5 Last-Minute Things to Help You Prep for the 2026 ASJA Conference - And 2 You Can Do If You're Not Attending

The 2026 ASJA conference Freelancers’ Blueprint: Navigating a Shifting Landscape, April 20-24 is almost here. If you’re attending, we’re thrilled you’re joining us! If you haven’t started to get ready, keep reading for last-minutes tips.

If you’re not attending, keep reading to the end to see how you can follow along.

Still on the fence? Registration is open through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time today, Friday, April 17. The conference begins on Monday, April 20, with “doors” to the virtual conference space on Airmeet opening at 8 a.m. ET, and keynotes and sessions beginning at 11 a.m. ET. Get more details here.

Last-Minute Tips for the 2026 ASJA Conference

1. Have a plan. Scan the conference schedule in advance to identify sessions you want to attend. If you’re registered, you’ve received an email from the Airmeet with a link you can use to open the platform on your browser. Use it to look around. Use Airmeet’s bookmark feature to save sessions to attend and it automatically email you a reminder of the day and time, so you can put it on your calendar.

Read session descriptions to see if any have editors or experts you want to hear or possibly approach after their sessions at a “Continue the Conversation” table in the Writer’s Lounge. You can’t pass out business cards at a virtual conference, but you can fill out your profile on the Airmeet platform. Add a description of what you do, interests, headshot, and social media presence. If you’re really feeling ambitious, update your LinkedIn profile or online presence so anyone who clicks through to your profile sees your latest clips.

2. Go to the slams. Even if you didn’t sign up to present, you can learn from attending the book and journalism pitch slams. Sitting in on a slam is a great way to learn how other writers handle presenting an idea under pressure. If you warm up to the idea, some slams may have openings if people who signed up end up not pitching. The books pitch slam is Tuesday, April 21, 3-3:50 p.m. ET. The journalism pitch slam is Wednesday, April 22, 4:15-5:05 p.m. ET.

3. Watch a recording of the Client Connections 2026 prep session. Make the most of the Client Connections meetings you scored by preparing in advance. If you didn’t attend the April 14 prep session, watch a recording of the one-hour tutorial here. In the 58-minute session recording, Client Connections 2026 co-chairs Cari Shane, Richard Eisenberg, and KJ Bannan discuss how to prepare for meetings with prospective clients, and answer related questions. ASJA professional members who participated in the Client Connections lottery should be notified of their client meetings on April 17; if you don’t see the email, check your spam folder. If you still don’t see it, contact the office, asjaoffice@asja.org.

4. Don’t be shy. The Airmeet platform makes it easy to connect with people before, during, and after conference sessions. During sessions, use the chat feature to ask questions to share comments with fellow attendees. The event officially goes live at 8 a.m. ET on Monday, April 20, with access to the Writers’ Lounge and Booths before the opening session begins at 11 am ET. The Writer’s Lounge will be buzzing with meet-ups, conversations, and virtual tables throughout the event – perfect for networking, reconnecting, and discovering more about the ASJA community.

5. Sign up for free coaching. A new feature of this year’s conference is the Coaching Corner booth. On April 23–24 from 12-1 p.m. ET sign up for free, 10-minute coaching sessions with one of 6 experienced writing coaches. Ask questions or get insights on writing, pitching, career direction, and running a freelance business. Space is limited, so early access is your friend.

Get the Most From the Conference Even if You’re Not Attending

6. Follow conference posts on social media. If this conference is anything like the organization’s previous annual meetups, you can expect attendees to share what they’re learning in real time on popular social media channels, including on the members-only ASJA Facebook page, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Bluesky. Search for “ASJA conference” or the hashtag #ASJACon2026.

7. Read the recaps. The ASJA publications committee volunteers and other attendees will publish highlights from keynotes and other sessions at the end of each day of the conference on the ASJA Confidential blog.