2026 DC Cuddle Professionals Conference
POSTPONED TO 2027!!!
Event will be moved to 2027, stay tuned for more details. We are still currently looking to connect with vendors and sponsors, feel free to sign up.
May 14–17, 2026 | Washington, DC
Hosted by the Society of Cuddle Professionals
The Cuddle Professionals Conference is a gathering for touch practitioners, somatic healers, and cuddle therapists who believe in the power of consensual healing touch and human connection.
Our purpose is to bring together professionals from across the country to learn, share, and support one another through strengthening our practices, deepening our skills, and expanding the visibility of cuddle therapy as a respected profession.
Over four days, we’ll explore topics like trauma-informed touch, business growth, marketing for practitioners, professional ethics, and the science of connection. It’s part professional development, part community retreat and a beautiful warm space to learn, rest, and be reminded that our work matters.
We’re currently building this event with the help of volunteers and collaborators. If you’d like to get involved, sponsor, or help bring this vision to life, we’d love to hear from you.
Join our mailing list to stay updated as we announce speakers, open registration, and share exciting news!
Tickets & Pricing
Each ticket contributes to supporting the growth, legitimacy, and community of professional cuddlers worldwide.
Full access to all sessions + networking + cuddle events + vendor area + coffee/tea service
Next 35 tickets (closes May 7, 2026)
Same as above
Final 40 tickets (after May 8 – May 13)**
Same as above
Limited (5 total)
1 vendor table + 1 conference pass
Add-on
Access to all events, no table
Carmen De Jesus
Consent Educator & Cultural Strategist
Carmen is an evangelist of the Wheel of Consent® relational framework developed by Dr. Betty Martin. She has been working with Betty Martin since 2013 and the School of Consent since its inception in 2018. She explores the impact of intersectional identities, privilege, equity and power dynamics on consent, and brings a focus to cultivating equity and accountability to individuals and organizations. Carmen serves on the faculty at the School of Consent, guest faculty with the Surrogate Partner Collective, and Seven Directions® Breathwork. Carmen's desire is to help others access an embodied awareness of personal agency, sovereignty and responsibility within relationships. Consentisapractice.com
Instagram: @consentisapractice / @thewheelofconsent
Website: consentisapractice.com
Ishka Shir
Therapeutic Cuddler
Based out of Asheville NC. They care deeply about community, consent, social justice, and accountability. For more information look up the Asheville Cuddle Collective or HoldmeAVL.com
Presentation:
"How to build a supportive cuddle community- not just a monthly event"
The cuddle community I have built has extended far beyond the 6-12 monthly events that I host. Participants have created dinner parties, cuddle hiking club, and an "emergency cuddle" text thread.
As a cuddle collective we have outdoor picnics to watch the sunset on the mountains, offer FREE HUGS downtown, and help hold people in the group accountable for their actions. I'd love to share some of what I've learned in the past 11 years of building the Asheville Cuddle Collective.
Meet Our Speakers
Jean Franzblau
Founder of Cuddle Sanctuary
“Cuddle Boss: Inspiration & Wisdom From a Lengthy Cuddle Career”
Jean will share her journey from feeling disconnected and touch-deprived in Los Angeles to becoming a professional cuddler and ultimately leading one of the industry’s major organizations, Cuddle Sanctuary.
Her presentation will explore the evolution of her personal and professional path, with emphasis on business growth, media presence, community building, and consent-centered leadership. Jean will also reflect on the lessons, challenges, and lived experiences that shaped her work — offering practical insights and inspiration for practitioners looking to grow sustainably while staying aligned with their values.
Website: www.cuddlesanctuary.com
Grace Heer
Platonic Touch Professional and Life Coach
Grace believes that nurturing touch is necessary for our well-being. She is compassionate, empathetic and an ideal companion for those experiencing loneliness, disconnection, or the need for human touch.
As a Life Coach and a Platonic Touch professional, Grace has years of experience working with individuals, and is especially in tune with those healing from emotional trauma and grief. She works with people individually and in groups, practicing consent, boundaries, and grief recovery practices.
Grace is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Master Practitioner.
