New to FOBA? You’re not alone! Join the First Timers Club and you can learn what to expect at the conference, make new friends, and get your questions answered.
The First Timers Club will hold a series of drop-in virtual FOBA information sessions in March, April, and May, and meet up in person at the FOBA conference in June. See the schedule at right for our planned virtual meeting dates. If you can’t make a session live, don’t worry; you can view the recording later on.
Sign up for First Timers Club by using the form here. Club members will receive meeting reminders and a link to join the virtual meetings. Join the Club anytime!
Your guide is Vieve Kaplan. Email any questions you have to first-timers@focusonbookarts.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the schedule of workshops be available?
A: Stay tuned! We’ll release the schedule of workshops in late February or early March. FOBA will email you and we will also link to the page here.
Q: When can I register for the conference?
A: Registration will open on March 28, 2026, at 8 am Pacific Time.
Q: I’ve been to FOBA in the past, but I have questions about this year’s conference. Can I join the First Timers Club?
A: Of course! All are welcome to join. Whether it’ll be your first time or your tenth time at FOBA, you’re sure to learn something new and make new friends. Each conference is distinctive, and 2026 is sure to be a wonderful event!
Q: I know I can’t make the scheduled First Timer virtual meetings. Should I still join the Club?
A: Please do! You can view the recordings online, meet us in person at the conference, and identify yourself as a First Timer at the conference.
Q: I see that FOBA starts on Wednesday, June 24, but I can’t make it to the conference until Friday. Is it possible to attend just part of the Conference?
A: Yes, you can come for just part of the conference. Some participants come for the whole conference, and others attend just for a day or the weekend. FOBA offers a variety of workshop lengths—1-day, 2-day, and 3-day workshops—so you’re sure to find something to fit your schedule!
Date & Time
| Topic | Day/Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| First Timers Club: Focus on Workshops | Sunday, March 22 | 10:30 am Pacific Time |
| First Timers Club: Focus on Housing | Monday, April 20 | 6 pm Pacific Time |
| First Timers Club: Focus on Fun | Wednesday, May 20 | 6 pm Pacific Time |
| First Timers Club Conference Meet-up | Wednesday, June 24, at FOBA | 5 pm Pacific Time |
When meeting recordings are available, we will post them here.