Below is the schedule for the 2026 AAEC convention in Sacramento, Calif. All times are Pacific.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17
5:00 p.m. — 6:30 p.m.: Swag Bag Grab and Check In
Location: Citizen Hotel (926 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814)
7:00 p.m. — Welcome Dinner
Location: Zelda’s Original Gourmet Pizza (1415 21st St., Sacramento, CA 95811; 26 min walk from Citizen Hotel)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18
Location: Sacramento Central Library (828 I St., Sacramento, CA 95814; 4 min walk from Citizen Hotel). All of the day’s events will be at the Library unless otherwise noted
8:30 a.m. — Conference Check-in
9:00 a.m. — 2026 Convention Welcome
Speaker: Marc Murphy, AAEC President
9:05 a.m. — Life After Armageddon
A facilitated conversation about how members are surviving in these troubled times.
Moderator: David Horsey
10:00 a.m. — Rising to the Challenge
Cartoonists have plied their craft despite Tourette’s Syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and the latent effects of bar fights. Clay Jones’s 2025 stroke is just the latest example. Clay will discuss the support he received from his colleagues and fans and how he has adapted to the physical limitations of producing his art every day. Although Clay is featured, this will be an opportunity for open discussion.
Moderator: Clay Jones
11:00 a.m. — Toon Talks
Chip Bok updates us on the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and on facing the wrath of a disgruntled publisher; Steve Artley on retiring for the umpteenth time and no longer having to deal with disgruntled publishers; and an opportunity for new AAEC members to introduce themselves.
Speakers: Chip Bok, Steve Artley
12:15 p.m. — Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m. — AAEC Business Meeting
AAEC President Marc Murphy will lead a discussion on the future of the association. Members who can’t attend the conference will be able to join the meeting virtually via Zoom. The AAEC Board of Directors asks that non-members attending the meeting, whether in person or virtually, refrain from voting.
5:00 p.m. — Unhosted Happy Hour
Location: TBD
6:00 p.m. — Dinner on your own
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19
Location: Sacramento Central Library (unless otherwise noted)
9:30 a.m. — Featured Artist: All the way from the Loon Star State, Ben Sargent: Ben ostensibly retired in 2009, after a 35-year career with the Austin American-Statesman, but still keeps his finger on the nation’s pulse as a contributor to The Texas Observer. Ben was born in Amarillo into a newspaper family, learned the printing trade from age 12, started working for the local daily as a proof runner at 14, and subsequently accumulated a variety of awards for his inking, including the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1982.
Speaker: Ben Sargent
10:45 a.m. — AI, AI, OH!
Artificial Intelligence isn’t new; it’s been inside your digital drawing pad for years. But the emergence of “generative AI” [ChatGPT, et al] has brought major challenges to personal privacy, copyright, and outright theft of artists’ work. We will discuss those issues but also discuss how AI can help protect the rights and livelihoods of the people who make the work that makes AI work.
Speaker: Mark Fiore
Moderator: Scott Burns, AAEC Parliamentarian
12:00 p.m. — Lunch on your own
1:15 p.m. — Featured Artist: Lalo Alcaraz
Creator of “La Cucaracha’, the first nationally syndicated Latino political comic strip, and the 2025 winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award, and the 2022 Herblock Prize. Lalo’s iconic painting ‘Summer of ICE,’ went viral last summer. Refreshing cartoon paletas for everyone- except ICE!
Speaker: Lalo Alcaraz
2:00 p.m. — A Conversation with Ann Telnaes
Editorial cartoons do more than comment on history. They become part of it, often serving as a “canary in the coal mine” for threats to a free press, freedom of expression, and the open exchange of ideas. Today’s cartoonists are confronted with corporate self-censorship, layoffs, online harassment, and physical threats. Ann Telnaes has not been intimidated. “We might be wearing the metaphorical funny hat, but we take our jobs as journalists very seriously.”
Speaker: Ann Telnaes
Moderator: Jenny Robb
3:15 p.m. — Anger Management: The Power of Art to Inspire
“Irreverence is the champion of liberty and its only sure defense.” – Mark Twain, Notebook, 1888
Moderator: Jack Ohman
Panelists: Steve Brodner, Joel Pett, Ann Telnaes
4:25 p.m. 2026 Convention Closing Remarks
Speaker: Marc Murphy, President AAEC
6:00 p.m. — Awards Reception
Members and invited guests only. Beer, wine, and heavy hors d’oevres will be served.
Presenters: Marc Murphy, AAEC President, Joel Pett
Location: Sacramento History Museum (101 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814; estimated 14 minute walk from the Sacramento Central Library)
8:00 p.m. Dinner and drinks on your own
SUNDAY, SEPT. 20
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. — Crocker Con
An annual free family festival devoted to comics and cartoon art. There will be approximately 60 exhibitors, 7,000+ kids and adults. AAEC has been invited to participate and will offer two public sessions.
Location: Crocker Art Museum (216 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; a 23 minute walk from the Citizen Hotel)
12:00 p.m. — Cartoonist in Conversation (Crocker Con)
In collaboration with the AAEC, this open panel discussion welcomes distinguished editorial cartoonists while sharing looks at the future of political cartooning and the important role editorial cartoonists and their commentary plays in art, culture, and politics.
Speakers: Joel Pett and Lalo Alcaraz
Moderator: Jack Ohman
2:30 p.m. — Live Drawing with Jack Ohman (Crocker Con)
The AAEC presents 2026 Herblock Award winner and Pulitzer Prize–winning editorial cartoonist Jack Ohman for a live demonstration of his drawing techniques as he creates cartoons live before your very eyes!