Presentation:
"Grief and Cuddling"
Everyone alive has experienced some sort of loss. Grief is real. It shows up in so many ways, affecting our bodies, minds, emotions and spirits. Join Grace Heer for an interactive presentation centered on grief, how it affects us, and how Cuddling can help along the healing journey.
Grace has a string of certifications and experience in Coaching, NLP and End of Life work, and has been active in the Cuddle world since 2018, coming to it through her own grief journey. She earned certifications from Cuddle Sanctuary and Cuddlist, serving as a Trainer for the latter in 2024-25. She has been in practice since 2019, serving individuals and hosting her own Graceful Cuddle workshops in Orange County, CA.
Joseph Honeycutt, M.A.
Researcher on Affectionate Communication & Professional Cuddling
Joseph will share findings from his groundbreaking research on professional cuddlers, including the first peer-reviewed study documenting how practitioners coordinate consensual, platonic touch with clients. He will also discuss stigma, affection deprivation, and his expanding research into the therapeutic potential of cuddle sessions, followed by Q&A.
Joseph is currently developing new research and a forthcoming book on professional cuddling. He is inviting practitioners to participate in interviews, surveys, and potentially a first-hand session experience to inform his work.
NOTE: All session experiences arranged for research purposes will be negotiated directly between the researcher and practitioner, including consent, compensation, and professional boundaries.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Joseph directly:
Email: josephehoneycutt@gmail.com
Samantha Pestana (formerly Varnerin)
Cuddle Therapist and Coach
Snuggle with Sam and Cuddle Career
Sam is a Boston-based cuddle therapist who believes marketing and sales aren't evil, but the way a lot of people do it might be. After going full-time in her practice Snuggle with Sam in 2017 and promptly going broke (despite viral media attention), she learned the hard way that being great at cuddling and having eyeballs on your website doesn’t mean people will book you.
She built Cuddle Career to help people that, like her, are great cuddle therapists but need help doing the sales and marketing thing so they get more of their best-fit clients. Through Cuddle Career (formerly Snuggle School), she’s helped practitioners build their practices without hating themselves.
Presentation:
“Marketing and Sales that Feels Like Care, Not Coercion”
Sam will help you integrate the caring, kind professional part of your work into your sales and marketing. Expect mindset reframes, areas to focus on, things to worry less about, practical tools and tips, permission to mess up, and interactive exercises that will make sales and marketing feel more aligned.
Conference Schedule
Schedule subject to minor adjustments as speakers are confirmed.
-
Wisconsin Room
8:00–9:00 AM
Committee + Volunteer Set Up
9:00–10:00 AM
Arrival, Coffee & Soft Landing Space
10:00–11:30 AM
Session Block (TBA)
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30–3:00 PM
Session Block (TBA)
3:00–4:30 PM
Grief & Cuddling — Grace Heer
4:30–5:30 PM
Opening Circle + Welcome
5:30–6:30 PM
Open Networking & Mingle
6:30 PM
Optional Group Dinner / Informal Networking -
Cordell & Wisconsin Rooms
8:00–9:30 AM
Wisconsin Room
Trauma in Session — TBD
Cordell Room
Men & Intimacy Panel — Facilitated by Mary
9:30–11:00 AM
Wisconsin Room
The Wheel of Consent — Carmen de Jesus
Cordell Room
Session Block (TBA)
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Wisconsin Room
Cuddle Adjacent Panel — Facilitated by Crystal
Cordell Room
Session Block (TBA)
12:30 – 2:00 PM
Lunch
2:00–3:30 PM
Wisconsin Room
Stigma & Cuddle Therapy — Joseph Honeycutt
Cordell Room
Session Block (TBA)
3:30–4:30 PM
No Programming
5:00–9:00 PM
Public Cuddle Event -
Cordell & Wisconsin Rooms
8:00–9:30 AM
Wisconsin Room
Screening Clients / Finding Clients — TBD
Cordell Room
Share Your Training Program — Roundtable
9:30–11:00 AM
Wisconsin Room
Jean’s Journey to Industry Leader — Jean Franzblau
Cordell Room
Building a Cuddle Community — Ishka Shir
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Cordell Room
Being Safe in Sessions & Events — Crystal & Davion
12:30 – 2:00 PM
Lunch
2:00–3:30 PM
Wisconsin Room
History of Cuddling & Where It’s Going — Mary & Davion
Cordell Room
Session Block (TBA)
3:30–4:30 PM
No Programming
5:00–9:00 PM
Public Cuddle Event -
Wisconsin Room
8:00–9:30 AM
Best Practices & Ethics — Jasmine & Mary
9:30–11:00 AM
Industry Vision & Society of Cuddle Professionals
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Closing Circle & Integration
The Bethesdan Hotel
Hotel & Accommodations
We’re gathering at The Bethesdan Hotel where our conference sessions, connection spaces, and community moments will unfold.
