Annual International Mars Society Convention 2026

The convention was held at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.

The 2026 convention was billed as featuring 80 or more in-person speakers.

Attendees at space advocacy conventions usually wear business casual, with a mix of collared shirts, blazers and the occasional space-themed tee. A university campus setting in Los Angeles in late October suggested comfortable walking shoes and a light layer for evenings.

It suited engineers, scientists and space-industry people who wanted exposure to many viewpoints on Mars exploration, since the roster listed more than 80 speakers attending in person, among them Patrick Beatty of Beyond Earth Ventures and Fabrizio Pisani of Astera Institute. Attendees also included policymakers and Mars advocates, so the mix leaned toward enthusiasts and advocacy rather than a procurement-focused crowd, and buyers looking for a narrow vendor pool likely got less from it.