June 4–7, 2026 | Holiday Inn Indianapolis Airport | 190 Builders. One Sold-Out Weekend.

The signal has gone quiet. The soldering irons have cooled. The droids are loaded and rolling back to their home sectors.

DroidCon 2026 is in the books.

This year marked the ninth gathering of DroidBuilders’ annual convention — four days of hands-on builds, late-night conversations by the firepit, and the kind of shared expertise that only happens when you put a few hundred droid builders under one roof. DroidCon sold out this year, welcoming 190 attendees who filled the Holiday Inn Indianapolis Airport with builds, parts, projects, and more droids than any normal hotel lobby was designed to handle.

By the Numbers

  • 190 ticketed attendees — sold out
  • 9th annual DroidCon
  • $13,006 raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — a new DroidCon record
  • 4 Project ST-321 Build Challenge teams completed and submitted builds
  • More than 80 droids made it into the group photo alone — with additional builds remaining off-frame, the full fleet on hand was even larger

Project ST-321: The Build Challenge

This year’s signature challenge asked teams to build something equal parts technical and theatrical: a hologram display case inspired by Star Wars lore, purpose-built to support DroidBuilders’ STEM outreach.

The concept is practical genius. These cases will house video playback devices that loop activity instructions at STEM events — giving teachers a literal in-universe assistant, reducing the need to repeat themselves, and keeping the experience immersive for students. Think of it as a personal protocol droid that handles the briefing so the humans can focus on the building.

Ten team spots were offered. Four teams answered the call, brought their own style to the challenge, and delivered. All four were recognized as winners and will receive a digital prize package: the Star Wars Inspired Fan Hologram STL Kit — including STL files, MP4 animations, and assembly instructions — generously donated by Thomas Nixon of Reality2Robots.

The teams that answered the signal:

  • The St. Louis Builders — Brian, Andy, Craig, Matt, and Jim
  • The Ladies of DroidBuilding — Anna, Nancy, Anna, Megan, Aimee, Leora, and Jen
  • Sundried-Potatoes — Ken, Kelsey, Luke, Thomas, Tiffany, Zoey, Lynelle, and Eric
  • The Juggernaughts — Nicky, Darren, Connor, Rory, Kevin, Jon, Morgan, and Leora

Special recognition goes to Leora, whose painting and weathering skills are in a class of their own — she supported multiple teams across the weekend because that’s just the kind of builder she is.

St. Jude Charity Auction: A New Record

Every year, DroidBuilders raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year, the community outdid itself.

The 2026 auction raised $13,006 — surpassing the previous DroidCon record of $11,000. The St. Jude partnership carries real personal meaning for our organization; one of our own members has a grandchild currently receiving care there. Every dollar raised is community showing up for community.

Our sincere thanks to the donors who made it possible:

David Ferreira, Drew Barbour, Chase Norman, Matt Modica, Terri & Douglas Kempthorne, the Sproles Family, Malcom MacKenzie, FRSky RC, Lynelle Phillips, Ben Spacek, Steve Edwards, Michael Kelly, Jon Pierro, Mark French, Matt Hobbs & Stephane, Rancho Obi Wan, Tom Spina, 501st Long Island, Ben Lewitt, Thomas Nixon, Tim & Lynn Hebel, Todd Harrington, Anna Lenhart Murray, Paul Murphy, Daren Murrer, and Steele Smith.

If we’ve missed anyone, please reach out — your generosity deserves to be named.

A New Partnership: FRSky RC

DroidCon 2026 also marked the beginning of a promising new relationship with FRSky RC, who joined us this year as a presenter and is stepping up as a sponsor going forward. We’re glad to have them in the community.

The Moments That Matter

Numbers tell part of the story. The rest happened at the workbenches, in the hallways, and around the firepit after hours.

One of the highlights no spreadsheet can capture: several younglings attended DroidCon 2026 and left inspired — not just to meet droids, but to build them. That’s the mission in its simplest and most direct form, and it happened the way the best DroidBuilders moments always do: organically, and without announcement.

Looking Ahead

The organizers are evaluating a DroidCon Light in 2027 — a scaled-down version of the event, likely returning to Indianapolis. Venue options for 2028 and beyond are also under consideration as the event continues to grow.

More details will follow as planning develops. Until then — keep building.

Share your DroidCon 2026 photos and memories with #DroidCon26.