Where and when is the 2026 SPAH Convention ?

The 63rd Anniversary SPAH Convention was in St. Louis, Missouri August 11-15, 2026.
We gathered at the Sheraton Westport Chalet, hosted by the Gateway Harmonica Club of St. Louis.

About St. Louis and the Gateway Harmonica Club

Who performed this year?

SPAH is pleased to welcome so many excellent performers who will be coming to play at the 2026 SPAH Convention in St Louis, including (LIST UPDATED April 1st): Buddy Greene & the Hamstring Band, Peter Madcat Ruth with Stephen Seifert,  Lee Oskar, Bill Barrett, Rob Paparozzi, Lauren Williams with Trent Souder, Rodrigo Eberienos, Aki Kumar, Sandy Weltman, Tom Stryker’s Big Band, Jarred Goldweber, Michael Peloquin, Andrew Duncanson, The Paul Davies Trio, Bill Morris, Jim Craven, Pete Hogge, Kongsheng Showcase:  Kyren Allen & Rohan Singhal, The Gateway Harmonica Club, St Louis favorites: Ribtip & Rogers, and Michael Rubin’s Variety Show, in addition to our amazing Youth Scholars. The SPAH virtuoso Troubadours for 2026 are: Robert Bonfiglio, Dave Moore, Jerry Devillier, John Long and Deak Harp. They will be in the hallways daily to play & share what they know with all who stop by to listen and engage – Please stop by and talk to them; it will be most worthwhile.

As always, there will be a few surprise guests when you arrive at the Convention! If you arrive by noon on Tuesday 11th, you will be able to pick up your pre-registered badge(s), enjoy the 3:30pm Welcome Reception, and prepare for the Blues Blowoff that evening.

 

Here is a preliminary 2026 SPAH Convention Schedule draft – please note this schedule is subject to change.  CLICK Wed-Sat sheets TO ENLARGE.  Note that evening concerts start at 6:45pm so that we have plenty of time for the Jams after the shows.

Registration Details

NOTE: Pre-registration on this website to attend the 2026 Convention in person ENDED on July 31st.  Registration in person at the Convention Hotel is available, see this page for details.  At the Hotel, you can register for the Full Convention, or for any single day or evening, subject to capacity limits.

Please consider a donation to the SPAH William Rosebush Youth Fund when you register, so SPAH can continue to bring young people to the instrument and to our community.

Registration to attend ONLINE/Virtually is available on this website and closed on August 9.

Booking a Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel room for the 2026 SPAH Convention

NOTE: Availability of hotel rooms at the SPAH Discounted rate of  $140 (plus tax) per night expired on  July 21, 2026

If you still need to book your room, note that there are no more rooms at the SPAH rate. 

Staying at the Convention Hotel provide you with the best experience at a SPAH Convention, and ensures you won’t miss a thing!  About St. Louis and the Gateway Harmonica Club

About the Hotel

Click here for details about the 2026 Convention hotel.

Click this link to reach the Hotel Booking Page for the 2026 SPAH Convention, at standard room rates.

Advertising in the SPAH Convention Program

SPAH welcomes advertisements from performers, vendors, teachers or anyone who would like to reach those attending the Convention, typically numbering 450 or more. Prices for a half page Convention Program advertisement start at $100 (a 1/2 page is 4 1/2″ x 3 3/4″).

Please download this document for ad specs, prices, options and details.

What happens at a SPAH Convention?

If you have ever attended a SPAH Convention, then you know it is an amazing 5-day musical and educational experience, with over 40 seminars on a variety of topics, and more than 20 world-class performances, day & night.  There are also amazing jams in the hallways during the day, and evening jams for many genres: blues, jazz, bluegrass, country and gospel. We also feature renowned SPAH Troubadours, who are in the hallways daily to bring you music and insight into what they do and how.

Above all, it is a place to immerse yourself in the music, culture, and people of the harmonica world, and experience the camaraderie of the SPAH community.

For more details about the experience, click here

SPAH Convention Policies

Please note that SPAH has a few, common sense, Convention attendee policies concerning marketing & selling products and services. SPAH expects everyone to follow these when attending, or participating in the Convention. Please make note of Convention Marketing Policies here.

Getting involved in the SPAH Convention

There are a multitude of ways for you become involved in each SPAH Convention, as if attending and enjoying the company of amazing and sharing talent isn’t enough. We highly recommend it!  Check this page to do all of this, and for more details and info about how to proceed.

You could:

• • • • Volunteer to help at the Convention. CLOSED
        SPAH provides a fair work-trade deal, offering attendance credit at the Convention in exchange for your help
      •  Nominate your favorite players and legends for SPAH Awards CLOSED
      •  Propose a Seminar topic to present at the Convention CLOSED
      • Help up remember those SPAH members who have passed CLOSED
      •  Join us at one of the two organized Breakfasts  
      • Tours of St Louis in 2026 are no longer available.

Check this page  for more details and info about how to proceed!