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2026 Wyoming Library Association Conference
Wednesday, September 30
 

12:30pm MDT

Wyoming Civic Legacy Trolley Tour
Wednesday September 30, 2026 12:30pm - 4:00pm MDT
The Wyoming Civic Legacy Trolley Tour takes you on a fascinating ride through Cheyenne’s most vital public institutions: The Wyoming Law Library, The Wyoming State Library, and the Wyoming State Archives. 
Wednesday September 30, 2026 12:30pm - 4:00pm MDT
Meet near the registration table

1:00pm MDT

Change-Making Fundamentals - Building Positive Change for a Better Wyoming
Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
In the world of organizing for change, a common saying holds that it's not rocket science...but it's not intuitive either. Anyone can organize well, enabling them to create change in Wyoming. But not many people do. This session will explore the three powerful concepts that form the foundation of any successful change-making effort: building power, organizing versus mobilizing, and public...
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Speakers
DG

Daniel Galbreath

Field Organizer, Better Wyoming
Daniel Galbreath, PhD, is a community organizer and communications professional based in Cheyenne. As a member of the Better Wyoming team, he has led successful narrative campaigns around issues with statewide impact, and built active organizing chapters across the state. He draws... Read More →
Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Wyoming Room A

2:30pm MDT

Book Talk & Swap
Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm MDT
Bring some gently used books you would like to give away. We will have a time to booktalk and share these books. The goal is to let go of some books we have already finished and take home another gem for our TBR! This is the fun part of Librarianship, right?
Speakers
avatar for Jennisen Lucas

Jennisen Lucas

District Librarian, Park County School District
Jennisen has been a school librarian for 24 years, but has worked in all types of libraries for 38. She is a past chair of the School Library Interest Group, and served as AASL President from 2021-2022.
Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm MDT
Sheridan Room

3:00pm MDT

Scene It and Stress Testing Your Library
Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Last conference’s scenario activity was well-received, so Wyoming's Law for Librarians presenters are back with more scenarios – and another presenter! We’ll combine Director-vetted “what if?” moments with information from the Law for Librarians training program to help you prepare for tough conversations about intellectual freedom, privacy, and other tricky topics. Participants will...
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Speakers
Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Wyoming Room A

3:00pm MDT

The Wellbeing Workshop: A Hands-On Lab for the Art of Journaling
Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Join me for an interactive lab focused on the experience of journaling! Whether you’re a lifelong journaler or haven’t picked up a pen in years, this session offers a restful space to experiment with new wellness habits. We’ll go over how research shows regular journaling is linked to both short-term and long-term benefits on physical and emotional health, including boosted immunity, blood...
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Speakers
avatar for Jessica Otto

Jessica Otto

Research and Statistics Consultant, Wyoming State Library
Jessica’s time at the WSL working with national-level data peers has driven her passion for highlighting the impact of libraries and the communities they serve.
Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Sheridan Room
 
Thursday, October 1
 

8:00am MDT

Library Awards Reception Breakfast
Thursday October 1, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Join us for breakfast as we announce the recipient's of this year's library awards!
Thursday October 1, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Wyoming Room C/D

9:30am MDT

From Cast On to Community: A Practical Knitting Program Model for Libraries
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
This practical session shares a proven, replicable model for offering knitting programs in libraries using two complementary formats: a structured Introduction to Knitting class and a supportive drop‑in skill‑building session. Attendees will learn how to plan and execute each format—from advanced planning through day‑of facilitation—while welcoming a wide range of skill levels and...
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Speakers
GD

Geralyn Dyson

Adult Services Event Coordinator, Laramie County Library System
Geralyn Dyson coordinates adult programs at the Laramie County Library System, with over two years of event coordination experience and nearly a decade of knitting instruction.
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
Wyoming Room B

9:30am MDT

GoWYLD 2026: A Comprehensive Guide to New Tools and Statewide Resources
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
Join Paige Bredenkamp, eresources & School Library Consultant at the Wyoming State Library, for a “tour de force” of the GoWYLD resources. You’ll hear about updates and enhancements to the eresources available. Come with questions and ideas and learn how you can use these in with your students and patrons.
Speakers
avatar for Paige Bredenkamp

