Announcement
The Resnick Aspen Action Forum Is Coming to the World
Since 2013, the Resnick Aspen Action Forum has been rooted in a place: the Aspen Meadows Campus, nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Aspen, CO. Thousands of leaders from more than 60 countries have gathered there to ask difficult questions, forge unexpected partnerships, and renew their commitment to leading with purpose.
That tradition isn’t going anywhere. But in 2027, a unique circumstance is opening the door to something new:
With the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport scheduled to close for construction from April through November 2027, travel to Aspen will be significantly more challenging than usual. Rather than be deterred by that disruption, the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) is using it as an opportunity to imagine what’s possible when the spirit of the Action Forum travels beyond Aspen, CO itself.
During the closing plenary of the 2026 Action Forum, Dar Vanderbeck, Vice President, AGLN, announced a vision for 2027: alongside a marquee gathering in Aspen, CO at the end of July, Fellows around the world will have the opportunity to host a regionally rooted Action Forum in their own community.
This expansion outside the US builds on a direction already underway across the AGLN. From our Leadership In Conflict series to the Global Impact Forum – UK, and In The Arena to the launch of AGLN Connect, opportunities for Fellows to learn, collaborate, and lead together have expanded. The next chapter extends that vision by inviting Fellows themselves to shape where, and how, Action Forum comes to life.
An Invitation to Host
Beginning September 9, every AGLN Fellow is invited to submit a proposal to host an Action Forum in their country or region between August and December 2027.
Rather than replicating the Aspen, CO gathering, each proposal should reflect the strengths, opportunities, and character of its local context while remaining grounded in the Action Forum’s core purpose: bringing leaders together to reflect, deepen relationships, and strengthen their capacity for action.
Hosts are encouraged to imagine programming that reflects their communities, from seminars and plenaries to issue-focused roundtables, multigenerational conversations, time in nature, cultural experiences, or embodied learning. Gatherings will be connected by a shared commitment to meaningful dialogue and leadership in action.
The Proposal
The Request for Proposals invites potential hosts to outline:
- A proposed location, venue, and timing.
- Why the location is well suited to host an Action Forum.
- A vision for the participant experience and program.
- Expected attendance, lodging plans, and operational approach.
- A business plan, including projected registration revenue, sponsorship opportunities, and overall event costs.
- The local organizing team and partnerships that would support the gathering.
Residential convenings, those including participant lodging, are preferred, although proposals may describe alternative lodging arrangements if needed. Gatherings should include a minimum of two nights and three days of programming; for reference, the Action Forum in Aspen, CO typically spans four nights and three-and-a-half days.
The AGLN will provide overall staff partnership, curriculum and program guidance, communications support, and a modest travel scholarship fund to help broaden participation. Operational costs for each gathering will be covered through registration revenue and sponsorship or partnership support raised in collaboration with the local host.
What We’re Looking For
Proposals will be reviewed with an eye toward creating exceptional experiences for participants while ensuring each gathering is practical and sustainable.
Selection criteria include:
- Accessibility and ease of travel
- Strength of the regional Fellow community
- Venue quality and participant experience
- Access to nature and opportunities for place-based learning
- Programming vision and diversity of session formats
- Seminar and meeting space
- Host capacity and local organizing support
- Visa accessibility and global welcome
- Partnership and funding potential
- Connections to Aspen Institute programs and regional ecosystems
Key Dates
- September 9, 2026 — Request for Proposals opens
- September 22, 2026 — Information session for potential hosts
- October 9, 2026 — Proposal submission deadline
Additional details and selection timelines are available here.
Aspen, CO will always be home to the Action Forum, with a marquee gathering taking place July 27-30, 2027. But this year, the network has an additional opportunity to extend that spirit across the world, inviting Fellows to convene their communities while strengthening connections across the global network. We look forward to seeing where this next chapter leads.
The Resnick Aspen Action Forum is the annual flagship gathering of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, a growing worldwide community of 4,200 values-based leaders across more than 60 countries. Learn more aspeninstitute.org/programs/aspen-global-leadership-network/events/.
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