Forward 2026

2026 FORWARD CONFERENCE IN...

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November 5โ€“8, 2026 ยท Atlanta, Georgia

IT'S TIME... LET' S GO
About Forward

A decade of moving ideas forward.

Where founders, creators and culture-shapers move vision forward.


Explore Agenda
4Days of Impact
2K+Attendees
6Keyontes
65+Speakers

Ticket Packages

Choose Your Experience

November 5โ€“8, 2026 ยท Atlanta, Georgia

General

Inspire

$499

4-day access, keynotes, networking, and the full conference experience.

Get Ticket
ALL ACCESS

Premium

Founder Circle

$1,699

All access, private dinners, custom gear, and BLACK NH-NEXT membership.

Join Founder Circle
Nominations BEGIN JUNE 1st

NH โ€” NEXT 50 UNDER 50 AWARDS

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WORTH NOMINATING?

Founder-Led: Must be the founder or co-founder of a venture (for-profit or non-profit)
Stage: Early-to-growth stage (no larger than Series B or $10M budget)
Social Impact Demonstrable: community, cultural, or systemic impact

Miko Branch, Co-Founder of Miss Jessie's, Previous Keynote Speaker (DC)

Previous Conference Speakers (Los Angeles)

Previous Conference Speakers (New York)

Previous Conference Speakers

Previous Conference Speaker

Previous Conference Keynote Speaker

Track Details

Explore. Learn. Lead.

Six high-energy environments designed for access, discovery, connection, and momentum.

01

Main Stage

Arts

Connect with visionary leaders and fellow founders shaping the future of creative industries. Discover how to inspire your teams, unlock creative potential, and move your vision forward through authentic collaboration and bold thinking.

  • Visionary keynote conversations
  • Industry-shaping speakers
  • High-impact storytelling
02

Learn

Innovation

Ignite your next breakthrough. Learn from innovators who've transformed ideas into impact. Explore cutting-edge strategies for fostering creativity, driving meaningful change, and building the momentum to advance your individual NEXT.

  • Hands-on learning
  • Founder strategy sessions
  • Real-world execution insights
03

Connect

Business

Build, scale, and lead with purpose. Connect with founders navigating the entrepreneurial journey and discover actionable frameworks for turning vision into reality. Curated insights to accelerate your path forward.

  • Founder networking
  • Investor access
  • Relationship building
04

Discover

Technology

Inspire innovation through technology. Connect with creators leveraging emerging tech to solve real problems and create lasting impact. Explore how to harness technology as a catalyst for your next evolution.

  • Startup showcases
  • Live product demos
  • Emerging innovation
05

Impact

Social Impact

Create meaningful change that matters. Connect with purpose-driven founders and innovators building businesses that inspire. Learn how to align profit with purpose and move your mission forward with intention and impact.

  • Founder recognition
  • Live awards
  • Startup support funding
06

Premium

Culture

Inspire thriving teams and create cultures where innovation flourishes. Connect with leaders building organizations where founders, creators, and innovators can do their best work. Curated wisdom for cultivating belonging and driving collective growth.

  • Private networking
  • Executive experiences
  • Elevated hospitality

Master Agenda

Four days. Full momentum.

A high-impact conference experience designed to inspire, connect, and create.

Thursday Welcome

Welcome to the Ecosystem

  • Registration & Welcome Experience
  • VIP Funders & Speakers Luncheon
  • NBTTalks
  • SPARK Networking Mixer
Friday Inspire

Business โ€ข Tech โ€ข Innovation

  • Main Stage
  • Keynotes
  • Founder Panels
  • Lightning Talks
  • Creator Economy Conversations
  • Innovation Sessions
  • Midnight Brunch Party
Saturday Connect

Culture โ€ข Leadership โ€ข Legacy

  • Cultural Influence Sessions
  • Future of Work Conversations
  • Mentorship & Leadership
  • VIP Black Carpet Reception
  • NH-NEXT Awards Gala
Sunday Create

Mind โ€ข Body โ€ข Soul

  • Wellness Activations
  • Yoga & Breathwork
  • Whole Self Sessions
  • Community Closing Ceremony
  • NH Forward Coffee Party

Speakers

Built for voices that move rooms.

01

Keynote Speakers

Visionary leadership, culture, capital, and future-facing business.

02

Founder Panels

Operational growth, funding, scaling, and brand-building strategy.

03

Innovation Leaders

AI, product, innovation, digital transformation, and emerging tools.

Andrew & Jill, Previous Forward Conference Speakers

Kelsey Maynor, Previous Conference Speaker

NBT Exchange Breakout Session

SPARK Networking Mixer

NBTTALKS Session

Anthony Johnson, Awards Recipient

Experience

Six experiences. Zero filler.

Six high-energy environments designed for access, discovery, connection, and momentum.

01

Main Stage

The Mission

World-class speakers on the Main Stage.

  • Visionary keynote conversations
  • Industry-shaping speakers
  • High-impact storytelling
02

Learn

Masterclass

Deep-dive workshops with industry leaders.

  • Hands-on learning
  • Founder strategy sessions
  • Real-world execution insights
03

Connect

SPARK Mixers

High-energy networking for founders and investors.

  • Founder networking
  • Investor access
  • Relationship building
04

Discover

Innovation Demo Stage

Live product showcases and startup pitches.

  • Startup showcases
  • Live product demos
  • Emerging innovation
05

Impact

Grant Ceremony

Micro startup grants awarded live on stage.

