The Forge Conference 2027
The FORGE Conference 2027 is an event for any man looking to succeed against the threats of the modern world. This world-class annual event will empower current and future fathers to flourish in their day-to-day lives. Come to Des Moines for exceptional speakers, deep formation, and brotherhood with 1000+ other men!
*Registration will close on February 19th at midnight - Hard Deadline.
February 27th, 2027
Speakers
Additional speakers to be finalized on rolling basis. Stay tuned!
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, 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 2027 will host dozens of priests who will accompany men throughout the conference and offer confession. Unlike previous years, confessions will be offered throughout the entire day.
Check-In & Adoration
Welcome to the conference! Get some coffee. Stop by the FORGE booth.
Read More
Keynotes will follow directly after mass, so hit the restroom. Mass will start promptly at 8:15. Please find your seat early. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed starting at 7AM in the adoration room, and a small number of priests will be available for confession prior to mass.
Opening Mass
Mass will begin promptly at 8:15AM. Conference attendees are encouraged to arrive well in advance for adoration.
Keynote Session #1
Opening keynote will come from Jimmy Wahlberg, directly after mass.
Morning Breakout Sessions
The first round of breakouts features four options, listed below. Note that this year’s breakout sessions include a Spanish track.
Breakout Option #1 - “Heroic Grandfathers”
Fatherhood does not end when your children leave home—it enters one of its most influential seasons. In this breakout session, Dr. John Grabowski will explore the unique vocation of grandfathers to strengthen marriages, shape grandchildren, and hand on the faith with wisdom, humility, and joy. Drawing on Scripture, Catholic teaching, and decades of scholarship on marriage and family, he will offer practical guidance for leaving a lasting spiritual legacy. Dr. Grabowski is uniquely suited to lead this conversation as one of the Church’s foremost scholars on marriage and family life, a longtime professor at the Catholic University of America, father of 17 grandchildren, and a trusted advisor to the Vatican on issues of family and evangelization.
Breakout Option #2 – “Marriage, the Bedrock of Civilization”
Why Marriage Matters More than Ever for the Common Good”: The biggest threat to civilization is the “closing of the human heart”—with marriage and fertility rates cratering across the globe, hitting lows never seen before in history. This means that a record share of today’s young adults will never marry and never have children. The closing of the human heart is a profound social problem because, paradoxically, marriage and family life matter more than ever in the 21st century. Men, women, and children in married families are much more likely to thrive socially, emotionally, and financially than their peers who don’t enjoy the safety and stability of a married family. Professor Brad Wilcox of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia will reveal what’s happening to marriage and family life, why these two institutions matter more than ever, and what we can do to revive their fortunes in the 21st-century.
Breakout Option #3 – “Faithful Under Pressure: Brotherhood in the Big Leagues”
What does it take to remain faithful when success, pressure, and public attention are at their highest? In this testimonial-style breakout, Mike Sweeney will share stories from his years in Major League Baseball and the men who helped him stay rooted in Christ, family, and authentic masculinity. He’ll reflect on the indispensable role of brotherhood in living a life of integrity and offer encouragement for building the kind of friendships that sustain men through every season of life. As a five-time MLB All-Star and one of the most respected Catholic voices in professional sports, Mike brings a powerful witness to the joy of remaining faithful both on and off the field.
Spanish Breakout Option #4 - "Strength for the Journey: Virtue, Discipline, and the Spiritual Life”
Physical fitness is about far more than building a stronger body—it can also become a powerful school of virtue. In this breakout session, Father Rafael Capó will explore how the habits of discipline, sacrifice, perseverance, and self-mastery cultivated through fitness can shape a man’s spiritual life and prepare him for his vocations as husband, father, and disciple. Drawing from his unique experience as both a Catholic priest and competitive bodybuilder, Father Capó offers a compelling vision of how caring for the body can become a path toward holiness and wholehearted service to God.
Keynote Session #2: Dom Raso Fireside Chat
All men gather back in the main ballroom for a candid conversation with Dominic Raso as they explore the virtues that make great fathers, faithful men, and courageous leaders. Drawing from his experiences serving with SEAL Team 6, entrepreneurship, raising a family, and mentoring men across the country, Raso will reflect on the habits of discipline, sacrifice, to build the life of a saintly man.
