Onward Summit 2026

You're In. Here's Everything.

Bookmark this page — it's the one place with the schedule shape, venue, travel notes, and the practical stuff you need before you fly in. We'll keep it updated as the last day-of details get locked.

Dates
Oct 4–6, 2026
Venue
Tell Studios40 Engelwood Dr., Suite B ↗
Orion Township, MI
Airport
DTW · ~45 min
Dress code
Casual. That's it.

Summit (VIP) ticket holders — don't book a Tuesday flight out.

Your Tuesday evening is the VIP finale, and it runs late (the details are coming to you by email). If you're on a Summit (VIP) ticket, plan to fly out Wednesday morning or later. This is the single most expensive mistake someone in this group can make with their travel — so if that's you, go double-check your flight now.

The shape of the three days

Schedule

Important: Sunday is arrival + evening, not a full day of formal sessions. The two full days of sessions are Monday and Tuesday. Here's the current agenda — the shape of each day is locked, though a session could still shift a slot on the day. Day-of logistics (parking, rides, contacts) come by email.

Updated Oct 1
SundayOct 4
11:00 AMMastermind MeetupOnly for current Studio Sherpas Mastermind members — not part of any Onward ticket tier.Mastermind Members Only
8:00 PMOpening Night Mixer — cocktail meet & greet at Union Woodshop (upstairs), Clarkston, MIAll Tiers
10:00 PMGoodnight
MondayOct 5
8:00 AMStudio opens — coffee & bagelsAll Tiers
9:00 AMKickoff — welcome & intros
10:00 AMSession — Patrick Moreau & Grant Peele
11:00 AMSession — Jo Jensen
12:00 PMLunch
1:00 PMSession — Dr. Eugene Choi
2:00 PMSession — Patrick Moreau & Ryan Koral: Partnerships
3:00 PMHot seats
4:00 PMWorkshop
6:00 PMDinner & fun at Cherry Hill Lanes (bowling)Ascent & Summit (VIP)
TuesdayOct 6
8:00 AMStudio opens — coffee & bagelsAll Tiers
9:00 AMSession — Patrick Moreau & Ryan Koral: Delegation
10:00 AMHot seats / panel
12:00 PMLunch
1:00 PMSession — Jefe Greenheart
3:00 PMHot seats
4:00 PMClosing session
6:00 PMDinner & fun at The Hub, Auburn HillsAscent & Summit (VIP)

Summit (VIP) ticket holders: the Sunday VIP dinner and the Tuesday finale after dinner aren't listed here on purpose — times and addresses are coming to you by email.

Confirmed so far

Speakers

More being announced — the full, current lineup always lives on the main event page.

Jo Jensen

Jo Jensen

Producer · MovieGoer
Patrick Moreau

Patrick Moreau

Director · Muse Storytelling
Dr. Eugene Choi

Dr. Eugene Choi

Performance Coach
Jefe Greenheart

Jefe Greenheart

Founder · Storyhouse Studio
Ryan Koral

Ryan Koral

Host · Studio Sherpas
What your badge color means

Your Ticket, At a Glance

Quick reference for what's included at each level — useful if you're trying to remember what you signed up for, or thinking about upgrading.

IncludedBase CampAscentSummit (VIP)
Both days of sessions✓✓✓
Breakfast + lunch, both days✓✓✓
Sunday Opening Night Mixer✓✓✓
Session recordings to keep—✓✓
Swag—Tee + mugHoodie
Monday night out at Cherry Hill Lanes (bowling + pizza)—✓✓
Tuesday night out at The Hub, Auburn Hills—✓✓
Sunday VIP dinner w/ Ryan & speakers——✓
Tuesday campfire finale at Ryan's house——✓
Ryan's curated reading stack——✓

Thinking about upgrading? There are a handful of Summit (VIP) spots still open — email support@studiosherpas.com and we'll get you sorted.