Paige Bredenkamp

School Library & eresources Librarian, Wyoming State Library
Paige Bredenkamp has been working with GoWYLD resources for over 10 years. Prior to that she was a school librarian and middle school English teacher.
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
Yellowstone Room

9:30am MDT

Helping Libraries Thrive: Grant Opportunities & Grant Writing Basics
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
In this session, attendees will hear from Wyoming Community Foundation staff about grant opportunities available to libraries across the state, including the Competitive Grant Cycle and Continuing Staff Education (CSE) grants through the WYCF McMurry Library Fund. Alongside an overview of available funding opportunities, attendees will also receive practical Grant Writing 101 guidance designed to...
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Speakers
avatar for Ben Kinion

Ben Kinion

Scholarship and Grants Coordinator, Wyoming Community Foundation
Ben works at the Wyoming community Foundation as a Scholarship and Grant Coordinator. He also attends the University of Wyoming, where he is pursuing his Masters in Public Administration with a focus in nonprofit management
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
Sheridan Room

9:30am MDT

Program in a Box!
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
"Program-in-a-Box" is a turnkey solution for library events. Each kit acts as a complete, pre-packaged toolkit containing both the plan and the materials needed to run an activity. Essentially, they remove the prep work: instead of spending hours researching and shopping, staff can simply open a box and begin a high-quality session. They are designed to be "plug-and-play," ensuring that even a...
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Speakers
avatar for Joanne Pruitt

Joanne Pruitt

Youth Services Consultant, Wyoming State Library
Youth Services Librarian and former teacher "booked" for life. Between co-hosting the PB&J webinar and writing The WY-YS Librarian Lowdown eNewsletter, I stay busy crafting youth-minded resources for librarians across Wyoming!
AF

April Freeman

Youth Services Librarian, Albany County Library
April Freeman is the Youth Services Librarian at Albany County Library. A storytime enthusiast, she focuses on building community and connecting local kids with great books.
AC

Angel Capone Evans

Youth Services Specialist, Natrona County Library
With 18 years at Natrona County Library, Angel Capone Evans leads youth programs and storytimes, sparking curiosity and a love for literacy in the community.
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
Wyoming Room A

10:30am MDT

Vendor Hall Grand Opening!
Thursday October 1, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Get your badges scanned and pick up fun swag!
Thursday October 1, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Grand Ballroom

11:30am MDT

WLA Business Meeting & Keynote Luncheon: Mandy Fabel
Thursday October 1, 2026 11:30am - 1:30pm MDT
Living with Paradox
Are libraries antiquated or quietly on the cutting edge? Are you doing meaningful, transformative work while struggling to measure impact? Do you want your library to build a lasting legacy, yet sometimes feel overlooked or invisible? This talk will explore the paradoxes at the heart of library leadership and how to address them in your own library. 

Speakers
MF

Mandy Fabel

Mandy Fabel is the Executive Director of Leadership Wyoming, a prominent leadership development program in the state. She lives in Lander, Wyoming and enjoys spending time in the mountains to hike, rock climb, mountain bike, hunt, and snowmobile. On weekends you will find her chasing... Read More →
Thursday October 1, 2026 11:30am - 1:30pm MDT
Wyoming Room C/D

2:00pm MDT

Destination Imagination: Creative Problem Solving Programming at Your Library
Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Destination Imagination® (DI) is a global, volunteer-led nonprofit organization that encourages student participants to work together to solve open-ended challenges using storytelling, engineering, improvisation, art and critical thinking. Destination Imagination is a strong fit for library programming because it is inclusive, low-budget and encourages hands-on learning for a wide range of ages...
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Speakers
SB

