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!
*Walk-In Registration not accepted. Registration will close on Sunday, February 22nd, at midnight.
February 28th, 2026
Harrison Butker has been added to the speaker line-up! The exact timing of his talk will not be revealed until the day of the conference. See you on February 28th!
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 & 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 8:30. 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 8:30AM. Conference attendees are encouraged to arrive well in advance for adoration.
Keynote Session #1
Opening keynote will come from Dr. Matt Breuninger, directly after mass.
Morning Breakout Sessions
The first round of breakouts features three options, listed below.
Breakout Option #1: “Men and Mary”
This presentation is for anyone who wants to know Mary better – the real, human Mary of the Bible and the profound interior journey of faith she made throughout her life. We will walk with Mary step-by-step from Nazareth to the Cross and consider how she faced moments of joy and thanksgiving, moments of uncertainty and discernment as well as moments of trial and darkness. And yet at every critical point she responded with greater trust and surrender in ways that offer many practical insights for our own paths of Christian discipleship today. In this presentation, Dr. Edward Sri will draw on themes from his book, “Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross” (Image Books) and his video series/adult faith study “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother”
Breakout Option #2: “Dads and Identity”
Dr. Matthew Breuninger, therapist, professor, and father of six, explores fatherhood as a practical vocation that forms a child’s deepest sense of security and identity. Dads matter. Drawing from psychology, lived fatherhood, and Catholic anthropology, this talk offers actionable, concrete ways dads can form secure bonds, exercise healthy authority, and foster emotional presence in the home. Fathers who attend this talk will get one step closer to raising emotionally healthy, faithful children. This talk is perfect for dads who are in the thick of raising their families.
Breakout Option #3: “The Catholic Men’s Guide to Adulting”
Whether you’re a single Gen Z guy juggling debt, career uncertainty, and dating confusion—or a millennial trying to figure out real adulthood—taking responsibility for your life can feel overwhelming. From relationships and finances to work, identity, and vocation, “adulting” isn’t something to postpone; it’s a call to step up. The good news: Christ offers the grace and wisdom to make this demanding season not only possible, but purposeful and life-giving. In this talk, Paul J Kim draws from Scripture, trusted voices, and personal experience (including training in marriage and family therapy) to help single men avoid a hot mess of young adulthood—and instead grow into grounded, joyful, faith-filled men who thrive in the real world. This talk is perfect for single men or young dads just getting started.
Keynote Session #2
Our second round of keynotes will feature two Ted-talk style talks from Dr. Edward Sri and Dr. John Bishop.
Lunch
A sack lunch is provided for all attendees (meat sandwich, chips, fruit, and drink). Men are encouraged to take advantage of any/all the following opportunities:
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 three options; all attendees are welcome to attend which talk they please.
Breakout Option #1: “The Catholic Church and Same Sex Attraction”
Jason Evert presents the Church’s teaching on same-sex attraction with clarity, conviction, and compassion. This talk explains what the Church actually teaches—and why—while addressing common misconceptions with honesty and pastoral wisdom. Grounded in Scripture, natural law, and lived experience, Jason shows how truth and love are never opposed. Fathers and men will be equipped to engage this sensitive topic faithfully, speak with charity and confidence, and uphold the dignity of every person without compromising the call to chastity, freedom, and authentic love.
Breakout Option #2: “Family Unfriendly – Raising Kids in the Modern, Secular Stew”
Tim Carney, drawing from his book Family Unfriendly, examines the growing pressures placed on contemporary fathers by youth sports, endless extracurriculars, and an always-on media culture. With clarity and conviction, he names how these forces quietly reshape family life and drain fathers of presence and peace. Tim then offers concrete, practical principles to help men reclaim balance, protect the home, and lead their families with intention, stability, and moral confidence in the midst of the modern fray.
Breakout Option #3: “7 Tips for Catholic Grandfathers”
Dan Spencer offers a clear and encouraging vision for the vital role of Catholic grandfathers in today’s post-Christian world. Faithful grandparents long to pass on their faith, yet often feel uncertain about how—and how much—to engage their grandchildren amid cultural pressures that undermine belief. In this talk, Dan shares seven practical, hard-earned tips to help grandfathers steward their influence with confidence and intentionality, becoming steady witnesses of faith, identity, and hope for the next generation.
Closing Keynotes
The conference will conclude with a keynote addresses from Jason Evert and Paul J Kim. 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
For questions, about additional hotel options, contact FORGE ([email protected])
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 ([email protected]).
