1997, the Ignatz Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning. The Ignatz recognizes exceptional work that challenges popular notions of what comics can achieve, both as an art form and as a means of personal expression.
Sunday, September 14th
Marriott Hotel
Enjoy SPX sessions today.
