NYCC ’26 is coming and nothing can stop it – and a vast slate of professional programming has just been announced. It’s so huge I’m just going to cut’n’paste but it is clearly an outgrowth of the very successful professional events of the last few years, and includes Retailer Day on Wednesday, October 7 (smack dab against the star-studded invite only Crunchyroll summit), The ICv2 Insider Talks on Thursday, a full slate of library programming, the Popcultr Marketing Summit on Friday, and a new Aspiring Professional Program on Saturday and Sunday.
According to Kristina Rogers, VP of ReedPop, Star Wars Celebration and US Comics Portfolio, the pro programming has been a bit hit and “we wanted to create even more opportunities to bring our community of professionals and aspiring professionals together this year. For 20 years, NYCC has offered industry pros a space to gather to network, introduce new work, and celebrate their wins, and we look forward to continuing to grow those opportunities in the years to come.”
All Professional programming is available to the following badge types: Artist Alley, Writers Block, Pro Thursday, Pro 4-Day, Press, Content Creator, Panelist, Exhibitor, and Sidekick. Programming will be available to fans via the Aspiring Professional Program: fans with Single Day or 4-Day Weekend tickets can reserve a limited number of spots for participating panels.
And here is the schedule:
- NYCC Retailer Day – Wednesday, October 7, 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Pro Stage 1, cocktail party to follow
Join us for the third annual NYCC Retailer Day. This exclusive professional event features publisher presentations, keynotes from Stephanie Philips and Todd McFarlane, retailer conversations, industry discussions, and select creator signings. Speakers from Dark Horse, eBay, Ignition, Universal, Women in Comics Collective, and more.
- ICv2 Insider Talks and Comic Industry Social Hour – Thursday, October 8, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Pro Stage 1
Since the first New York Comic Con in 2006, ICv2 has hosted industry conferences as part of the show, bringing together the leaders of the comics and graphic novel industry to discuss the issues of the day. This year’s event will be a special 20-year anniversary edition, looking ahead to the future in the three segments that changed the industry during that history: graphic novels, manga, and digital. And the Comic Industry Social Hour is a great opportunity to meet, mingle, and network with other leaders of the industry.
The ICv2 Insider Talks will kick off with the Comic Industry Social Hour and registration, followed by two hours of programming, including the ICv2 White Paper and panelists from across the comics and graphic novel business. This is a free, ticketed event (via ICv2) for industry pros only.
- Industry Summit and Mixer presented by Comics Sketch Art – Thursday, October 8, 7:00 PM, Pro Stage 1
An evening networking event with keynote speakers, light food and beverages, and sponsor-supported activations. Open to all Industry Badge holders such as Artist Alley, Writers Block, Pro Thursday, Pro 4-Day, Press, Content Creator, Exhibitor, Panelist and Sidekicks.
- Innovative Professional Development Programming for Educators and Librarians Throughout the Weekend
Curated panels and professional development for librarians and educators, in partnership with the New York Public Library’s Center for Educators and Schools and the NYC Department of Education’s Civics for All Comics Group.
Programming highlights from the NYC Department of Education include:
o Weaving LGBTQ+ History into the Narrative with Hidden Voices and Comics!
Friday, October 9, 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Pro Stage 2
o Hard History Through Comics featuring Eisner Award-winning author and political cartoonist, Ben Passmore
Thursday, October 8, 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM, Pro Stage 2
o Know Your Rights: New York City’s Innovative New Comic Book
Thursday, October 8, 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM, Room 1B02
Programming highlights for the NYPL and its programming partners include:
o Panels, Pages, and Patients: Teaching Empathy Through Graphic Medicine
Thursday, October 8, 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Pro Stage 1
o CENTRO Library & Archives’ Lunch Hour Live: Brown Gay Ink Featuring Ivan Velez Jr.
Thursday, October 8, 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM, Room 1B02
- The Syndicate NYCC Panel Series
Fueled by passion and a relentless curiosity for what’s fresh and new, this exclusive panel series curated by The Syndicate will level up your marketing and live event game.
