Mainstage is the heart of ICON—when all attendees come together for a shared experience centered on visual storytelling. ICON13 features three keynotes and more than 45 speakers over two days, showcasing leading voices across the illustration industry.

Attendees can also take the stage through Kaleidoscope, a rapid-fire presentation series in the spirit of Pecha Kucha, Ignite, and Lightning Talks. Eight selected speakers present fast-paced narratives—20 slides, 20 seconds each—adding their voice to ICON lore. The call for Kaleidoscope submissions opens May 2026.

Mainstage talks take place on the evening of Thursday, July 16; all day Friday, July 17; and all day Saturday, July 18, at Falvey Hall in the Brown Center at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), with sessions running from 8:15 AM to 7 PM each day.