Lunch
A sack lunch (meat sandwich, chips, fruit, and a drink) will be provided for all attendees. Throughout the lunch hour, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for Eucharistic Adoration in the main ballroom. Priests will be available to hear confessions, and a separate room will be reserved for prayer ministry. Men are encouraged to visit the exhibitor booths (especially the Forge booth), spend time in prayer, connect with friends, and prepare for the afternoon.
Confession (lower breakout room)
FORGE has organized many local priests to hear confessions. We enthusiastically encourage you to take advantage of confession. Jump into the confession line right away!
FORGE Booth
We strongly recommend that every man stop by the FORGE booth at least once. Talk to a FORGE Coach (men in the white hats) to learn more about FORGE.
Stanzi Testimonial
Beginning at 12:45 PM in the Main Ballroom, record-setting University of Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi will take part in a fireside-chat–style conversation reflecting on his journey toward a deeper, more mature faith.
Prayer Teams (lower breakout room)
Prayer Teams (lower breakout room): We have seven stations in the lower ballroom for men looking to be prayed over by a team of other men. Highly recommended!
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
The second round of breakouts features four options; all attendees are welcome to attend whichever talk they please. This year’s preferred afternoon breakout is comes from John Grabowski (option #1).
Breakout Option #1 – “Contraception and the Renewal of Marriage”
The Church’s teaching on contraception is often misunderstood—even by faithful Catholics—but it reveals a profound vision of love, marriage, and human flourishing. In this breakout session, Dr. John Grabowski will explain why the Church teaches what she does, address common objections with clarity and charity, and show how this teaching opens the door to deeper marital intimacy and authentic freedom. Drawing on decades of scholarship in moral theology and marriage, Dr. Grabowski will help men understand why this issue matters not only for married couples, but for the renewal of families and the culture itself.
Breakout Option #2 - "Physical Fitness and the Pursuit of Holiness”
The call to holiness embraces the whole person—including the body. In this breakout session, Father Rafael Capó will explore how physical fitness, disciplined habits, and voluntary sacrifice can help form the virtues every man needs, whether he is a father, grandfather, or single man preparing for his vocation. Drawing on his unique experience as both a Catholic priest and competitive bodybuilder, Father Capó will offer a practical vision for integrating physical training with spiritual growth, helping men become stronger in both body and soul for the sake of those they are called to serve.
Breakout Option #3 – “Spanish Priest Panel: Authentic Manhood Today”
Spanish-speaking men invited to join Catholic priests for a conversation on authentic Catholic masculinity and the unique opportunities and challenges facing Latino men today. Drawing from their pastoral experience, the priests will discuss faith, family, fatherhood, work, and the practical realities of living as disciples of Christ in today’s culture. The panel will also include time for questions, offering men the opportunity to seek wisdom and encouragement from trusted spiritual fathers. This breakout is presented entirely in Spanish.
Breakout Option #4 - "The Virtue of Prudence"
Making Wise Decisions in a Confused World”: Every man makes decisions that shape generations, but few have been taught how to make them well. In this breakout session, Father Gregory Pine, O.P., will draw from the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas to explore the virtue of prudence—the habit that enables men to discern the good, choose it courageously, and lead others with confidence. Whether navigating marriage, fatherhood, work, or difficult moral questions, men will leave with a practical framework for making wise decisions in an increasingly confusing culture.
Closing Keynotes
The conference will conclude with keynote addresses from Dr. John Bishop and Father Gregory Pine. The send-off is a critical aspect of the conference, so make sure to be in your seats promptly at 2:25PM. The day will conclude no later than 4:15PM, but all men are encouraged to stick around for the Happy Hour until 5:30PM!
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 Holiday Inn Downtown
Address:
1050 6th Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314
Front Desk:
1-515-2830151
Pricing
Through December 31st: $45
January 1-31st: $55
February 1-18th: $65
*Registration will close on February 19th at midnight - Hard Deadline.
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).