Stephanie Birr

Youth Services Specialist (applying as a board member of Destination Imagination), Campbell County Public Library (applying on behalf of WACY-Wyoming Association of Creative Youth)
Stephanie Birr is a Youth Services Specialist at the Campbell County Public Library. She participated in Destination Imagination as a student and loves promoting it.
Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Sheridan Room

2:00pm MDT

The Library of Congress Has Something for You
Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Please take this opportunity to learn all about the Library of Congress (LOC) and how it can help us and our patrons thrive! The presentation begins with a quick history lesson on the LOC and the role it plays in the United States. The bulk of the presentation showcases helpful resources and trainings offered by the LOC that library workers in Wyoming can utilize to make their work a little...
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Speakers
LM

Linann McDonald

Lead Cataloger, Natrona County Library
My name is Linann McDonald and I live in Casper. I enjoy reading, watching movies and listening to music. Occasionally I go outside too!
Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Yellowstone Room

2:00pm MDT

Toolkit to Thrive: Translating Library Statistics for Community Support
Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Last year, we unlocked the secret to making library data less boring and more joyful. This year, let’s put those numbers to work! Information enthusiasts know statistics aren’t just lists or numbers, they’re stories waiting for their time to shine. We’ll deep-dive into the practice of "data translation,” explore how to pair hard metrics (like circulation and door counts) with compelling...
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Speakers
avatar for Jessica Otto

Jessica Otto

Research and Statistics Consultant, Wyoming State Library
Jessica’s time at the WSL working with national-level data peers has driven her passion for highlighting the impact of libraries and the communities they serve.
Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Wyoming Room A

2:00pm MDT

WYZE: Building a Statewide Zine Exchange Through Wyoming Libraries (Part 1)
Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
WYZE (Wyoming Zine Exchange) is a new statewide project inviting people across Wyoming to share pieces of everyday life through zines. Centered in libraries and community spaces, the project aims to build a recurring statewide exchange and archive that captures the textures of living here, from small-town routines and local traditions to quiet moments that might otherwise go undocumented. This...
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Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Wyoming Room B

3:00pm MDT

Creating a Zine Community at University of Wyoming (Part 2)
Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Over the past two years, the University of Wyoming Libraries has seen a growing interest in zines that helped transform a small collection into an active, collaborative creative community. Built alongside students through workshops, internships, exhibits, classroom partnerships, public events, and low-barrier programming, the project tapped into a broader desire for connection, creativity, and...
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Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Wyoming Room B

3:00pm MDT

Library Shark Tank
Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Library Shark Tank is an interactive, game show–style session designed to showcase innovative, low-cost programming ideas while fostering collaboration across Wyoming libraries of all types and sizes. Participants will experience firsthand how collective creativity, supportive leadership, and shared resources can strengthen communities statewide. This session emphasizes that impactful ideas...
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Speakers
LS

Lisa Scroggins

Executive Director, Natrona County Library
Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Sheridan Room

3:00pm MDT

So You Think You Can Overdrive
Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
We will talk about how to use the lending models to stretch your budget, how to set up your patron interest manager and smart lists, managing pre-order titles, maintaining the statewide holds list, how to deal with expired metered access titles with holds, finding and ordering items with high interest from your own patrons, and more.
Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Wyoming Room A

3:00pm MDT

Sorry, It's the Burnout
Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Digest current research on burnout in service professionals, assess official advice to avoid, mitigate, and recover, and crowdsource peer anecdotes, practical tips, and support.
Speakers
MC

Micah Copeland

Adult Services Specialist, Laramie County Library System
Micah has two degrees in psychology, and will one day get a third, and is professionally and academically familiar with burnout among public service workers.
Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Yellowstone Room

5:30pm MDT

Mix & Mingle, a WLLI-sponsored event
Thursday October 1, 2026 5:30pm - 7:30pm MDT
Attendees will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with colleagues, as the upstairs area at The Railspur offers a variety of seating arrangements.
Thursday October 1, 2026 5:30pm - 7:30pm MDT
TBA
 
Friday, October 2
 

8:00am MDT

PIG-Programming Interest Group Meeting
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Wyoming Room B

