ANNUAL EVENT AND SHOWCASE - 2026

A Transformative Gathering for Artists, Creators & Cultural Leaders

You’ve done the work. You’ve knocked on the doors. This November, gather with us for three days of conversation, creativity, and connection as we rediscover the joy of play and its power to shape culture.

Poster for Wedgwood Circle annual event and showcase, featuring a hand holding a silver theater mask with a smiling face, set against a yellow background with large, stylized text.
An advertisement for Wedgwood Circle featuring a hand holding a gray PlayStation 5 controller against an orange background with large, stylized text. The ad includes a purple circle with the text "Build Something You'd Want to Play" and details about an annual event in Franklin, Tennessee, from November 11-13, 2026.
Poster for Wedgwood Circle's Annual Event & Showcase featuring a vintage film camera held by a hand, with a red ribbon encircling the camera that says 'Play is not a distraction! Its a return.' The event is scheduled for November 11-13, 2026, in Franklin, Tennessee.
Early Bird Pricing →

*Discounted tickets until August 31, 2026

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Three musicians performing on stage with a large backdrop displaying the word 'MOTEX'. The middle musician is a woman wearing a cowboy hat, playing a guitar, and singing into a microphone. The musician on the left is a man wearing a cowboy hat, playi
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Three people talking at a holiday gathering with Christmas decorations and lights in the background.
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Two men sitting next to each other at a panel discussion. The man on the left is speaking into a microphone, gesturing with his hand, and looking engaged. He has dark, curly hair and is wearing a black blazer. The man on the right, with short wavy ha
Two men sitting on stage with a large screen behind them displaying the words 'ABRAHAM ALEXANDER' and a background image of children playing outside.
Three women smiling and taking a selfie together in an indoor setting, with a woman in the background.
A woman with long blonde hair speaking into a microphone during an event, with a man with a bald head and gray beard listening attentively, both seated against a background of brown curtains.
Three women standing close together smiling at the camera in an indoor setting.
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A woman and a man are standing and talking into microphones, while another man is sitting and speaking into a microphone. There are musical instruments and audio equipment in the background. The scene appears to be a discussion or event on a stage wi
A man with gray hair and glasses holding a microphone, speaking in front of an orange velvet curtain.
A group of women and men gathered around tables in a conference room, with one woman and one man standing and fist-bumping near the large projection screen displaying a QR code. The room has large windows, dark curtains, and a decorative ceiling fixt

  • 3

    DAYS IN FRANKLIN, TN

  • 20+

    SPEAKERS AND SHOWCASE ARTISTS

  • 19

    YEAR OF GATHERING

  • 1

    THEME - PLAY

Play is not an escape from meaningful work. It's often where meaningful work begins. When we write, perform, compose, or dream, we rediscover the wonder that fuels creativity.

i.

Recover wonder

When we engage in play, we reconnect with the imaginative spark that first inspired us to create—the place where every story, song, and idea begins.

ii.

Press start

Musicians run through scales before experimenting with chords and progressions. Designers sketch out rough drafts long before sets are built. Writers outline plot points before gamers embark on epic quests. Play is how we learn, discover, and become more fully ourselves.

iii.

A theology of play

Each November, The Wedgwood Circle gathers to explore why play matters—not only to our work, but to our faith, our creativity, and the people we're creating for.

2026 Presenters & Artists

New Speakers Announcing Soon

  • Peter McGowan

    Co-Founder & Chief Storyteller, Storyland Studios; CEO, Ozone Story Tech

    Peter masterplanned Trilith Studios' $300 million creative hub and now leads Ozone Story Tech, pioneering real-time immersive storytelling and AI-powered interactive experiences for clients ranging from Disney to Universal.

  • David Zahl

    Director of Mockingbird Ministries & Editor-in-Chief, Mockingbird

    David founded Mockingbird in 2007 and has grown it into a leading voice on grace and faith in everyday life, authoring books including Seculosity and A Mess of Help.

  • Katy Bowser Hutson

    Writer, Poet & Songwriter

    Katy is a founding member of the children's band Rain for Roots and the author of Now I Lay Me Down to Fight, as well as coauthor of Little Prayers for Ordinary Days.

  • Jenova Chen

    Co-Founder & Creative Director, Thatgamecompany

    Jenova is the creative force behind the award-winning games Journey, Flower, and Sky: Children of the Light, celebrated for pioneering emotionally resonant, artful interactive experiences.

  • Andy Patton

    Director of Operations, The Rabbit Room

    Andy is a writer and game designer who, after years serving at L'Abri in England, now brings direction and organization to The Rabbit Room's mission of cultivating story, music, and art for Christ-centered communities.

  • Ron Newcomb

    Founder, The Indie Coach

    Ron draws on 27+ years and 100+ filmmakers coached to help independent filmmakers build investor-ready funding strategies, hosting the VIP Film & TV Summit and releasing his upcoming book Hollywood Outsider in Fall 2026.

  • Dan Hernberg

    Vice President & Executive Producer, CD PROJEKT RED

    Dan has produced major titles including New World at Amazon Games, Apex Legends at Panic Button, and Diablo III at Blizzard Entertainment, and is now leading production on the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel.

