Sneak Peak at ICSAA 2026 Phoenix Sessions!
Not only do we get to meet in person with folks we already know surprisingly well from screens full of their little boxes, but we also get to share each others’ experience, strength, hope, psychology, neuroscience, art, and inspiration in person. International Conference of Secular AA sessions include topics covering MANY PATHS OF RECOVERY, the conference theme, with lots of open discussion.
EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH, & HOPE SPEAKERS:
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Dorothy H, founder of the first International Conference of Secular AA (“WAAFT”) in Santa Monica, CA, 2014
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Beth Aich on Childhood Trauma and Defense Mechanisms
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Local AZ ES&H of members involved in Arizona’s local secular recovery groups
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Joe C on “The Secret Bookshelf of Bill W” with history, humor, and musings about early AA and our future
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Dr. Noeréna A on “When Sobriety Isn’t the Hard Part” with practical tools to support connection, resilience, and long-term recovery when life gets ‘life-y’.
WORKSHOPS:
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Nancy B on “Recovery Tools: Building Resilience Through Accurate Self-Talk”
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Mary C on “Name It, Claim It, Tame It” on taming your inner critic.
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Angela S on “Online Safety in Recovery Spaces”
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Sandy J on “Illuminating Fears” on processing fears to “illuminate rather than ruminate”
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Chad C on “The Neuroscience of Serenity: A Secular Approach to Step 11”
PANELS:
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“Friends of Secular AA”: Members from NA, AlAnon, CoDA, and OA describe how recovery with connection and inclusion takes shape in their rooms
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“Religious Trauma and Recovery”: Hear powerful stories of harm, healing, autonomy, and hope through secular AA, while inviting attendees to share their own recovery experiences and resources
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“Ask-It Basket”: Get your recovery questions ready to be drawn from a basket for diverse panelists and attendees to debate
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“Rainbow Recovery” with panelists sharing relevant experiences of how their sexual and gender identity impacted their recovery journey
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“Happy, Joyous, & Free: Recovery in a World of Color” on recovery experiences in the Black, Indigenous, People of Color secular community
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“Sponsorship” explores the legacy of sponsorship and how guidance, connection, and shared experience continue to shape recovery across generations; reflects on what sponsorship looks like today and how those relationships help people grow and stay in recovery
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“Finally, It All Makes Sense: Neurodivergence and Recovery”, hear secular, sober neurodivergent people discuss how ADHD, autism, and dyslexia have affected their experience of recovery
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“A Vision for Us” with members of the Board of Secular AA on the work being done to support our mission, how all members can get involved, and a vision for the future with Q&A
LECTURES:
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Dr. John Aherwith “Does Your Body Already Know ‘Neuroscience’?” on the emerging science on the body’s role in addiction and recovery and what AA got right before the science caught up
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“Sexual Health in Recovery” with Dr. Raven Badger, the author of Sexuality and Addiction: Making Connections, Enhancing Recovery, presenting a model of sexual health, discussing links between sexuality and substance use, and facilitating a discussion of strategies for helping individuals who have been impacted by negative sexual experiences to recover
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Dr. Nick L on “Alcohol Myth Buster: Fact vs. Fiction” with empowering knowledge on the science of addiction and recovery
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Historian Brandon B with “A Remarkable Gay Life: the Story of Barry Leach, Author of Living Sober”
ONGOING ACCESS TO ACTIVITIES:
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Sensory/Quiet Room
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Sign-up Room for Impromptu Sessions of conference attendees’ choice of Home Groups, Sibling Secular Recovery Fellowships (AlAnon, NA, OA, CoDA, Tus Nua, RD, R2, etc.), Meditation, Yoga, Artistic Creativity…
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Water Park
PLUS, EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
To volunteer for the ICSAA Phoenix 2026 Conference Planning Committee, please email secularaa@gmail.com with the subject line "ICSAA Phoenix 2026 Volunteer" or click the button below.
with a Friday Night Dance Party and Saturday Night Open Mic
BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Book your room at The Hilton Phoenix Resort at The Peak via this link.​
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FYI: The booking link displays the room rate combined with the resort fee ($139 room + $15 resort fee = $154) anddefaults to 4 nights, but you can “Edit stay” (On a computer the option to edit stay is located to the top right. Online by cell, it’s one of the booking steps). Convention rates are valid Nov 10-19, 2026. Tax will be added to your final total. The Daily Resort Charge includes: Guest high speed internet access; River Ranch, miniature golf and health club access for 4; tennis court access and daily fitness classes for 2; local and toll-free calls. Parking is free for anyone.
