Association Forum is launching Man In™: The Men’s Leadership Experience, a day-long immersive leadership lab focused on connection, wellness, and growth.

Man In™ is designed to foster connection, strengthen wellbeing, and support the evolving leadership needs of men through intentional space for community, reflection, and practical leadership development.

“Man In” signals commitment and presence. It reflects the decision to step in, show up, and engage fully in growth as a leader and as a human being.

No. Man In™ is an immersive, highly interactive lab. The event is being built for real conversation, real connection, and real growth.

Participants can expect facilitated dialogue, guided reflection, peer connection, and practical leadership development.

Many men are navigating increased isolation, pressure, and uncertainty. The need for meaningful connection, reflection, and healthier leadership is urgent.

Research indicators point to the scale of the challenge, including:

• 25% of U.S. men ages 15–35 reporting loneliness for much of the previous day
• 15% of men reporting no close friends, a fivefold increase since 1990
• $406 billion in estimated annual cost of workplace loneliness to U.S. businesses

Association Forum is working with the advisory group and broader community to build resources and experiences that respond to this moment with care, candor, and practical leadership development.

No. Man In™ is not about giving men more power or advantage. It is about giving men permission to lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and a renewed sense of belonging.

The goal is to strengthen the human being first so leaders can show up better for their teams, families, communities, and workplaces.

Man In™ complements, and does not replace, Association Forum’s ongoing investment in the Women’s Executive Forum™, Welcoming Environment®, and broader equity and inclusion efforts.

This experience supports healthier leadership, not hierarchy. Equity is not a zero-sum game. Creating space for men’s growth is part of building a more inclusive leadership culture for everyone.

Yes. All are welcome. Man In™ is designed for men’s leadership development, while the environment remains inclusive and open to allies.

Man In™ will take place on September 17, 2026, at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Chicago, Illinois.

Registration is now open through the official event website.

You can stay connected by joining the interest list or sharing feedback through the Man In™ information page.

We welcome questions, opinions, and feedback. We are listening and will continue using community input to help shape the experience.

Visit the Man In™ information page

Man In™ is being shaped by a high-powered advisory group of diverse leaders who are helping set the tone, guardrails, and experience design.

The advisory group is helping ensure the experience is relevant, courageous, inclusive, and grounded in real human needs.

Meet the Advisory Group

Registration is open through the official Man In™ event website. Visit the site for registration, rates, schedule details, location information, and the full experience overview.

Register for Man In™