June 24-28, 2026
Guelph, ontario, canada
WARP’s 2026 Annual Gathering is officially on the calendar! Join us June 24–28, 2026, at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. We’re delighted to be heading to Canada for the 2026 conference and can’t wait to gather in a new setting for learning, connection, and exchange.
Registration will open shortly after the new year and more details about the program and travel will be shared soon. In the meantime, we hope you’ll start planning to join us!
Featured Presenters
We have an incredible lineup of Canadian speakers who are aligned with WARP’s mission! Here are a few presenter highlights:
Naomi Smith (pictured above) will be Keynote Speaker at the 2026 WARP Annual Gathering. Naomi is an award winning Indigenous Artist, Maker and Educator from the Chippewas of Nawash Nation in Neyaashiinimiing. For over 25 years Naomi has focused on sharing teachings about the Indigenous people of the Woodlands and Northeastern region from a historical and contemporary perspective often through the story of beads. Her work embraces ancestral designs in the form of bags, adornment and traditional accessories. Naomi’s work has been exhibited across Canada and internationally. She has exhibited at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) (Smithsonian) in Washington DC and New York, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives, Art Gallery of Guelph and participates in cultural events throughout the year.
Launching her career as a high-end fashion designer, Wave Weir began reflecting on the damaging effects of fashion and resolved to make a difference. Where to begin? With sheep, of course! Today, she and her team do it all at Wave Fibre Mill – manufacturing finished garments from local fibre that they process into yarn and fabric, all with a watchful eye to maintaining ecologically responsible practices.
Deborah Livingston-Lowe is the founder of Upper Canada Weaving, a small-scale cottage weaving workshop. The principle behind all of her commissions is sustainability, sourcing to farm, local mill spinning and small-batch dyeing. Deborah specializes in 19th and 20th century reproductions and collaborations with fashion and interior designers.
Local Field Trips
The 2026 conference will offer two engaging, full-day field trip options, with bus transportation provided for all participants.
- Curated Toronto Museum tour: Visit the Textile Museum of Canada and the Royal Ontario Museum.
- Farm and Fiber Mill tour: Explore textile production firsthand with a visit to Donna Hancock’s Angora Farm at Wellington Fibres.
Together, these immersive day trips provide unique insight into both historic textile collections and contemporary fiber production, ensuring there’s something to inspire every interest.
Plan Your Trip to Canada
The University of Guelph is an hour west of Toronto, with regular shuttle service to Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Alternatively, American citizens may choose to fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), rent a car, and drive two hours north to Guelph.
Before you make your travel plans, however, we recommend that you visit the Canadian tourism and travel website travel.gc.ca.
- Visit Canada – Learn whether you need a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) in addition to your passport or other official travel document.
- Return or travel to Canada – Find information on entry requirements, travel documents, and customs regulations.
- Canadian attractions, events and experiences – Discover ideas that may inspire you to extend your trip. Guelph is approximately 90 minutes north of Niagara Falls and 90 minutes west of downtown Toronto, offering access to theatre, museums, and fine dining.
NOTE: 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States during June and July. Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans, and consider booking flights as early as possible to avoid increased costs.
