The Forge Conference 2026
The FORGE Conference 2026 is an event for any man looking to succeed against the threats of the modern world. This landmark event will empower current and future fathers to flourish in their day-to-day lives. Come to Des Moines for world-class speakers, deep formation, sacramental grace, and brotherhood with 1000+ other men!
Saturday, February 28, 2026 8:00 - 3:30 PM CST
Online registration is closed. This conference will take walk-in registration.
Speakers
Additional speakers to be finalized on rolling basis. Stay tuned!
Tim Carney
Author, Senior Columnist at the Washington Examiner, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
Watch Now for a Video Description of the Conference
Premier Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
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. Note, the FORGE Conference 2026 will host 50 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.
Keynote Session #1
Opening talks include two Ted-talk style keynotes.
Breakout Session #1
The first round of breakouts features three options. First, Jason Evert will give an extended breakout on the Church’s teaching on homosexuality with notes on how to accompany family members and friends who struggle with same sex attraction. Second, Dr. Edward Sri will give a conference on incorporating Marian devotion into your family. Third breakout session yet to be decided.
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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.
Breakout Option #3: Renowned (and hilarious) speaker Jon Leonetti will give a talk, “Thriving as a Single Man”. In this talk Jon will empower single men to thrive professionally, socially, and romantically. This talk is a must for both young and old single men seeking to live life to the fullest!
Lunch
A sack lunch is provided for all attendees (meat sandwich, chips, fruit, drink). Men are encouraged to hit the FORGE booth, socialize, build brotherhood, and/or go to confession. The lunch hour will also feature several optional breakouts, some from local Des Moines organizations (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
Afternoon keynotes include two Ted-talk style keynotes from Dr. John Bishop (on authentic masculinity) and Dr. Edward Sri (on the domestic Church).
Breakout Session #2
The second round of breakouts features three options; all attendees are welcome to attend any of the talks. Paul J Kim will give a talk entitled, “A Catholic Guide to Adulting”. Dr. Matthew Breuninger will give a talk on controlling anger as a father. Third breakout TBD.
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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.
Breakout Option #3: We live in a throw-away society. Fast food and plastic plates — our culture is full of the cheap and easy. Unfortunately, this mentality bleeds into our sexuality. America is obsessed with sexual counterfeits. From the college hook-up culture to pornography to strip clubs and more, we see fake sex everywhere. All of us must ask ourselves: Do we really want counterfeit sex, or do we want something real? At the heart of the Church’s teaching on all things sexual is an encouragement to turn away from fake sex and choose the real thing. In this talk, Damon Owens will explain the Catholic Church’s teaching on contraception, natural family planning, and what that practically looks like in your marriage (or future marriage).
Send-Off and Happy Hour
The conference will conclude with a impactful send-off at 3PM. The day will conclude no later than 3:45PM, but all men are encouraged to stick around for an optional happy-hour until 5PM.
Important Information
Location
All conference events will be held at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines
(730 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309).
Accommodations
Those traveling for the conference are free to reserve rooms themselves in the FORGE block at the adjoining Hilton.
Contact: Hilton Des Moines Downtown
435 Park Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309
1-515-241-1456
Age Requirement
The conference is open to 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).
