Welcome to 3D-Con 2026!

What is 3D-Con?

The National Stereoscopic Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1974, whose goals are to promote the study, collection and use of stereo photography. It has over 1,000 members. 3D-Con is traditionally the name of the NSA's annual convention, held somewhere different every year in the summertime.

3D-Con 2026 will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico from July 12 to July 19, 2026, at the Clyde Hotel. The hotel is located in downtown Albuquerque across from the city Civic Plaza and Convention Center. Free summer weekend concerts and entertainment will be literally right across the street from the hotel. An added bonus is the hotel location, two blocks from historic Route 66. This year is the 100th anniversary of the route's completion. City events celebrating the thoroughfare will also be available for our members to enjoy. Photo ops nearby include sculptures, the vibrant neon lights at night, and little-known treasures such as the Telephone Museum, all within a 3-minute walk from the Clyde.

Albuquerque offers a unique fare of cultural, historical and recreational activities. Conference attendees will have an opportunity to experience the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, which whisks passengers up to Sandia Crest on the west side of the city. At an elevation of 10,378 feet, a full view of the vast Rio Grande Valley is possible. Enjoy a walk or hike along the ridge and then refreshment at the tramway Ten 3 Restaurant. A special excursion to the Tinkertown Museum on the opposite side of the mountain is also planned. This museum is the culmination of over 40 years of assembling miniature wood carvings, over 50,000 glass bottles and animation projects that have been arranged to exhibit miniature Western towns. It has been described as "an eccentric collection of Americana," that many 3D photographers will appreciate.

Back down to the Albuquerque metro area, many historical and cultural museums offer cultural enrichment and 3D interest. Possible excursion stops include the National Museum of Nuclear Science where the development of the nuclear age is on full display. A chance to explore the National Hispanic Cultural Center and Art Museum and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center will provide added historical and cultural overview of the region. The hot-air ballooning culture is a long-standing and unique feature of this Rio Grande vicinity. The science behind ballooning and its development as a form of recreation is best explained at the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum.

No visit to New Mexico is complete without time to appreciate Santa Fe, the state's capital city. The mystique that began as a Spanish military station in the late 1600's is now a rich cultural mecca boasting art and historical significance. Sites around the Santa Fe Plaza include the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, and the Palace of the Governor and New Mexico History Museum (which houses a collection of 3d images tracing the history of the area into statehood). A stroll to Canyon Road, an artists colony very nearby, will add to an afternoon of gallery hopping and art appreciation. In addition to the plaza center, an excursion experience to Meow Wolf will engage your imagination and take you to a 3D space with plenty to entice playful exploration of optic design and ingenuity. There is plenty in Santa Fe to attract your attention and photographic eye.

No matter where you go to eat in the 47th state, New Mexican cuisine is easy to find. Be prepared to answer the question, "green, red, or Christmas?" Your answer will depend on what variety of heat you want on your enchilada, Frito Pie, or even your breakfast eggs. For the undecided, "Christmas" is the answer to discover the contrasting palate of both flavors of chile. Savor the heat and enjoy in the good company of other 3D enthusiasts this summer in Albuquerque!

What happens at a convention?

The convention has programming for the collector as well as the photographer. We set up a 3D Theater where you can watch hours of 3D slideshows and videos. We have a Trade Fair, with thousands of stereo cards for sale as well as 3D books and the latest 3D gadgets. There are workshops to learn about stereo techniques, and Special Interest Groups where like-minded people discuss particular aspects of stereoscopy. We have excursions to interesting and photogenic places. In addition, we hold contests for digital stereo photos and stereo cards. And we have Sessions on the History of Stereoscopic Photography.

Room hopping (see glossary) is encouraged at the convention.