  • John Shen Yen Nee

    Author & Media Executive

    John is the author of The Murder of Mr. Ma and The Railway Conspiracy, following a career that includes serving as president of WildStorm Productions and senior vice president of DC Comics.

THE INVITATION

Each November, the Wedgwood Circle gathers as a creative community — to invest in each other, to remind ourselves why we play, and to celebrate who we're playing for. Join us at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee as we press play.

— The Wedgwood Circle

Wednesday
November 11, 2026

Day One

Inner Circle Lunch & Meeting *Invite Only

12PM to 3PM
The Harpeth Hotel


Opening Reception & Dinner

5PM to 7:30PM
The Harpeth Hotel


Special Event

8:00PM to 10:00PM
The Franklin Theater


After Event Party*Invitation Only

10:00PM to Midnight
Franklin Social

Group of women at the Wedgwood Circle Annual Event, engaging in conversation, sitting and standing around a round table with drinks and snacks in a banquet hall, with a large screen displaying a QR code and the message 'Get connected'.

Event Schedule

All times listed are Central Time (U.S).

Thursday
November 12, 2026

Day Two

Opening Session

9AM to NOON
The Turner Theater at The Factory

Free Time | Lunch

NOON to 2PM
The Factory

Afternoon Sessions & Breakout Groups

2PM to 5PM
Various Locations at The Factory

Dinner

6PM to 7:30PM
Various Locations at The Factory

Wedgwood Showcases

8PM to Midnight
Various Locations at The Factory

Friday
November 13, 2026

Day Three

Breakfast

7:30AM to 9:30AM
The Harpeth Hotel

Closing Session

10AM to 1PM
The Franklin Theater

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A detailed schedule, including speakers, showcase participants, times, and locations, will be released closer to the Gathering. Registered attendees will receive updates by email as new programming is announced.

  • No… although ticket availability may vary by membership and event programming. Most programming is open to all registered attendees, while select gatherings are reserved for Patron Members, or invited guests. We encourage you to join as a Patron Member in order to get the full benefits (including one complimentary all-access pass), but, you can buy an All-Access Pass without becoming a Patron Member. Creator Level Members get a significant discount. This discount is intended for artists, and requires you becoming a Creator Level Member before purchasing your discounted pass.

  • Tickets are nonrefundable, but we understand that plans can change. If you are no longer able to attend, please contact us to discuss transferring your registration to another guest.

  • Yes. Ticket transfers may be permitted prior to the event. Contact the Wedgwood team with the original attendee’s information and the name and email address of the new guest.

  • Group options may be available for organizations bringing multiple attendees. Contact the Wedgwood team with your anticipated group size to learn more.

  • The 2026 Wedgwood Annual Gathering will take place November 11–13 in Franklin, Tennessee. Programming will be held primarily at The Harpeth Hotel, The Franklin Theater and The Factory at Franklin, as well as additional locations in Franklin. Specific locations will be included in the final schedule.

  • Wednesday:  The Opening Reception and Dinner and Wednesday Night's Special Event at The Franklin Theater

    Thursday:  The Opening Session, Afternoon Breakouts, Dinner and Wedgwood's Evening Showcases

    Friday:  Breakfast and The Closing Session

    *Inner Circle-only experiences and hotel accommodations may require a specific ticket level or separate purchase.

  • Wednesday: Opening Reception & Dinner (multiple locations)

    Thursday:  Dinner (multiple locations)  |  There will be a lunch break from NOON to 2PM where we encourage people to grab lunch, on their own, onsite at The Factory with other attendees

    Friday:  Breakfast

    Additional food and beverage details will be shared before the event.

  • Hotel accommodations are not included with your Annual Event pass.

    Patron-level members: Please contact terence@wedgwoodcircle.com to learn about available hotel options.

    For all other attendees, we recommend the Hyatt House Nashville/Franklin–Cool Springs, located just minutes from the event and popular with many Wedgwood guests. We encourage you to reserve your room soon.

    Reserve Your Room at Hyatt House

  • We welcome partnerships with companies and organizations that share Wedgwood’s commitment to championing the good, true, and beautiful. Contact our team to learn about sponsorship opportunities and custom partnership options.

Early Bird Pricing →

Register by August 31, 2026, to take advantage of early bird pricing.

Patron Members receive one complimentary pass, while Creator Members receive 50% off. Check your email for your exclusive code, or email us at contact@wedgwoodcircle.com.

  • A man with gray hair in a blue sweater and beige pants poses sitting on a bench against a plain, neutral background.

    “Wedgwood is an oasis for artists who don’t often feel seen or supported.”

    — Ben Howard, Sector Advisor

  • A woman with short blonde hair, wearing an orange sleeveless top and beige pants, sitting on a cushioned bench, reading a book in a bright room with sunlight casting shadows on the wall, large green plant on the left, and wooden panel decor.

    “We were able to name a critical funding need in the room, and a family stepped forward as a result.”

    — Brock Starnes, The Wingfeather Saga / Animation

  • A woman sitting on a beige cushioned bench, holding a notebook and pen, with a wooden slat wall behind her and a framed abstract artwork leaning against the wall.

    “Quit screaming at the darkness and come help us make some light.”

    — Charlie Peacock, Grammy-Winning Producer