Everything else

Questions, Answered

Travel
Should I fly into Detroit (DTW) or Flint (FNT)?
Fly into Detroit Metro (DTW) — it's about 45 minutes from the venue and has far more flight options. Flint (FNT) is technically closer to Orion Township, but with a lot fewer routes, so DTW is almost always the better call.
Do I need a rental car?
Plan on having a car, or at least a reliable rideshare plan. Orion Township is suburban, rideshare coverage thins out at night, and the Sunday mixer, Monday night at Cherry Hill Lanes and the Tuesday evening plans are all off-site. A rental (or a ride from someone who has one) will save you a headache.
Where do I park?
Park at the studio, 40 Engelwood Dr., Suite B. If anything about parking or arrival changes, it'll be in the final logistics email and the attendee WhatsApp group.
How do I get to the evening events?
The Sunday mixer, Monday night and Tuesday night are all off-site, all in the evening, and all the kind of night where you shouldn't be the one driving. Plan on carpooling: line up rides on the Onward Travel Board or in the attendee WhatsApp group, and watch the final logistics email for any group plan leaving from the venue.
Can I carpool with other attendees?
Yes — that's what the Onward Travel Board is for. Post your flight, where you're staying, and whether you're renting, have empty seats, or need a ride — then see who's landing around the same time as you. No login: you get a private link to update your entry later. Rides to the evening events are exactly the kind of thing to sort out there.
I'm driving in — how long is it from my city?
Rough drive times to Orion Township, MI (double-check against your own GPS — these are estimates):
Chicago, IL~4.5–5 hrs
Columbus, OH~3.5–4 hrs
Cleveland, OH~3–3.5 hrs
Indianapolis, IN~5–5.5 hrs
Toronto, ON~4–4.5 hrs
Coming from Ontario? Bring your passport (or enhanced license) for the border crossing. A good chunk of this group is within a day's drive — worth checking the travel board to find a ride-share.
Before You Come
What's the dress code?
Casual. Come as you are.
What's the weather going to be like?
Early October in Michigan usually means highs in the low 60s°F, lows in the low-to-mid 40s°F, and a decent chance of rain. Bring layers and a jacket — some of the evening plans are at least partly outdoors.
What should I bring?
Laptop or notebook for sessions, a charger, a water bottle, comfortable shoes (you'll be on your feet more than you think), and layers for the weather above.
How do I get the most out of this?
Show up with the one problem you most want solved and your actual numbers (pricing, revenue, whatever's relevant). The hot seats and small-group conversations move fast — the people who get the most out of them arrive ready to talk specifics, not generalities.
I have a dietary restriction or allergy — who do I tell?
Tell us on the attendee form (sizing + dietary needs) — if you haven't filled it out yet, do it now. If anything changed since you sent it, email support@studiosherpas.com before Sunday so the caterer knows.
What size swag do you need from me?
Ascent gets a tee, Summit (VIP) gets a hoodie. Sizes come from the attendee form above, which asks for tee size and hoodie size separately (people often wear different sizes in each) plus a unisex vs. women's cut preference. Haven't filled it out? Do it now and we'll do our best.
Food
Which meals are covered, and which aren't?
Breakfast and lunch both days, every tier. The Sunday Opening Night Mixer is open to everyone too. Everything else — the Monday and Tuesday nights out, the Sunday VIP dinner and the Tuesday finale — depends on your ticket tier (see Your Ticket above). If you're on Base Camp, your Monday and Tuesday evenings are open — you're a short drive from downtown Lake Orion and Rochester if you want to grab dinner on your own.
Is there coffee?
Yes. There will be coffee.
Tickets & Changes
Can I upgrade my ticket?
Yes — there are a handful of Summit (VIP) spots still open. Email support@studiosherpas.com and we'll get you upgraded and squared away on the price difference.
Can I bring someone from my team?
Yes — a second ticket for someone from your shop is 30% off. Just email support@studiosherpas.com and ask.
Can my spouse or partner come to the evening events?
By default, no — only one attendee is admitted per ticket, for both on-site and off-site parts of the event (including the evening events). If you've got a special circumstance, email support@studiosherpas.com and we'll see what we can do.
Something came up and I can't make it.
Registration is non-refundable, but you've got two options: transfer your ticket to a friend or colleague, or take an Onward Voucher (equal to what you paid) toward next year. Transfers are free until 4 weeks before the event, $20 from 4 weeks out to 7 days out, and can't be made inside 7 days. Email support@studiosherpas.com as soon as you know. Full policy is in the Event Terms.
On-Site
Am I going to be on camera?
Yes — photos and video are taken throughout the event, and registering grants us the right to use that material. If you'd rather not be recognizable in anything we post, tell Ryan or Tina on-site and we'll take it down.
Can I record the sessions myself?
No, not without the organizer's permission.
When do I get the session recordings?
Included on Ascent and Summit (VIP) tickets. You'll get a link by email after the event — exact timing to come.
Do speakers share their slides?
Most do, and we'll pass those along after the event. Material belongs to the speaker who made it — if something's marked attendee-only, please don't share it more widely.
Is there wifi?
Yes — the guest network name and password are posted on-site and in your Onward dashboard.
Is there a hashtag?
Yes — #onwardsummit. If you post your own photos, tag it so we can find and share them.
My flight's delayed / I'm running late. Who do I contact?
Post in the attendee WhatsApp group (the invite is in your Onward dashboard and your welcome email) — that's the fastest way to reach Ryan or Tina on the day. You'll also get their direct cell numbers in the final logistics email. Until then, reach us at support@studiosherpas.com.
I have an accessibility need.
Email us ahead of time at support@studiosherpas.com — wheelchair access or anything else — and we'll make sure it's handled before you arrive.
Extras
I'm extending my trip — what's worth doing around here?
Ask Ryan or Tina on-site — they've got opinions on coffee, food and what's worth the drive. Downtown Lake Orion, Rochester and Clarkston are all close, and Detroit is under an hour away.
Where's the nearest urgent care or pharmacy?
There are pharmacies and urgent care clinics within a few minutes of the venue. Ask Ryan or Tina on-site and we'll point you to the closest one — and for anything serious, dial 911.

Still have a question?

If it's not answered here, just email us — we'll get back to you fast.

Email support@studiosherpas.com