52nd Annual National Symposium

Re-Cycles of Dress: Costume Society of America’s 52nd Annual National Meeting and Symposium

May 31 - June 4, 2026

Registration is now open for our 2026 Symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina

Hosted by CSA’s Southeastern Region


We are thrilled to invite you to join us for an energizing, in-depth exploration of the many cyclical facets of dress and textile history. This year’s theme, Re-Cycles of Dress, celebrates the long-standing practices of reuse, remake, and recycle—traditions rooted in human ingenuity, shaped by global cultural exchange, and newly urgent in the face of fast fashion and textile waste. Charlotte, with its rich textile heritage, vibrant fashion scene, and innovative recycling industry, offers the perfect backdrop for this conversation. Throughout the symposium, you’ll experience a dynamic mix of presentations, workshops, exhibitions, and local tours that highlight the artists, communities, and histories that continue to influence contemporary design. Attendees will have the chance to see firsthand how past and present intersect in this creative and industrious city.


We can’t wait to welcome you to Charlotte for what promises to be an inspiring and memorable gathering.


After downloading the  registration brochure that can be found here, you can read about all of the exciting offerings and click on the link to register at the top of page 41.


Early Bird Registration is available through April 6, 2026, the deadline for presenters to register is April 17, 2026, and online registration ends April 30, 2026.


QUESTIONS?  Reach out to symposium@costumesocietyamerica.com for general questions, and to national.office@costumesocietyamerica.com for registration questions.

  • Schedule

    A complete schedule can be found in the registration brochure and is subject to change:

    • On Sunday, May 31, the Angels Project will take place and pre-symposium tours will be offered, and we also have suggestions for things to do and see around town. The National Board of Directors will hold a meeting that evening. 
    • The morning of Monday, June 1 will begin with professional development sessions. The Cash & Carry/Silent Auction and Marketplace will open during lunch, and the first concurrent sessions and plenary sessions will be held in the afternoon, as will the members-to-members and first-timers meet and greet. The awards ceremony, keynote address, and opening reception will take place that evening.
    • The Cash & Carry/Silent Auction and Marketplace will be open again on Tuesday, June 2, with check-out for the Silent Auction taking place in the evening. Plenaries and concurrent sessions will also happen on Tuesday, in addition to the Creative Works Exhibition and In-Progress Poster viewing and presentations. A fundraiser event for CSA will be held that evening.
    • The morning of Wednesday, June 3 will begin with our annual meeting and town hall. Plenaries and the final concurrent session will be held. After wrapping up in the late afternoon, the Board will hold its first meeting with the new leadership. 
    • Post-symposium tours will be offered on Thursday, June 4. 

  • Location and Lodging

    The Hilton Charlotte University Place 

    8629 JM Keynes Drive

    Charlotte, NC 28262

    704.547.7444


    The symposium will take place in the meeting rooms of The Hilton Charlotte University Place, a lakefront hotel located near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It offers comfortable guest rooms with amenities such as free parking, complimentary WiFi, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center. Guests can enjoy dining at the Edgewater Bar and Grille, which specializes in seafood and steaks, or grab a Starbucks coffee from the lobby café. Conveniently located, the hotel is 15 miles from Charlotte Douglas Airport. It also provides a complimentary local shuttle service within a five-mile radius on weekdays.


    Group rates are available for the nights of Sunday, May 31 through Wednesday, June 3 based on availability. CSA’s group room rate is $159 per night, and guests have the choice of either 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds. This rate is subject to applicable taxes in effect at the time of check out. 


    Reservations must be made by May 9, 2026 (subject to availability) by calling 1 800 HILTONS, anytime of day, or they can call 704-547-7444, Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and ask to speak with our in-house reservations department. You will need to give them the booking code “AMS,” to the operator. You can also book online by clicking here. Please note: any reservations made after May 13, 2026, are subject to availability and at prevailing room rates. 


    WHY WE ASK YOU TO STAY AT THE CONFERENCE HOTEL

    In order to secure meeting rooms for the conference, our agreement with the hotel includes contracted room nights. If the minimum is not met, CSA must pay for unused room nights. Please help us make the conference financially viable by staying at the conference hotel. 


  • Student Symposium Support Program

    We are seeking reliable, detail-oriented students to assist with the set-up, open hours, and break-down of the Silent Auction/Cash & Carry and Marketplace during the upcoming CSA Symposium. Student Symposium Support staff will complete one 10-hour shift and will receive free full symposium registration in exchange for their service. On their non-working days, students are welcome to attend all symposium sessions and events.


    Click here to learn more about the responsibilities, time commitment, eligibility, and compensation.

    Questions?

    Send an email to our Co-chairs,

    Margarette Joyner and Sha'Mira Covington:

    symposium@costumesocietyamerica.com

    Thanks to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Annual Meeting and Symposium in Los Angeles!

    To read a full account of the festivities, click here.