Phoenix Tentative Schedule
Thursday February 12
6-8 pm Early Attendee Registration at the Registration Desk in the Convention Center. This is an opportunity to pick up your lanyards, totes, water bottles, and autograph journals early.
630-930 pm Author Registration and Setup in the Media Room
6-8 pm Vendor Shopping and Preorder Pickup in the Cira Ballroom
Friday February 13
Registration 8-11am and 1-6pm at the Registration Desk
9 am-12 pm, Authors: Additional Registration and Setup time Media Room.
9-10 am Attendees/Authors. Event Orientation, Welcome. Solana ballrooms.
Panels 10 am-12 pm in Solana-refer to the panel schedule. Panels are open to everyone, but keep in mind that some of the panels may reach capacity. We recommend having a second choice in case your first choice fills up. There will be 3 panels running concurrently during panel times.
9 am-12 pm Vendor Shopping in Cira
12 pm-1 pm Lunch break on your own for VIPS, 12-2 pm for GA’s for restaurant in the surrounding Westgate Entertainment complex, visit https://westgateaz.com/
1-2 pm VIPs lineup in the convention center hallway. There is no reason to lineup any earlier. You will line up following the color number order on your badge.
2 pm the signing session begins. VIPs may enter the Media Room.
2-3 pm GAs lineup. There is no reason to lineup any earlier. You will line up following the color number order on your badge.
3 pm GAs may enter the Media Room.
6 pm the signing session ends.
6-8 pm Dinner break on your own for everyone. For restaurant listings, visit https://westgateaz.com/
8-10 pm Valentine’s Day Party. Theme TBA. Solana Ballroom. DJ, Dancing, Desserts, free swag at each place setting. Centerpieces may be taken home after 10pm. There will be a a cash bar that takes cash and credit cards.
Featured cocktail is:
Be Mine Cocktail: Strawberry Lemonade
2 oz Pink Lemonade
1 oz Vodka
Splash of club soda
Strawberry Slice as garnish
Dressing to the theme is encouraged. A prize for the best dressed solo or group will be a GA ticket to the 2027 New Orleans event! There will be a 2027 New Orleans VIP ticket awarded to the attendee winner of the mixer contest AND a free New Orleans table going to the author winner of the mixer contest. The contest involves collecting signatures from other partygoers.
Saturday February 14
Registration 8-11am and 1-6pm at the Registration Desk
Panels 9 am-12 pm in Solana-refer to the panel schedule. Panels are open to everyone, but keep in mind that some of the panels may reach capacity. We recommend having a second choice in case your first choice fills up. There will be 3 panels running concurrently during panel times.
9 am-12 pm Vendor Shopping in Cira.
12pm-1 pm Lunch break on your own for VIPS, 12-2 pm for GA’s. For restaurant listings, visit https://westgateaz.com/
1-2 pm VIPs lineup in the convention center hallway. There is no reason to lineup any earlier. You will line up following the color number order on your badge.
2 pm the signing session begins. VIPs may enter the Media Room.
2-3 pm GAs lineup. There is no reason to lineup any earlier. You will line up following the color number order on your badge.
3 pm GAs may enter the Media Room.
6pm the signing session ends.
6-8 pm Dinner break on your own for everyone. For restaurant listings, visit https://westgateaz.com/
8-10 pm Party in the Solana Ballroom. Theme TBA. DJ, Dancing, Desserts, free swag at each place setting for everyone. Centerpieces may be taken home after 10pm. The cash bar takes cash and credit cards.
Featured cocktail is:
Featured Cocktail: Paloma
2 oz Tequila
4 oz Grapefruit juice or Soda
Lime wedge with edible glitter
Dressing to the theme is encouraged. A prize for the best dressed solo or group will be a GA ticket to the 2027 New Orleans event!
Sunday, February 15
11am-1pm, a Come and Go Post Book Con Mixer at Barnes and Noble Tempe, 2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy #1032, Tempe, AZ with the Wild and Windy Crew providing pink cupcakes and sparkling pink beverage, available while supplies last. It’s possible that a Wild and Windy West author or authors might appear.
Gold (VIP) and Pink (GA) Tickets for 2026 go on sale April 4th at 7pm central.