# World IA Day 2026

## Global theme: Designing for Meaning

**Purpose, Experience, and Everything in Between**

Information architects design for meaning in everything we create. We intentionally shape how people understand and navigate systems, ensuring our structures create meaningful experiences rather than confusion.

Meaning is what transforms data into knowledge. It helps people make sense of complexity and find what they need. As information architects, we design structures that create meaning. We organize content so people can understand it. We build systems that connect users to the information that matters to them.

Our work begins with **purpose**: understanding why information exists and what it should accomplish. It culminates in **experience**: how people actually encounter, understand, and use the information we’ve structured. Between purpose and experience lies the complex work of organizing, labeling, and connecting information in ways that bridge intent and reality.

Whether we design for humans navigating websites, create systems that work alongside AI, or organize information across different cultures, our intent remains constant: we deliberately structure information to create meaningful experiences that serve human purposes.

<details>

<summary>Why designing for meaning matters</summary>

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how information is created and shared. These technologies produce more content faster than ever before. But they also create challenges. How do we ensure AI-generated content has meaning? How do we design systems that remain understandable when machines are part of the process? What does it mean to be the human in the loop?

Information architects can help solve these challenges. We understand how to create structure that supports meaning. We know how to organize information so it makes sense to people. We can design systems that are ethical, inclusive, and transparent.

The difference between a frustrating search and a satisfying discovery. Between feeling lost in information and feeling guided toward understanding. Between data that overwhelms and knowledge that empowers. These experiential outcomes are what we design for when we design for meaning.

</details>

<details>

<summary>How is meaning relevant to information architecture?</summary>

This theme can include diverse perspectives and applications:

* **Designing for meaning with AI:** How do we intentionally structure AI-integrated systems to create meaningful experiences?
* **Understanding different cultures**: How do different communities organize and understand information? How can we design more inclusive systems?
* **Aligning purpose with practice:** How do we ensure our design decisions serve clear purposes and create meaningful outcomes?
* **Making complexity understandable**: How do we help people navigate complex information? What structures create clarity?
* **Building ethical systems**: What responsibilities do we have as information architects? How do we design systems that are fair and transparent?
* **Everything in between**: The daily work of connecting users, content, and context in meaningful ways.

</details>

***

## Timeline for World IA Day 2026&#x20;

* **July 15 - November 30, 2025**: Location applications open
* **July 2025**: Global theme announcement
* **September 2025**: New location announcements as they are approved.
* **November 2025**: Speaker applications open - Contact participating locations for more information.&#x20;
* **January 2026**: Registration generally open for local events.&#x20;
* **March 7-28, 2026**: World IA Day 2026

{% hint style="info" %}
Dates may vary by location as each event is independently organized and coordinated. Locations may also decide to host their WIAD event on a weekday.
{% endhint %}

***

## WIAD26 Locations

World IA Day has been celebrated in more than 60 locations across the globe since its founding in 2012. Each location builds on a rich history of local community engagement and global connection. See what locations are joining us in 2026.

<a href="https://luma.com/worldiaday" class="button primary" data-icon="calendar-days">Calendar of WIAD events</a>

**20** locations

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Location</th><th>Event type<select><option value="bPOkUogSB5h9" label="In-person" color="blue"></option><option value="ILn5PylzjHXI" label="Hybrid" color="blue"></option><option value="7ulMzUG9R8LF" label="Virtual" color="blue"></option></select></th><th data-hidden>Date</th><th data-hidden>Event status<select><option value="Lav5AJ249c38" label="Planned" color="blue"></option></select></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Budapest, Hungary</td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/4pvVzmVXAywUMK1VtY5f/events/cesena-2026"><strong>Cesena, Italy</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/8qlgm8zgQsHNFPTBc3Bn/events/columbus-2026"><strong>Columbus, Ohio, United States</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="ILn5PylzjHXI">Hybrid</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/OGpOY7oipyGVbEpmehVU/"><strong>Des Moines, Iowa, United States</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="ILn5PylzjHXI">Hybrid</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://luma.com/udrnq2ax"><strong>Egypt</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="7ulMzUG9R8LF">Virtual</span></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="https://luma.com/udrnq2ax">https://luma.com/udrnq2ax</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/fOsCmlhsG1H00ucdSDid/events/eindhoven-2026"><strong>Eindhoven, The Netherlands</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/fKP2jOB2QvjtIGHN42k0/"><strong>Fukuoka, Japan</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="ILn5PylzjHXI">Hybrid</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/2hYS6VKZcqTxXP6SM6w1/"><strong>London, United Kingdom</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="7ulMzUG9R8LF">Virtual</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/nVXBBJiVs7TwAxtRRwZE/"><strong>Los Angeles, California, United States</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/OBjCCIxda3yp5EmewMig/"><strong>Milan, Italy</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/i3WlwAxLJ3nlva0W3eZZ/"><strong>Nashville, Tennessee, United States</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/DIJlEC5meGAfUkmA5t2R/"><strong>New York, New York, United States</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="7ulMzUG9R8LF">Virtual</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/36Bei00nyQzYinSz68Z7/"><strong>Palermo, Italy</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="ILn5PylzjHXI">Hybrid</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/Sze55NwkMkGRABrHkJLV/events/philadelphia-2026"><strong>Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/jdcgaVArTdDf1jeV4a5s/events/providence-2026"><strong>Providence, Rhode Island, United States</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://zurich.worldiaday.ch/"><strong>Switzerland</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/upyGkbfyBMDu2IlCXLEY/"><strong>Tokyo, Japan</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://wiad.edu.pl/wiad/"><strong>Toruń, Poland</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/s/ysuZev2JArG6yp63Ugr0/events/vancouver-2026"><strong>Vancouver, Canada</strong></a></td><td><span data-option="bPOkUogSB5h9">In-person</span></td><td></td><td><span data-option="Lav5AJ249c38">Planned</span></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Thanks to our WIAD26 Global Sponsors

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Rosenfeld Media</td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://rosenfeldmedia.com/">https://rosenfeldmedia.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Balsamiq</td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://balsamiq.com/">https://balsamiq.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td>O’Reilly Media</td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://www.oreilly.com/">https://www.oreilly.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td>UXtweak</td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://www.uxtweak.com/">https://www.uxtweak.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Information Architecture Gateway</td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://iagateway.org/">https://iagateway.org/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Rutgers </td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://mbs.rutgers.edu/">https://mbs.rutgers.edu/</a></td></tr><tr><td>DIA Design Guild</td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://www.diadesign.io/">https://www.diadesign.io/</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### WIAD26 Sponsors

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Rosenfeld Media</strong></td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>The Sensemakers Club</strong></td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://www.thesensemakersclub.com/">https://www.thesensemakersclub.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>IAC: The information architecture conference</strong></td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://www.theiaconference.com/">https://www.theiaconference.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Duane Forrester</strong></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="http://www.duaneforrester.com/">http://www.duaneforrester.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Citation Labs</strong></td><td><a href="broken-reference">Broken file</a></td><td><a href="https://citationlabs.com/about/">https://citationlabs.com/about/</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Be a global or local sponsor</strong></td><td>Support the information architecture community through sponsorship at global or local levels.</td><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LrFMS-mbB77MtL2MomZ/s/pk7EPQ2MV6Glje9MMcY0/">Sponsor</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### About World IA Day

World IA Day is a one-day annual celebration focused on the practice and education of Information Architecture. Our goal is to inspire the global growth of a community of practice and empower local leaders to build a culture around it.


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