8:00am MDT

SLIG-School Libraries Interest Group Meeting
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Yellowstone Room

8:00am MDT

Vendor Time
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Get your badges scanned and pick up fun swag!
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Grand Ballroom

8:00am MDT

WLLI/LEAD Interest Group Meeting
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Wyoming Room A

8:00am MDT

YSIG-Youth Services Interest Group Meeting
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Sheridan Room

9:00am MDT

Early Literacy in the Library
Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Our early literacy program is grounded in the pillars of Every Child Ready to Read and extends learning beyond Early Literacy Classes by offering a fun, interactive Stay & Play experience. We also offer Tips & Tricks for Toddlers, a monthly support and learning opportunity for caregivers of infants and toddlers. We’ll be talking about the programs, how we built them and why they’re important!
Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Yellowstone Room

9:00am MDT

Thriving, not just Surviving in Times of Change
Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Library work is constantly evolving, often in response to external forces. This presentation will discuss practical strategies that Collections library staff implemented to mitigate turnover and loss of institutional knowledge in an academic library. In this session, we’ll share our lessons learned from this experience and why they are relevant to different library types. We’ll outline three...
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Speakers
AB

Amanda Bugbee

Discovery Librarian, University of Wyoming
Amanda is the Discovery Librarian at the University of Wyoming Libraries. In this role, she manages, configures, and coordinates the Libraries' discovery platforms.
AL

Amber Lotspeich

University of Wyoming Libraries, University of Wyoming
Amber is the Electronic Resources Librarian at the University of Wyoming Libraries. She provides leadership for the lifecycle of the libraries’ electronic resources.
avatar for Sarah Rhodes

Sarah Rhodes

Supervisor, Library Services, University of Wyoming Libraries
Sarah is a supervisor at the University of Wyoming Libraries. She manages the Libraries’ journal, serial, and newspaper subscriptions and workflows.
Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Wyoming Room A

9:00am MDT

Wanna See Some Sheet?
Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
This program is designed for those who use spreadsheets but want to move beyond basic usage. Guided by the idea that '90% of the value comes from 10% of the features,' we will explore how simple tools like tables, conditional formatting (and a few formulas) can transform your workflow. Using real-world examples that I/we use at our library ranging from Daily Task trackers, a perpetual shelf...
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Speakers
SM

Samuel Mutch

Adult Services Ref/Tech Specialist, Albany County Library
My main role is reference and technology support, but I was told that it is impossible to describe how weird I am in 25 words.
Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Wyoming Room B

9:00am MDT

Wyoming Summer Reading: Thriving Together by the Numbers
Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Explore how Wyoming’s summer reading data fuels statewide success. We’ll analyze recent survey results to identify trends, celebrate collective triumphs, and share actionable insights. Discover how regional collaboration and data-driven decisions empower our libraries to move beyond individual efforts and truly thrive together for our communities.
Speakers
avatar for Joanne Pruitt

Joanne Pruitt

Youth Services Consultant, Wyoming State Library
Youth Services Librarian and former teacher "booked" for life. Between co-hosting the PB&J webinar and writing The WY-YS Librarian Lowdown eNewsletter, I stay busy crafting youth-minded resources for librarians across Wyoming!
Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Sheridan Room

9:50am MDT

PATHS Libraries Meet-up & Information Share with WY Telehealth Network
Friday October 2, 2026 9:50am - 10:30am MDT
Join the Wyoming Telehealth Network for a casual breakout session on Public Access TeleHealth Spaces (PATHS)! We'll share some recent program updates and discuss future opportunities to strengthen and expand community-based healthcare in Wyoming. Whether you're a seasoned PATHS veteran or are interested in learning more about telehealth access points, please stop by and join the conversation!
Friday October 2, 2026 9:50am - 10:30am MDT
Wyoming Room C/D

10:30am MDT

Friendship, Stories, and Stuffies, Oh My! (Collaboration Between School and Public Libraries)
Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
Looking for ideas to start collaborations with your school and/ or public library? Start by getting to know your Partner-in-Storytime! This session will share how the Cody Partnership started, grew, and developed into some seriously fun times!
Speakers
avatar for Jennisen Lucas

