A convention built specifically for adults on the autism spectrum is relocating to Salt Lake County this month, with organizers expecting close to 400 people to attend. AutCon will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 S. in West Valley City, bringing a gathering once rooted in Provo to a new corner of the Wasatch Front.
AutCon is described as a convention for adults on the autism spectrum, according to ABC4 Utah, which reports the event is intended for all adults on the spectrum and will include panelists, speakers and quiet rooms for attendees who need a break from the crowd. The outlet also reports that tickets cost $45 and include lunch, with attendees able to register through AutCon's website by selecting the Salt Lake City event.
Taylor Walters will serve as the convention's keynote speaker, delivering a talk titled “Life Hacks.” Per the station's report, Walters said his keynote will address living with autism, developing attitude, grit and determination, being oneself and finding success. Walters joined ABC4 Utah host Nicea Degering on Good Things Utah to discuss the event, telling the program that society is not built for neurodivergent minds.
A Space Built Around Autistic Culture
Organizers behind AutCon describe their goal as creating an autistic space where autistic culture can be celebrated, authentic self-expression and friendship are supported, and helpful information is shared, according to autconsva.com. The same source notes that the environment at AutCon is designed to be accommodating and autism-friendly, with low-stress speakers, panels and other opportunities built into the schedule. Walters, per the same account, has framed the convention as aiming to provide a safe place for people with autism and other neurodiversities to be themselves and network.
AutCon was established to address a gap in autism resources, particularly for adults, according to columbusserves.org. That source also states the 2026 event will feature renowned speakers, workshops and community partnerships, and is expected to reach close to 400 participants along the Wasatch Front. The organization behind AutCon had been eyeing an expansion into Salt Lake City, and potentially the Phoenix area, as early as 2024, according to KSL.com.
From a Sold-Out Provo Event to a Second Annual Convention
AutCon's roots trace back to ScenicView Academy in Provo, where the seventh annual convention kicked off as a two-day, sold-out event in May 2024 with a Dungeons and Dragons theme, KSL.com reported. That gathering drew adults with autism from across the country, though the majority of attendees came from Utah, and organizers at the time said they believed AutCon was the largest convention of its kind in the world. Sessions that year covered parenting, dating, making friends, career options, therapy, emotional management and recreational activities.
A separate Provo-era convention featured panels and workshops focused on mental health, independent living, health and fitness, relationships and other topics approached from the autistic perspective, ABC4 Utah reported in earlier coverage. That event also included a resource and job fair with companies such as Texas Instruments and PowerStream Technology. The West Valley City gathering is AutCon's 2026 convention and its first time in Salt Lake County.
Autism Diagnoses Among Utah Children
The convention's arrival comes as autism prevalence data for Utah children continues to shift. Autism prevalence among eight-year-old Utah children held steady at approximately one in 37, or 2.7%, based on 2022 data, according to the University of Utah Health CTSI. Among four-year-olds, prevalence rose from 1.3% in 2020 to 1.8% in 2022, the same report found, while the share of four-year-olds suspected of having autism but still awaiting diagnostic evaluation dropped sharply, from 33% in 2020 to 10% in 2022.
For now, AutCon's focus remains squarely on adults already navigating life on the spectrum. With quiet rooms, panelists and a keynote built around resilience and self-acceptance, the West Valley City convention aims to give attendees both practical tools and a community built in their own image.
