What to Expect from Cluecon 2026, August 10-14

ClueCon is just around the corner, and this year it's coming home to a brand new address. After years at the Drake Hotel and the Swissotel, ClueCon 2026 is making its debut at The Midland Hotel, a stunning Beaux Arts landmark right in the heart of Chicago's Loop. Whether you're a returning regular or a first-time attendee, here's everything you need to know about what's waiting for you August 10-14.

ClueCon's new venue: The Midland Hotel, Chicago

The Midland Hotel is a Tribute Portfolio property by Marriott, housed in a beautifully restored building near the Theater District, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Bold Art Deco design, modern amenities, and a prime downtown location make it a fitting backdrop for a conference that's always been at the intersection of history and innovation.

Staying in the ClueCon room block unlocks a discount on your conference registration in addition to the discount on your room. Book through the official Marriott reservation link to lock in the ClueCon group rate.

Monday, August 10: Coder Games and welcome dinner

The Coder Games Hackathon

ClueCon kicks off Monday with the Coder Games: the conference's signature take on a hackathon. Included with every admission, it's designed for everyone from seasoned engineers to plus ones who just want to build something fun. Work solo or in a team. Compete for prizes. Have a great time on day one and meet your peers in a laid back environment (with a healthy amount of friendly competition).

This year's Coder Games features three tracks:

The SignalWire Challenge: Ship a real-time voice AI agent

The theme? Fix a daily rage moment. You know the one… the phone tree that never connects you to a human, the subscription you can't cancel, the voicemail that's been full since 2019. Build a real-time voice AI agent on SignalWire that takes one of those friction points and actually solves it. Winners take home a cash prize, and you can get a head start before you even arrive. The challenge is open leading up to August 10.

Resources like the SignalWire Agents SDK, working demo repos, and even a Claude Code skill built for SignalWire development are all available to help you get there.

FreeCYCLED Hacks: Build a pinewood derby car

No code required. This year's non-coding challenge puts your engineering instincts to the test. Build a pinewood derby car from household and provided materials, then race it at the end of the day to find the fastest car on the track. It's a fantastic icebreaker and a genuinely fun way to make connections on day one.

The Maker Space

Available throughout the day, the Maker Space is a hands-on playground stocked with Arduinos, Raspberry Pis, sensors, tools, and 3D printers. Use it to power up your Coder Games entry or just tinker. Bonus points are on the table for builds that push the boundaries of what's possible.

Even if you’re not building, you're still part of the action. Join interactive games, cheer on competitors, and help decide winners through audience-driven challenges.

Tuesday-Thursday, August 11-14: The main conference

Talks, panels and roundtables

The heart of ClueCon is three days of presentations from engineers, builders, and industry leaders covering real-time communications, VoIP, WebRTC, AI, FreeSWITCH, open-source telephony, and whatever is pushing the edges of the industry right now. Sessions are curated for people who build and operate the systems, not just talk about them.

Lunch and Learns

Every conference day includes a Lunch and Learn workshop during the midday break. These are hands-on, focused sessions designed to give you practical skills you can apply immediately. Lunch is provided Monday through Thursday.

AI workshops

ClueCon has dedicated AI Workshop sessions this year, a sign of where the industry is heading and how central AI-driven communications has become to the community.

Dangerous Demos

One of ClueCon's most anticipated traditions is Dangerous Demos, hosted by James Body, founder of Telet Research. Participants demo real, working technology in three minutes or less. Awards are given in four categories:

• Audience Vote: chosen interactively by the crowd
• The Swan Prize: for the most elegant, effortless demo
• The Crash and Burn: for the demo that goes most spectacularly wrong (in the best possible way)
• The Most Entertaining: the judges' pick for best overall

Started in 2012, Dangerous Demos has become a beloved tradition for showing off new and emerging technology. Earning one of those 3D laser-etched trophies means something in this community. Anyone with one on their shelf has officially earned the title of Original Geek.

Evening activities: Networking, Chicago style

ClueCon's evenings are legendary, and 2026 is no exception. Every nightly event is included in your conference admission.

Monday: Welcome dinner at Giordano's

Cap off Monday evening at Giordano's, home of Chicago's original deep dish pizza. Space is limited to the first 100 signups, so add your name to the list early. It's one of ClueCon's most beloved traditions: a low-key way to meet your fellow attendees before the conference week hits full speed.

Tuesday: The Gigabit Reception (1920s edition)

The Gigabit Reception is ClueCon's signature evening, and this year it's getting a twist. Hosted at the Midland Hotel itself, the 2026 edition leans into the building's history with a 1920s-inspired atmosphere. Period attire is encouraged, but never required. Expect food and drinks, board games, Mario Kart on the big screen, impromptu guitar jams, and the kind of conversations that only happen when the right people end up in the same room.

And if someone mentions Capone's Vault... well. That's not something you'll find on the schedule. Only those who know what to look for tend to find the door.

Wednesday: Brando's karaoke and cocktails

Wednesday night takes things out into the city with a visit to Brando's Speakeasy, a cozy Chicago tavern with a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Sing if you want. Order a drink and people-watch if you don't. It's a low-pressure, fun way to decompress mid-week and enjoy a slice of Chicago nightlife with people who actually understand what you do for a living.

Swag and raffle prizes

Every registration includes ClueCon t-shirts and swag, plus ongoing opportunities to win prizes throughout the week. Daily prize drawings keep the energy up from Monday through Thursday.

Plus, there’s always a super awesome grand prize on the final day of the conference, like the custom engraved Macbooks of past ClueCons…

Register now for ClueCon 2026

ClueCon has always been a conference for developers, by developers, and that ethos is alive and well in 2026. Whether you're there to present, compete in the Coder Games, absorb technical content, or finally meet the people you've only known through Discord and GitHub, there's something at ClueCon that's made for you.

Can't make it in person? Sessions are livestreamed on the FreeSWITCH YouTube channel. Subscribe so you don't miss anything.

Learn more at cluecon.com and join the community on Discord to stay connected before the event.

We’ll see you August 10–14 at The Midland Hotel!

‍