Jennisen Lucas

District Librarian, Park County School District
Jennisen has been a school librarian for 24 years, but has worked in all types of libraries for 38. She is a past chair of the School Library Interest Group, and served as AASL President from 2021-2022.
Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
Yellowstone Room

10:30am MDT

Nontraditional Pathways to Librarianship
Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
In many rural libraries, staff are hired directly from the community and may not have prior library experience or formal training. If that sounds like you, have you ever wondered where to go from here? Whether you’re interested in pursuing a library degree or are simply looking for ways to strengthen your resume and expand your opportunities, this session is designed with you in mind. We’ll...
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Speakers
avatar for Judi Boyce

Judi Boyce

Assistant Director, Sublette County Library
Judi is presenting from experience in this session. She began her library career as a part-time circulation staff member, was hired full-time a year later as the adult programmer, and worked very deliberately to put herself in a position to be hired as Assistant Director, including... Read More →
Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
Sheridan Room

10:30am MDT

Vision Outreach Services--Talking Books and More
Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
Brenda Ariosto, Administrative Assistant - Vision Outreach Services for Wyoming Department of Education, and Krisene Watson, Outreach Services Manager at Campbell County Public Library, will partner to share what resources are available for patrons that are unable to read regular print material due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities.
Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
Wyoming Room B

10:30am MDT

Wyoming Digital Newspaper Collection for your Library and your Users
Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
The Wyoming Digital Newspaper Collection at https://wyomingnewspapers.org has grown to nearly 6 million pages of content and will continue to grow. Come learn how best to use it for your local community, learn tips and tricks, as well as new information about upcoming work.
Speakers
avatar for Chad Hutchens

Chad Hutchens

Chair, Digital & Disctinctive Collections, University of Wyoming Libraries
Chad Hutchens is the Chair of Digital and Distinctive Collections at the UW Libraries. He is also the main coordinator and contact for the Wyoming Digital Newspaper Collection. He has been a professional academic librarian since 2004.
Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
Wyoming Room A

11:30am MDT

From the Stacks to the Streets: Let's Advocate for Libraries!
Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Learn how to help with WLA's advocacy efforts. This session, hosted by the WLA Legislative Committee, will cover what's upcoming for library advocacy, library-related legislation, and the upcoming election. Learn about how the People's Initiative ballot measure will impact our libraries. As time allows, this session will offer practical strategies for communicating impact, building community...
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Speakers
Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Wyoming Room A

11:30am MDT

Speed Networking
Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
I would like to set up a time for people from around the State to interact with each other and get to know one another. In Wyoming it is often times hard to put names and faces together. I would provide some set questions for people to move from table to table and learn about each other. https://www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/speed-networking
Speakers
LS

Lori Sponhour

Cataloging Services Supervisor, Laramie County Library System
I have worked at the Laramie county Library for almost 25 years. I have worked in a variety of areas including Reference, Circulation, and Cataloging. This make me a Jill of all trades, so I am able to step in where needed. I have lived in Cheyenne for 26 years, grew up in Texas... Read More →
Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Yellowstone Room

11:30am MDT

The Crafty Librarian's Guide to Book Yoga and Spine Surgery: Book Repair for Beginners
Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
We've all got our 2009 Nora Roberts mass markets that are too old to replace; our Dogman Comics that we just bought this year that are already so grubby; our brand-new photographic cook books that already feel loose in the spine. And whether it be budgets, time, or a long holds list, reordering isn't always possible. From prevention to complete reassembly, we'll show you basic types of repair to...
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Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Sheridan Room

12:30pm MDT

Author Luncheon: Brandon Mull
Friday October 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm MDT
The Truth Inside the Lie: How we can use fantasy to accomplish real goals and say true things.
Speakers
BM

Brandon Mull

Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Guardians, Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Beyonders, Candy Shop War, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little... Read More →
Friday October 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm MDT
Wyoming Room C/D
 
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