Events
UX Akron is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) user experience community. We host a variety of events supporting the UX community throughout the year.
Our events are free and open to the public, and we do not charge membership fees.
As a non-profit, we rely on donations from people in the community like you! Donations are tax-deductible, always appreciated, and help support our mission to connect, educate, and grow the UX community in Northeast Ohio. Click here to visit our Donations page.
Upcoming Events
Making AI a 'Good Place': Usability and Accessibility with Emily Ogle
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
6:30 PM to 7:45 PM ET [ Online ]
AI is here. It’s everywhere but a lot goes into whether AI is usable or accessible. As we consider what we CAN do, we need to consider what we SHOULD do with AI.
Consider:
* AI is only as good as its data, and if there’s few accessible websites, it doesn’t have enough data to create accessible websites.
* AI is repetitive. If a pattern is common, even if it’s not particularly useful, AI will favor these. Example: Carousels.
About our speaker
Emily Ogle, PMP, CPACC, and DHS Trusted Tester, is a mentor and coach in accessibility best practices and a passionate advocate for inclusive design. Her work focuses on preventing and removing barriers for people with disabilities in digital spaces.
With deep knowledge of accessibility requirements across WCAG 2.2, Section 508, and EN 301 549, Emily helps teams understand not just what accessibility standards require, but why they matter. She regularly trains individuals and teams on how to assess accessibility, creating practical exercises that reveal everyday barriers many people take for granted.
Emily consistently advocates for people with disabilities and speaks up when representation is missing. She is widely recognized for her empathy and ability to make accessibility approachable, actionable, and human-centered.
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Haven’t attended a UX Akron event before? This is a perfect time to get to know some amazing User Experience people, ask questions if you are interested in UX as a career, and learn about UX happenings in Ohio (and beyond!)
This is an online event.
World Information Architecture Day 2026
Friday, March 6, 2026
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET [ In-Person ]
Join us in Akron, Ohio on Friday. March 6th for World Information Architecture Day!
This year’s theme is: Designing for Meaning
This is an in-person event. Continental breakfast and lunch is provided.
About the 2026 theme: 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.
Read our blog for more information on WIAD26.
Speakers, presentations, and the full day’s agenda are posted on our blog.
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Haven’t attended a UX Akron event before? This is a perfect time to get to know some amazing User Experience people, ask questions if you are interested in UX as a career, and learn about UX happenings in Ohio (and beyond!)
This is an In-Person event.
Other Events of Interest
UX Akron curates events happening in the greater UX community (Akron and beyond) and shares those that may be of interest to our community. Sharing events does not imply endorsement.
Being a Data Analyst in the Era of AI (AMER/EMEA)
Thursday, January 22, 2026 11:00-12:00 PM EST
Event by: Microsoft Reactor Toronto
In this session, we’ll explore how AI is reshaping the analyst’s toolkit and opening the door to deeper insights, faster workflows, and more strategic impact.
You’ll learn how to harness AI-powered capabilities to streamline tasks, enhance your analysis, and focus more on the work that truly requires human judgment.
We’ll cover the skills to invest in, the tools to adopt, and the practical ways AI can make you a more effective and future-ready analyst.
This is part of Fabric Data Days.
UX360 Research Summit 2026 (Virtual)
Wednesday, February 4 to Thursday, February 5, 2026
Event by: UX360 Summit
The UX360 series is the flagship global gathering for UX professionals and innovators.
Expect thought-provoking keynotes from leading brands, interactive panels, inspiring round-tables and high-value 1-to-1 networking.
UX360 virtual is the must-attend event for UX researchers & designers seeking inspiration, knowledge, and connections – all from the comfort of your home or office!
Consider the $59* (early bird) ticket as an investment on yourself!