Your room at The Hilton Phoenix Resort at The Peak is also bookable by calling 1-800-Hiltons (445-8667), just mention the group code 915 or the group name 2026 Convention in Phoenix AZ. You can also book by calling the hotel directly at 1-602-997-2626 and being connected with reservations.
The contracted cutoff date to secure the group discounted rate is October 23, 2026.
ABOUT THE ICSAA PHOENIX 2026 VENUE
Conference Dates: Nov. 13-15, 2026
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The conference venue is the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, 7677 North 16th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85020, USA
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It's an all-suites hotel where each room has a bedroom and living area with a pull-out sofa-bed separated by a bathroom and pocket doors - easy for teaming up with friends on expenses. At about $174/night, ($139 + $15 resort fees + taxes), the discounted price includes free parking, access to mini golf, lazy river, waterfall pool and slide (water at 80 F degrees year-round), gym, fitness classes, outdoor fountain terraces... We’re talking fellowship time on steroids, and plenty of space for a banquet and multiple sessions for inspirational presenters! The reduced room rate is less than half the going rate at the hotel and will be available to ICSAA participants from Nov 10-19, 2026.
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The hotel has restaurants, and there are three restaurants across the street: Aunt Chiladas Mexican Restaurant, Tutti Santi Ristorante by Nina, and RT O’Sullivan’s Sports Bar. More eateries are located within a 15-minute walk or 3-minute drive. The registration fee will cover some meals and snacks and, of course, coffee. The committee decided against an opt-in banquet evening as prices were prohibitive. When you register for the conference on Eventbrite, please designate your dietary preferences such as gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian for breakfasts and a lunch provided by the conference.
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The Hilton Phoenix Resort at The Peak does not include shuttle service to/from the airport. In late October 2026, we will email registrees with information on a messaging thread for conference attendees to coordinate with each other and volunteers for rides as worked very well in Orlando in 2024. Perhaps, book a driverless electric Jaguar SUV taxi, the "Waymo" for a unique Phoenix experience!
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For guests wishing to stay longer, Phoenix and Arizona have plenty to offer. By the way, average high and low temperatures in Phoenix, AZ in November are 77F / 54F (25C / 12C)! See our "Phoenix and Area Sites to Visit" section below!
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
Acknowledgements Specific to the Hotel Lands Contracted for ICSAA Phoenix 2026:
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We respectfully acknowledge that the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak resides on ancestral lands and that we are gathered on the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Piipaash (Maricopa) Jeved: that is, their traditional and ancestral homeland. They, along with their ancestors, the Huhugam (including the Hohokam), have lived in this region for thousands of years. The Huhugam were the original engineers of the vast canal systems that shaped the Salt River Valley, laying the foundation for modern-day Phoenix’s agricultural and urban landscape.
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Despite the impacts of colonization, displacement, and forced assimilation, the Akimel O’odham and Piipaash people continue to thrive, preserving their language, culture, and traditions. Today, their sovereign nations, including those of the Onk Akimel O’odham and Xalychidom Piipaash people of the Gila River Indian Community, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and the Ak-Chin Indian Community remain vital contributors to the stewardship of this land.
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We honor their resilience, history, and ongoing presence, and we recognize our responsibility to support Indigenous voices and initiatives. We encourage all who gather here to reflect on this land’s deep history and commit to fostering respect and collaboration with the Indigenous communities who have called it home since time immemorial.