  • Founder recognition
  • Live awards
  • Startup support funding
06

Premium

VIP Experiences

Executive lounge, founder dinners, and private receptions.

  • Private networking
  • Executive experiences
  • Elevated hospitality

Ticket Packages

Choose Your Experience

Select the perfect ticket package for your conference journey.

INSPIRE LEVEL

$499
  • 4 Day General admission access
  • Keynotes & All Main Sessions
  • SPARK Networking Event
  • 1 Ticket Access to Midnight Brunch Party
  • Custom NH x FORWARD Tote Bag
  • 1 Year Membership to NH-NEXT Collective
  • Access to Digital App and Materials
  • Access to Food Truck Village
  • General Admission Access to NH Coffee Party
Get Ticket
ALL ACCESS

FOUNDER CIRCLE

$1,699
  • ALL ACCESS โ€” All VIP Benefits
  • Commemorative Pin
  • Custom Founder's Circle Polo
  • Private Invite Only JOURNEY Dinner for Special Guest
  • Founder's Circle Community
  • Priority Future Event Access
  • 1 Year BLACK Membership โ€” NH-NEXT Collective
Join Founder Circle

INSPIRE. CONNECT. CREATE.

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF THIS EXPERIENCE!

Location & Travel

Atlanta, Georgia.

November 5โ€“8, 2026. A destination city for business, culture, creativity, hospitality, and movement-building.

Official Airline Partner ยท Forward 2026

Delta Air Lines

Delta Airlines Returns as the Official Flight Partner of 2026 FORWARD CONFERENCE

Attendees can access exclusive travel discounts through Delta's Conferences and Eventsยฎ program.

Conference Details

  • Event FORWARD Conference
  • Location Atlanta, Georgia
  • Dates November 5โ€“8, 2026

Booking Information

  • Meeting Event Code NY4N5
  • Phone 1.800.328.1111
  • Hours Mondayโ€“Friday, 8:00 a.m. โ€“ 8:00 p.m. (EST)

Why Book with Delta?

Secure your travel early and join leaders, innovators, and creators from around the world as we move ideas forward. No service fee for reservations booked via phone.

Book now and save on your travel to Atlanta

FAQ

Details attendees need.

General Information

Forward Conference is a 4-day experience designed to bring together founders, innovators, creatives, executives, investors, and community leaders to inspire ideas, build relationships, and create meaningful impact.

๐Ÿ“ Atlanta, Georgia
๐Ÿ“… November 5โ€“8, 2026

Forward is built for entrepreneurs & founders, executives & investors, creatives & artists, tech innovators & AI practitioners, community leaders & non-profit organizations, media professionals & cultural influencers, and emerging next-generation builders.

Tickets & Access

General Admission ($499) โ€” 4-day access, keynotes & main sessions, SPARK Networking Event, Midnight Brunch Party ticket, NH ร— FORWARD Tote Bag, 1-year NHโ€”NEXT Collective Membership, digital app access, Food Truck Village, NH Coffee Party.

VIP Experience ($899) โ€” All General Admission benefits plus VIP front zone seating, invite-only speaker luncheon, NH Coffeeshop & lounge access, premium swag bag, Black Carpet Reception, NHโ€”NEXT 50 Under 50 Awards Gala ticket, Mind Body Soul Experience.

Founder's Circle ($1,699) โ€” All VIP benefits plus commemorative pin, custom Founder's Circle polo, private JOURNEY dinner, Founder's Circle community access, priority future event access, 1-year BLACK NHโ€”NEXT Collective membership.

Conference registrations are generally non-refundable. In select cases, ticket transfers or credits may be permitted.

Ticket transfer policies and deadlines will be announced prior to the event.

Programming & Experiences

Forward includes keynotes, fireside conversations, networking experiences, innovation showcases, founder mixers, wellness & culture experiences, awards celebrations, community activations, and curated lounges & hospitality experiences.

Absolutely. Networking is at the core of the Forward experience through SPARK Networking Events, VIP receptions, founder meetups, lounge experiences, NH โ€” COFFEE PARTY, community activations, and curated dinners & mixers.

Programming announcements and schedules will be released in phases leading up to the conference.

Speakers & Partnerships

Speaker inquiries and applications may be submitted through the conference website or by contacting us at Forward@nukolohouse.com.

Yes. Forward partners with aligned brands, organizations, and institutions interested in innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and cultural impact. Reach out at Forward@nukolohouse.com.

NH โ€” NEXT 50 Under 50 Awards

The NH โ€” NEXT 50 Under 50 Awards recognize the next generation of impact-driven founders and leaders shaping the future across Arts, Business, Tech, Culture, and Community.

Submissions open June 1, 2026. Applicants must be founder-led or co-founder-led, based in the United States, between ages 21โ€“50, demonstrate measurable social impact, and operate at an early-to-growth stage. Categories recognized: Arts, Business, Tech, Culture, and Community.

Venue & Logistics

Official hotel partners and recommended accommodations will be announced closer to the event.

Yes. Parking and transportation information will be shared before the conference. Guests will also have access to the Food Truck Village, coffee & hospitality experiences, VIP lounge hospitality, and curated dining experiences.

Forward is committed to accessibility and inclusion. Additional accessibility details will be provided ahead of the event.

Policies & Contact

Yes. Forward is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive experience for all attendees, speakers, staff, and partners. Harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

Yes. By attending, guests acknowledge that photo and video content may be captured for conference, promotional, and archival purposes.

๐Ÿ“ง Forward@nukolohouse.com