Panels include:
o Marketing Art with Art: Visual Identity as World-Building
The best way to sell a piece of art is with more art. This panel brings together marketing creatives across film/TV, music, comics, and consumer products to unpack how visual identity and consumer-facing branding function as extensions of the work they’re promoting. Panelists will break down the specific choices behind identities that feel inseparable from the art itself, offering concrete process, cross-disciplinary comparisons, and industry insight along the way.
Friday, October 9, 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM, Pro Stage 2
o Level Up the Fanbase: Music Marketing in the Age of the Superfans
Superfans don’t just happen. They’re built, one touchpoint at a time. This panel pulls back the curtain on the intentional mechanics behind fan loyalty. How marketing tactics like influencer seeding, brand partnerships, and experiential moments work as a system to turn casual fans into stans. Our panel of marketing experts and artist strategists breaks down real campaigns, not just theory, so you can see the playbook behind the fandom.
Friday, October 9, 2:45 PM to 3:30 PM, Pro Stage 2
o Comedy Gatekeepers in 2026: Are They Still Around? Do They Still Matter?
The Comedy industry is ever-changing and the historic mechanisms that once anointed comedians no longer exists. It’s not a network, it’s not a Late Night set, nor a festival. Modern comedians need to be everything from marketing specialists, media talent, podcasters and business owners in addition to just being funny to make it. This panel of club owners, comedians, managers, and marketing pros will have a frank discussion about how they are constructing the careers of tomorrow’s superstars.
Friday, October 9, 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM, Pro Stage 2
- Popcultr Marketing Summit
Brought to you by Experience12, this B2B summit focuses on one question: what earns people’s time?
Sessions cover entertainment, games, anime, publishing, tabletop, licensing, consumer products, community, creators and the brands that want to reach those audiences.
The panel lineup includes:
o Fandom Doesn’t Sit Still – What changing audience behavior means when discovery, identity, and community cross every boundary.
Friday, October 9, 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Pro Stage 1
o Cards on the Table – The boom, the seasons, and the marketing underneath both.
Friday, October 9, 12:15 PM to 1 PM, Pro Stage 1
o IRL: The Feed is not Enough – Nothing online feels like being in the room.
Friday, October 9, 1:45 PM to 2:30 PM, Pro Stage 1
o The Popcultr Edit – The marketing that earned people’s time, and what comes next.
Friday, October 9, 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM, Pro Stage 1
- From Page to Screen: How TV Executives Acquire and Produce the Next Hit Series – Like Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl – Saturday, October 10, 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM, Pro Stage 2
Universal Studio Group executives Jordan Moblo (EVP, Creative Acquisitions & IP Management, USG), Kelsey Balance (EVP, Scripted Series, Universal Global Television) and Vivian Cannon (EVP, Drama Development, Universal Television) – the creative leaders behind shows including The Day of the Jackal, All Her Fault, We Were Liars, Cape Fear, The Five Star Weekend and the upcoming DIG and The Dream Lands – share how they discover projects, evaluate creative potential, develop relationships with creators and guide stories through the development journey.
Moderated by author Matt Dinniman, whose bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series is being adapted by Universal Global Television for Peacock, this conversation offers a rare look inside the decision-making and collaboration that drives series adaptations today.
- Ask Us Anything: Confessions of Celebrity Interviewers – Sunday, October 11, 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM, Pro Stage 2
Happy Sad Confused host Josh Horowitz takes you behind the scenes of the celebrity interview, joined by fellow entertainment journalists including Collider’s Perri Nemiroff. They’ll swap stories about dream guests, awkward encounters, interviews gone wrong, and what it really takes to get a great conversation out of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Then it’s your turn to ask the questions. The majority of the panel will be audience Q&A, putting Josh and his fellow interviewers in the hot seat.
