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07 · Chief Experience Officer

Pre-event FAQ

Lena Nguyen · Attendee Experience · concierge, reminders, NPS

FutureStack 2026 — Pre-Event FAQ

Generated by: Attendee Experience skill

Event: FutureStack 2026 Dates: October 15-16, 2026 Venue: Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX Expected Attendance: 800 Theme: AI Infrastructure

1. Where is the venue and how do I get there?

FutureStack 2026 takes place at the Austin Convention Center, located at 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701. The venue is in the heart of downtown Austin, within walking distance of many hotels, restaurants, and the Congress Avenue entertainment district. Use the East Entrance (Hall 4) for badge pickup and main registration.

2. What are the parking options?

The Austin Convention Center garage is located on Trinity Street between Cesar Chavez and 2nd Street. Daily rates are approximately $20/day. We have negotiated a $12/day validated rate for FutureStack attendees — pick up a validation sticker at the registration desk. Additional nearby garages include the Silicon Labs Garage (300 W 2nd St) and One Congress Plaza (111 Congress Ave), both within a 5-minute walk.

3. Can I get there by public transit?

Yes. Austin's Capital Metro serves the Convention Center area well:

  • MetroRail: Take the Red Line to the Downtown Station (4th & Trinity), then walk 3 blocks south.
  • Bus Routes: Routes 1 (N Lamar/S Congress), 7 (Duval/Dove Springs), and 20 (Manor Rd) all stop within 2 blocks.
  • Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are widely available. Use the Trinity Street pickup/drop-off zone for fastest access to the east entrance.

4. What is the dress code?

Smart casual / tech conference casual. Think jeans and a nice shirt, not suits and ties. The venue is well air-conditioned, so we recommend bringing a light layer. Comfortable shoes are strongly encouraged — you will be on your feet between sessions and the expo hall.

5. Will there be Wi-Fi?

Yes. Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue.

  • Network: FutureStack2026
  • Password: Will be printed on your badge and available via AI Ambassador (text the concierge number on your lanyard).
  • Bandwidth is provisioned for 800+ simultaneous devices. For heavy uploads or demos, a dedicated presenter network is available — ask at the AV desk.

6. What dietary options will be available?

All meals and snacks are included with your registration. Our catering covers:

  • Standard: Omnivore options
  • Vegetarian and Vegan: Clearly labeled stations at every meal
  • Gluten-Free: Dedicated GF options at breakfast, lunch, and snack breaks
  • Halal and Kosher: Available upon request
  • Allergy-Friendly: Nut-free and dairy-free options available; all items are labeled with common allergens

If you have a specific dietary requirement, please update your registration profile at least 7 days before the event or text our AI Ambassador on-site for assistance locating suitable options.

7. Is the venue accessible?

Yes. The Austin Convention Center is fully ADA-compliant:

  • Wheelchair access to all session rooms, the expo hall, and dining areas
  • Accessible restrooms on every floor
  • Reserved seating in all session rooms (front-row, aisle access)
  • Assistive listening devices available at the AV desk
  • Live captioning provided for all mainstage keynotes
  • Service animals are welcome

If you need specific accommodations, email accessibility@futurestack.dev or text our AI Ambassador on-site.

8. How does badge pickup work?

Badge pickup opens at 7:00 AM on October 15 at the East Entrance registration desk. Bring a government-issued photo ID matching your registration name. Badge pickup remains open throughout both days. If you registered under a different name than your ID, bring your confirmation email as backup.

Your badge includes:

  • Your name and company
  • QR code for session check-in and networking
  • Wi-Fi credentials
  • AI Ambassador phone number

9. Will sessions be recorded?

Yes. All mainstage keynotes and breakout sessions will be recorded and processed through ActionNotes, our AI-powered session capture system. Within 48 hours of each session, registered attendees will receive:

  • Full video recording
  • AI-generated summary and key takeaways
  • Searchable transcript
  • Slide deck (when provided by the speaker)

Access is available for 12 months post-event through your attendee portal.

10. What is the Code of Conduct?

FutureStack 2026 is dedicated to providing a harassment-free, inclusive experience for everyone. We do not tolerate harassment of any kind, including but not limited to: offensive comments related to identity, deliberate intimidation, stalking, photography without consent, sustained disruption, or unwelcome physical contact.

Violations can be reported to:

  • On-site: Any staff member wearing a red "STAFF" badge
  • Text: AI Ambassador (will escalate to the safety team immediately)
  • Email: conduct@futurestack.dev
  • Phone: (512) 555-0142 (staffed during event hours)

Full policy: futurestack.dev/conduct

11. How do I reach the AI Ambassador concierge?

AI Ambassador is your SMS and WhatsApp concierge for the event, powered by ai-ambassador.xyz.

