The Forge Conference
The FORGE Conference 2025 tackles the threats facing modern fatherhood. This landmark event will empower current and future dads to change the world. Come to Des Moines for world-class speakers, deep formation, sacramental grace, and brotherhood with 1000+ other men! The conference is scheduled for the last Saturday before Lent, launching men into a transformative Lenten season.
Saturday, March 1, 2025 8AM-3:30PM
Speakers
From Ivy-league academics to monks to professional athletes, our 2025 speakers pack a powerful punch!
Conference Schedule
The FORGE Conference provides a unique blend of high-impact, short-form keynotes paired with extended breakout sessions. The conference moves fast for a reason. At FORGE, we aim to provide busy men with a leveraged experience, honoring the sacrifice that families and communities make for them to attend. Conference breakout sessions are split into two tracks. The first track on leadership will empower men to lead both in the workplace (first session – Matt Birk) and on the home front (second session – Pete Burak). The second track on parenting features Dr. Leonard Sax who will give two data-driven talks on best practices for raising boys (first session) and raising girls (second session) amid the pressures of the digitally saturated culture. Note, FORGE has been blessed with dozens of priests who will accompany men throughout the conference and offer confession.
Check-In
Men are encouraged to arrive early, get coffee, and get ready!
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Please arrive to the conference with proof of payment. Check-in will begin promptly at 7:30AM and run until 8:30AM.
Opening Mass
Mass will begin promptly at 8:30AM. Conference attendees are encouraged to arrive well in advance. Mass will be celebrated by Father Boniface Hicks and any attending clergy who wish to participate.
Keynote Session #1
Opening talks include two Ted-talk style keynotes from Matt Birk (on Catholic leadership in the modern workplace) and Dr. Leonard Sax (on threats facing today’s fathers).
Breakout Session #1
The first round of breakouts features two options; all attendees are welcome to attend one talk or the other. Matt Birk will give a session on how Catholic men can navigate the challenges of the contemporary workplace with excellence. Dr. Leonard Sax will give a data-driven presentation on raising boys amid the pressures of the digital age.
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Breakout Option #1: Matt Birk is no stranger to high achievement. In 2011 he won the National Football League’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. From Harvard to NFL to CEO, Matt Birk brings a wealth of experience to the table. Men are called to provide for their families, but the contemporary workplace is frought with tension, moral quandries, and cultural pressure. What does it look like to face these difficulties and win? Matt will guide men to build a career while becoming a saint!
Breakout Option #2: Dr. Leonard Sax has written multiple bestselling books on raising children, including Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men.
Lunch
A sack lunch is provided for all attendees (meat sandwich, chips, fruit, drink). Men are encouraged to socialize, build brotherhood, and/or go to confession. Smaller breakouts from Fr. Boniface Hicks and local Des Moines speakers/organizations are offered throughout lunch (topics and presenters TBA). Note, if you or your organization wish to facilitate an optional lunch breakout, contact FORGE (info@myforge.org).
Keynote Session #2
Breakout Session #2
The second round of breakouts features two options; all attendees are welcome to attend one talk or the other. Pete Burak will give a session on how Catholic men build discipleship communities in today’s culture. Dr. Leonard Sax will give a data-driven presentation on raising girls amid the pressures of the digital age.
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Breakout Option #1: As Vice President at Renewal Ministries, Pete Burak has devoted decades to growing communities of christian leaders around the globe. In this talk, Pete will point out the pitfalls and give practical insights on how Christian men of all ages can lead and evangelize their corner of the world.
Breakout Option #2: Dr. Leonard Sax has written multiple bestselling books on parenting, including Girls on the Edge: The Four Factors Driving the new Crisis for Girls – Sexual Identity, Cyberbubble, Obsessions, and Environmental Toxins. In this talk Dr. Sax will unpack the lethal threats facing today’s young girls and what fathers can do to protect their daughters.
Send-Off and Happy Hour
Important Information
Location
All conference events will be held at the Embassy Suites in downtown Des Moines (101 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309).
Accommodations
Those traveling for the conference are free to reserve rooms themselves in the FORGE block (contact Embassy Suites). For questions about additional hotel options, contact FORGE (info@myforge.org).
Age Requirement
The conference is open to all biological males ages 16 or older.
Sponsorships
A select number of sponsorship opportunities are available (booth space, small breakouts, promotional announcements, etc.). For sponsorships, please contact Miriam Johll (miriam@myforge.org).