- NYCC Film Industry Masterclass Series
New for 2026, NYCC’s Professional Programming lineup will take aspiring film and television professionals behind the scenes with a series of industry-focused masterclasses led by professional prop makers and practical effects artists Robin Careless and Ian Campbell. The three-part series explores both the careers and craftsmanship behind film and television, with sessions covering breaking into the entertainment industry, practical sculpting and effects, and special effects for independent horror.- Breaking Into the Industry
From building a portfolio and networking to freelancing, unions, on-set expectations, and finding a path into film and television, Robin Careless and Ian Campbell share practical advice for aspiring professionals across costume fabrication, props, practical effects, writing, directing, and more.
- Breaking Into the Industry
Saturday, October 10, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, Pro Stage 1
o Practical Sculpting
A live, hands-on look at sculpting techniques used for film and television. Ian will demonstrate the process of creating a sculpt from the ground up, sharing professional techniques, materials, and practical advice for artists interested in developing their skills for character, creature, prop, and special effects work.
Saturday, October 10, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, Pro Stage 1
o Introduction to Gore: Special Effects in Indie Horror
Explore the world of practical effects for independent horror and learn how filmmakers can create memorable on-screen effects while working within the realities of indie production.
Sunday, October 11, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Pro Stage 1
- Content Creator Collective
This exciting panel series is built for creators (and inspiring creators) who want to create better content, grow their audience, build their brand, and connect with their community. These panels provide practical tips on everything from fast, effective video editing to building a brand without quitting your day job – and discovering how creators are turning their passions into careers.
Plus, meet your next collab partner! Whether you’re a seasoned creator, aspiring influencer, gamer, cosplayer, editor, or just getting started, these panels are packed with real-world advice, fresh ideas, industry insights, and opportunities to connect with fellow creators. Panels include:
o Video editing for Content Creators
Join us to learn some tips and tricks on how to get your content into everyone’s algorithm! From editing techniques to literal camera pointers, let us help get your content rolling!
Saturday, 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Pro Stage 2
o Content Creators, find your next collab
Step into the ultimate creator session where community, creativity, and good vibes collide! This lively networking session is all about helping fans and creators connect in a fun, low‑pressure space. Whether you’re a seasoned editor, a cosplay storyteller, a TikTok comedian, or someone who just loves making things, you’ll find people who get your style and maybe your next collab partner!
Saturday, 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM, Pro Stage 1
o The Power of Play: How Games Build Worlds, Fans, and Creators
This panel brings together iconic voices from the gaming world and creators who transform gameplay into stories, communities, and viral content. Fans will get a behind‑the‑scenes look at how legendary games are built, how creators turn gameplay into careers, and how both sides work together to shape the future of digital entertainment.
Saturday, October 10, 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM, Pro Stage 1
o The 15-Minute Creator: Building a Brand Without Quitting Your 9-to-5
Most social media advice is written for full-time influencers with professional editors. This panel is for the rest of us. Whether you’re a parent, a student, or a professional, you don’t need a 40-hour work week to transition from a “fan account” to a “business account.” This session focuses on the Micro-Content Blueprint: a system for filming, editing, and posting high-engagement content in the “pockets” of your day. We’ll show you how to leverage AI tools for scripting, use mobile-first editing hacks to cut production time by 70%, and pivot your hobby into a brand. Joining the conversation is a 13-year-old co-creator who will provide the “Gen-Alpha Reality Check”, revealing what younger audiences actually want to see versus what parents think is trending.
Sunday, 12:45 PM to 1:30 PM, Pro Stage 2
o Staying Sane in the Content Game: Mindset, Boundaries & Balance
In a world where everyone is online and anyone can be a star, things can get a little overwhelming. Join a panel of voice actors, a YouTuber, and a very qualified psychologist as we explore the age-old question: how do you exist as a creative person online without having a menty b?
Sunday, 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM, Pro Stage 2
- The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic industry’s oldest and most prestigious awards. Recognizing outstanding achievement in multiple categories, the Harveys have been a fixture of the comic industry since 1988.
The Harvey Awards are once again taking place at New York Comic Con on Friday, October 9th in the River Pavilion. The event is invite-only, but find out more at https://www.harveyawards.com/.