  • SMS: Text (512) 555-0126
  • WhatsApp: Message the same number or scan the QR code on your lanyard

AI Ambassador can answer questions about the schedule, find session rooms, look up speaker bios, help with dietary needs, report issues, and more. Available from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM on both event days. If it cannot answer your question, it will connect you with a human team member.

12. Is there a networking opt-in or matchmaker?

Yes. FutureStack offers an AI-powered Networking Matchmaker. During registration (or on-site at the registration desk), you can opt in by sharing:

  • Your role and company
  • 3 topics you want to discuss
  • Whether you prefer 1:1 or small group introductions

The system matches you with other opted-in attendees and suggests meeting times during designated networking breaks. Introductions are sent via text or WhatsApp through AI Ambassador. Participation is entirely optional.

13. Is there a conference app?

No dedicated app to download. FutureStack 2026 is an app-free conference. Everything runs through:

  • AI Ambassador (SMS/WhatsApp) for real-time Q&A and schedule info
  • Web schedule: futurestack.dev/schedule (mobile-optimized, add to home screen)
  • QR codes on your badge and on signage for quick access

We made this choice to reduce friction and ensure accessibility for all attendees regardless of device.

14. What hotels do you recommend?

We have negotiated group rates at the following hotels (use code FSTACK26):

  • Hilton Austin (500 E 4th St) — $219/night, 4-minute walk — Book here
  • JW Marriott Austin (110 E 2nd St) — $239/night, 6-minute walk — Book here
  • Hampton Inn Downtown (200 San Jacinto Blvd) — $169/night, 8-minute walk — Book here

Block rates expire September 15, 2026. Book early — October is a busy season in Austin.

15. What will the weather be like?

Mid-October in Austin is generally pleasant. Expect:

  • Highs: 78-85 F (26-29 C)
  • Lows: 58-65 F (14-18 C)
  • Chance of rain: Low, but an occasional afternoon shower is possible

Bring sunglasses if you plan to explore outdoors during breaks. The venue itself is well air-conditioned — a light jacket or sweater is recommended for indoor comfort.

16. What should I bring?

  • Photo ID for badge pickup
  • Laptop / tablet if you want to follow along with technical sessions
  • Charger and portable battery (charging stations are available, but lines can form)
  • Light layer for the air-conditioned venue
  • Business cards or have your LinkedIn QR code ready for networking
  • Reusable water bottle (refill stations throughout the venue)
  • Confirmation email on your phone (just in case)

17. What is the refund and cancellation policy?

  • 60+ days before event (before Aug 16): Full refund
  • 30-59 days before event (Aug 17 - Sep 14): 50% refund
  • Less than 30 days before event (Sep 15+): No refund, but you may transfer your ticket to another person at no charge

To request a refund or transfer, email tickets@futurestack.dev with your registration confirmation number.

18. What is the COVID / health policy?

FutureStack 2026 follows current CDC and local Austin Public Health guidelines. As of this writing:

  • Vaccination and testing are not required for entry
  • Masks are welcome but not mandatory
  • Hand sanitizer stations are placed throughout the venue
  • If you feel unwell, please stay home — we will issue a full refund or transfer regardless of the cancellation window
  • Rapid test kits are available at the registration desk, free of charge

Policy may be updated closer to the event if public health conditions change. Check futurestack.dev/health for the latest.

19. Is childcare available?

Yes. We are partnering with KiddieCorp to offer on-site childcare for children ages 6 months to 12 years during event hours (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM both days). The childcare room is located in Room 8A on the ground floor.

  • Cost: $50/day per child (subsidized rate)
  • Pre-registration required: Sign up at futurestack.dev/childcare by October 1
  • Walk-in spots: Limited availability, first-come first-served

Children must be picked up by 6:00 PM. All KiddieCorp staff are background-checked and CPR-certified.

20. Are there after-hours or evening events?

Yes. Two official evening events are planned:

October 15 — Opening Night Reception

  • Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location: Venue rooftop terrace (weather permitting; indoor backup in Hall 2)
  • Includes: Appetizers, open bar (beer, wine, cocktails, non-alcoholic options), live music
  • Included with your registration; badge required for entry

October 16 — Closing Party at Stubb's BBQ

  • Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Location: Stubb's Bar-B-Q (801 Red River St), 10-minute walk from the venue
  • Includes: BBQ dinner, drinks, live Austin music
  • Included with your registration; badge required for entry

Shuttle service runs between the Convention Center and Stubb's from 6:45 PM to 11:30 PM.

Last updated: 2026-09-28 Questions? Text our AI Ambassador at (512) 555-0126 or email hello@futurestack.dev