2026 was my second year attending and teaching at the Next Level Maker Conference. I taught xTool material, answered live questions, and bounced back and forth between being an instructor and an attendee.
For me, the people are as big a part of it as the classes. You get to meet makers you normally only talk to online, swap real experience, and learn from creators you may have followed for years.
The vendor floor gives you hands-on time with companies and machines, including an in-person look at the xTool X1 launch. It’s a lot easier to compare machines and ask questions there than from a product page or a recorded demo.
If you value classes, community, and getting your hands on equipment all in one place, it’s a trip worth considering. I also talk about how going can shape where you head creatively and who you end up connecting with.