TL;DR
The inaugural DIY CON ran Nov. 6-8 in Dallas, bringing DIY creators, HGTV personalities, makers, retailers and more than 75 vendors together for workshops, stage discussions and product demonstrations. Organizers said the event aimed to help attendees turn online inspiration into practical skills and confidence, though attendance figures and plans for a future show were not provided.
DIY CON held its inaugural three-day event in Dallas Nov. 6-8, bringing HGTV personalities, online creators, woodworking experts, makers and home-improvement businesses together for stage discussions, hands-on workshops and product demonstrations. Organizers framed the event as a way for DIYers to move from watching project content to learning practical skills and evaluating products in person.
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The event paired Main Stage conversations with workshops for beginners, intermediate DIYers and experienced makers. HGTV personalities Drew Scott, Jonathan Scott, Ty Pennington, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, and Cole and Chelsea DeBoer appeared on stage. Workshop sessions covered subjects including deck-building fundamentals, live-edge charcuterie boards and pocket-hole techniques.
Organizers also set up areas for attendees to meet makers, take photos and make a keepsake, along with a Backyard beer garden and a Kids Zone offering activities and experiments. The showfloor featured more than 75 vendors and manufacturers, according to the source report, with product demonstrations and show deals. The North American Hardware and Paint Association brought products from its 2026 Retailers’ Choice Awards for attendees to see.
The event drew people from outside the creator and consumer communities, too. Sterling Cherry and Caitlin Driscoll traveled from Ketchikan, Alaska, where they work at Madison Lumber & Hardware. Driscoll said the store wants to attract more DIY customers and was looking for project ideas and ways to connect with them through its in-store workshop.
From Online Ideas to Practical Skills
DIY CON’s format addressed a problem identified by event director Hector Morfin-Chong: consumers can find abundant project content online, but may be unsure which guidance to trust, which tool to buy or whether a project is realistic for their skills and budget. In-person demonstrations and workshops gave attendees a chance to ask questions and try techniques rather than rely only on videos.
That distinction matters to consumers weighing a project against the cost of tools, materials and potential mistakes. Morfin-Chong said attendees want to know both what they can do themselves and when they should call a professional. The event’s practical emphasis also offered hardware retailers and manufacturers a direct way to meet customers, demonstrate products and hear what DIYers are looking for.
For independent retailers, the gathering provided examples of how workshops and creator relationships might support customer outreach. Driscoll said Madison Lumber & Hardware hoped to use ideas from the event to develop projects for its own workshop and reach more DIY shoppers. The source report does not establish whether those ideas have since been adopted.
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A New Event for DIY Communities
DIY CON was described in the source report as a brand-new show designed to bring together audiences and personalities from social media, television and the maker community. Lifestyle expert Kathryn Emery compared its mix of creators and fan gatherings to Comic-Con, while emphasizing the event’s focus on DIY interests and hands-on learning.
The event’s approach reflects a shift in the challenge facing would-be DIYers, Morfin-Chong said. Finding a tutorial may once have been difficult; now, people face a large volume of advice and need to judge its reliability and relevance. HGTV’s Jonathan Scott urged attendees to seek advice from qualified professionals, while his brother Drew Scott said DIYers should acknowledge what they do not know and find reliable answers before proceeding.
The event also connected consumers with the retail and product side of home improvement. NHPA’s Retailers’ Choice Awards recognize products the association describes as creative and innovative; the awards marked their 60th year in 2026. Exhibitors used the show to demonstrate products and meet both consumers and businesses in the independent hardware channel.
““Today, the challenge is deciding which advice to trust, which tool is right, whether a project is realistic and how to get started.””
— DIY CON event director Hector Morfin-Chong
Attendance and Future Plans Unreported
The source report does not give a total attendance figure, visitor demographics, exhibitor count beyond the statement that more than 75 vendors and manufacturers were on the showfloor, or financial results for the event. It also does not say whether organizers plan to hold DIY CON again, or provide a date or location for a follow-up.
Some outcomes cited in the report are individual accounts rather than measured results. Emery relayed one attendee’s positive response, and exhibitor Rick Goren said the event helped him make industry connections and put his products in front of consumers. The report supplies no sales totals or broader survey data to show how attendees or businesses benefited overall.
Whether DIY CON Returns
The inaugural event has concluded, but the source report does not identify a next edition or announced follow-up. Organizers have not provided a timeline, venue or program for another show in the material available here.
For now, the next practical step described by participants is applying what they learned. Madison Lumber & Hardware was seeking ideas for projects and customer engagement through its store workshop, while exhibitors used the event to demonstrate products and build connections. Whether those efforts lead to new programs, partnerships or a recurring event remains unreported.
Key Questions
What was DIY CON 2026?
DIY CON was a three-day event in Dallas, held Nov. 6-8, that brought together DIY creators, HGTV personalities, makers, retailers and home-improvement businesses for talks, workshops and product demonstrations.
What could attendees learn at the event?
Workshops covered deck-building basics, live-edge charcuterie boards and pocket-hole techniques. Attendees could also watch demonstrations and speak with creators and exhibitors.
How many vendors took part?
The source report says the showfloor featured more than 75 vendors and manufacturers. It does not provide a full exhibitor list or a total number of attendees.
Will DIY CON return?
The source report does not say whether another edition is planned. No future date or location was provided.
Source: hardwareretailing.com
