Three years of daily cold plunges have taken me to some wild places — frozen lakes, DIY stock tank setups in my garage, and more biohacking meetups than I can count. But nothing compares to walking the expo floor at Dave Asprey’s annual conference and seeing hundreds of cutting-edge cold exposure technologies under one roof.
This year, the conference formerly known as the Biohacking Conference has evolved into BEYOND — and if you’re serious about cold plunge protocols, this is the event to have on your calendar. Here’s everything I know about the BEYOND Biohacking Conference 2026 and why cold plunge enthusiasts specifically need to be in Austin this May.
Event Details: Dates, Location, and Tickets
The BEYOND Biohacking Conference 2026 runs May 27–29 at The Fairmont Austin (101 Red River St., Austin, TX 78701). This is Dave Asprey’s 13th annual event — now rebranded to reflect an expanded focus on longevity science, consciousness, and next-level human optimization alongside the hands-on biohacking we all show up for.
Ticket tiers break down like this:
- Explorer Pass ($1,999) — Main stage access, daily Danger Coffee, Dave Asprey–approved lunches, expo floor and Tech Playground access, plus the DJ Steve Aoki dance party. This is your baseline for getting hands-on with cold plunge demos.
- Visionary Pass ($2,999) — Everything above plus health testing (valued at $399), injection therapy, CME credits, and preferred seating. Worth it if you want quantified data from the on-site testing stations to pair with your cold exposure experiments.
- Luminary VIP ($5,499) — The full experience: VIP dinner with Dave Asprey, exclusive lounge, priority session registration, and premium swag. If you’re a practitioner or coach looking to network at the highest level, this is the move.
Registration is open now at beyondconference.com. The event expects 3,000–5,000 attendees, so don’t sleep on this — especially for VIP tiers.
The Tech Playground: Cold Plunge Central
If you’re reading Ice Basin, the Tech Playground is where you’ll spend most of your time. This is the multi-floor experiential expo featuring over 150 exhibiting brands with the most advanced health and wellness tech on the planet. You don’t just watch demos — you climb in, strap on, and try everything.
Cold plunge therapy is explicitly confirmed as part of the Tech Playground lineup. Based on previous years and the vendor categories announced so far, here’s what cold plunge enthusiasts should expect to find on the floor:
- Cold plunge tubs and systems — Expect major brands showcasing their latest chillers, barrel-style tubs, and plunge pools. Previous years have featured companies like Plunge, Ice Barrel, and BlueCube. This is your chance to test drive models side-by-side before buying.
- Contrast therapy setups — The combination of cold plunge stations near sauna demos and infrared therapy booths means you can run a real contrast protocol right on the expo floor. I’ve done this at past conferences and the data from my WHOOP 4.0 afterward was some of the cleanest HRV spikes I’ve recorded.
- Cryotherapy chambers — Whole-body and localized cryo units are always well-represented. Great for comparing the experience against a true cold water immersion.
- PEMF therapy and recovery tools — Pulsed electromagnetic field devices pair beautifully with a post-plunge recovery protocol. Worth trying if you haven’t yet.
The key advantage of the Tech Playground over just browsing Amazon is feel. Water temperature, tub depth, entry design, chiller noise — these details matter when you’re choosing a cold plunge setup, and you can’t evaluate them from a product page.
Sessions and Speakers Cold Plunge Enthusiasts Shouldn’t Miss
The 2026 speaker lineup features 100+ experts across longevity, brain optimization, metabolic health, and consciousness. While the full session schedule hasn’t dropped yet, here are the confirmed speakers and topic areas that directly overlap with cold exposure science:
- Dave Asprey — The godfather of biohacking always covers thermal stress protocols in his keynotes. His takes on mitochondrial function and cold exposure are foundational for anyone in this space.
- Dr. Gabrielle Lyon — Board-certified physician and muscle-centric medicine expert. Her work on metabolic health connects directly to how cold exposure activates brown fat and improves insulin sensitivity.
- Dr. Dave Rabin — Neuroscientist and creator of Apollo Neuro. His research on the nervous system response to stress (including cold stress) is incredibly relevant.
- Jim Kwik — Brain performance coach. Cold plunges are a cornerstone of his morning routine, and he’s spoken about the cognitive benefits at previous conferences.
Topic tracks confirmed for 2026 include Performance, Energy & Evolution and Biohacking & Longevity — both likely to feature cold exposure protocol breakdowns. Keep an eye on the official schedule page as session details get released.
Beyond the main stage, the Hacktivations are where it gets interesting. These are live, immersive biohacking sessions including guided breathwork (think Wim Hof–style breathing paired with cold exposure), HRV training, and sound baths. If you’ve never combined a structured breathwork protocol with a cold plunge, prepare to have your mind blown.
What to Pack: The Cold Plunge Enthusiast’s Conference Kit
I’ve attended enough of these events to know exactly what separates a prepared attendee from someone scrambling. Here’s my recommended packing list for BEYOND 2026:
- Quick-dry swim trunks — You will want to hop into a cold plunge demo. Bring at least two pairs so you always have a dry option. Board shorts with a liner work great.
- Microfiber changing towel / dry robe — Essential for warming up between demos without soaking your conference clothes. A compact dry robe rolls up small enough for a backpack.
- Waterproof fitness tracker — Track your HRV, heart rate, and skin temperature across different plunge setups. Being able to compare biometric data between tubs is insanely valuable when you’re shopping for your own setup.
- Insulated water bottle — Austin in late May averages 90°F. You’ll be alternating between cold plunges and a hot convention center. Stay hydrated.
- Reef-safe sandals — Quick on, quick off footwear for walking between wet and dry areas on the expo floor.
- A notebook or notes app — You’ll want to capture protocols, temperature settings, timing sequences, and product details. I use my phone’s voice memos to record notes between sessions — way faster than typing when your hands are still numb from a plunge.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of BEYOND 2026
Here’s my tactical advice after years of attending biohacking conferences:
Hit the Tech Playground first thing. The expo floor gets progressively more crowded after the morning keynote lets out. If you want quality time with cold plunge vendors — asking about chiller specs, water capacity, filtration systems — go early before the rush. Tuesday morning (Day 1) is typically the lightest.
Run your own contrast protocol. Map out where the cold plunge stations, saunas, and infrared setups are on the floor. Build a circuit: 2–3 minutes cold, 10–15 minutes heat, repeat for 3–4 rounds. Bring your tracker and log everything. You’ll leave with real data about how your body responds to different systems.
Network with intention. The cold plunge community at these events is tight-knit and generous. Strike up conversations at the plunge stations — that’s where I’ve made some of my best connections with practitioners, product designers, and fellow enthusiasts. Everyone’s endorphins are flowing and guards are down.
Don’t skip the breathwork Hacktivations. Guided breathwork paired with cold exposure is one of the most powerful biohacking combos that exists. The conference setting gives you expert instruction in a controlled environment. Even if you’ve been plunging for years, these sessions will deepen your practice.
Book your hotel early. The Fairmont Austin is the conference venue and fills up fast. Staying on-site eliminates commute friction and gives you access to early-morning and late-evening networking events. Austin also has plenty of nearby options on East 6th Street if the Fairmont is sold out.
Whether you’re shopping for your first cold plunge setup, dialing in an advanced contrast therapy protocol, or just want to surround yourself with thousands of people who understand why you voluntarily sit in 39°F water every morning — the BEYOND Biohacking Conference 2026 is the move. I’ll be there on the expo floor, probably shivering in a demo tub and grinning about it. Come say hi.