Staying on-site means you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. No commuting. No rushing. Just an easy flow between workshops, conversations in the lobby, shared meals, and the comfort of your own room upstairs.
Located in the heart of Bethesda, just outside Washington, DC, the hotel offers modern rooms, on-site dining, and walkable access to restaurants and Metro. Whether you’re joining us from nearby or traveling in, we encourage you to book early and stay where the connection is happening.
We can’t wait to fill the space with warmth, learning, and community. But if you wish to stay elsewhere, please reach out to us for a list of accommodations near our conference space.
Want to Save Money and Make a Connection?
Traveling solo? Fill out our short Room Share Form to be paired with another attendee who’s also looking to share a hotel room. It’s a great way to cut costs, make a new friend, and start the conference with a built-in connection.
Find a Roommate → CLICK HERE
Public Cuddle Events
Open to All Cuddle Enthusiasts!
We’re so excited to offer two special public cuddle events during the 2026 DC Cuddle Conference weekend. They're designed especially for cuddle lovers, connection seekers, and community builders.
Friday, May 15 | 5:00–9:00 PM
Saturday, May 16 | 5:00–9:00 PM
The Bethesdan Hotel, Bethesda, MD
Whether you’ve attended cuddle events before or are new to this, come experience connection, warmth, and community with some of the leading professionals in the industry. These events are joyful, consent-centered, and open to everyone who wants to connect, relax, and share safe cuddle space.
✨ Cuddle Party with Mary Sorensen — certified facilitator & industry leader
✨ Cuddle Social with Crystal Cavitt — joy-centered connection and community vibes CO-Hosted by Grace Heer of Graceful Cuddles!
If you already have a ticket to attend the conference, this is included, but if you just want to attend the public cuddle events you can purchase that separately. Come to one or come to both! Invite a friend, bring your curiosity, and spread the word.
👉 Grab your tickets here
Have questions? Reach out to Crystal at crystaltherapy.cc@gmail.com.We look forward to seeing you there!
Provider: Mary Sorensen
Website: Cuddle Party
Focus: Fostering authentic connection, communication, consent, and embodied presence
Provider: Crystal Cavitt
Website: Cuddle Pittsburgh
Focus: Addressing vulnerability, loneliness, and emotional well-being
Support the Cuddle Industry & Be Seen by Practitioners Nationwide!
Sponsors help us make this event affordable for touch practitioners and help legitimize the growing field of cuddle therapy and platonic touch.
$500
Logo in printed program + logo on website
$1000
Bronze perks + social media mentions + vendor table + logo on conference T-shirt
$2500
Silver perks + speaking opportunity or introduction slot + priority booth placement + 1 complimentary ticket
$5000
Gold perks + top-tier visibility, “Presented By” recognition, named conference space, double vendor booth, full-page program ad, two tickets, and a dedicated sponsor spotlight.
Download the Sponsorship Agreement
Interested in supporting the 2026 DC Cuddle Conference as a sponsor?
Thank you! Sponsorship helps us create a stronger, more accessible, and more professional industry for everyone.
[Download the Sponsorship Agreement]
Support the Conference with a Small Donation
Every bit helps! If you believe in the future of consensual touch and cuddle therapy — and you want to help make this event more inclusive and impactful — your donation makes a real difference.
Whether it’s $5 or $500, your support helps cover speaker travel, scholarships, community access, and more.
Vendor Marketplace
We’re opening a limited number of vendor spaces for organizations that align with our mission. If you offer wellness products and cuddle gear to business services and education, then please omplete the form below if you would like to showcase your products or services to our attendees.