Where and when is the SPAH Convention happening?

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

About St. Louis and the Gateway Harmonica Club

Who is Coming 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 Goldwebber, Michael Peloquin, Andrew Duncanson, The Paul Davies Trio, Bill Morris, Jim Craven, Pete Hogge, Eric Noden, The Gateway Harmonica Club, 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 Performance Schedule draft – please note this schedule is subject to change.  SPAH will publish draft schedules WITH seminar details once our sessions & presenters have been decided. CLICK TO ENLARGE

Registration Details

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.

The preferred and easiest way for you to register for the Convention in advance is here on this website. However, if you are unable to register online, you can write a check, print, complete and mail the Registration form here. There is also a registration option through the STORE here on this website to choose to pay by check at checkout. once your check arrives at the SPAH PO Box, the registration team confirms your payment and you are done.

Registration to attend ONLINE/Virtually opens on May 1st & closes on August 9.

Booking a Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel room for the SPAH Convention

NOTE: Please book Hotel rooms at the SPAH Discounted rate of  $140 (plus tax) per night by July 21, 2026

Please book your room soon, as rooms at the SPAH rate for some nights sell out fast.

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 Convention hotel.

Click this link to reach the Hotel Booking Page for SPAH Convention attendees.

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 Black & White half page Convention Program advertisement start at $60 (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! You could:

• • • • Volunteer to help at the Convention.
        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
      •  Propose a Seminar topic to present at the Convention
      • Help up remember those SPAH members who have passed
      •  Join us at one of the two organized Breakfasts  
      • And, take a Tour of St. Louis!

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