About the Lion Forum

Answers to common questions about the event, speakers, and how to get involved.

What is the Lion Forum?

The Lion Forum is a prestigious, invitation-only convening of founders, investors, and federal policymakers focused on the intersection of technology, policy, and American leadership. The format is an intimate, salon-style gathering designed to foster candid dialogue between leaders who are shaping the future.

When and where is the Lion Forum 2026?

- Dates: Tuesday, June 16 – Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Conference venue: Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, 1225 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601
- Evening program venue (Day 1): Kennedy Compound, Hyannis Port, MA
- Evening program venue (Day 2): Brambletyde, with a harbor boat outing

Who hosts the Lion Forum?

The Lion Forum is hosted by Christopher K. McKelvy (Co-Founder & Managing Partner, K Ventures) and Judd Olanoff (Co-Founder and Managing Partner, K Ventures).

What is the format of the event?

The Lion Forum is an intimate, invitation-only salon-style convening. Sessions feature short keynote talks, moderated interviews, and breakout discussions. Approximately 150 attendees participate across two days. Programming takes place at the Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, with evening programs at private venues accessible by shuttle.

How large is the Lion Forum?

The Lion Forum hosts approximately 150 attendees. It is intentionally kept small to enable genuine conversation between leaders.

Who attends the Lion Forum?

Attendees include founders, investors, and federal policymakers. The Lion Forum is designed to bring together leaders from technology and policy who are shaping American innovation and governance.

Is the Lion Forum open to the public?

No. The Lion Forum is strictly invitation-only. Attendance requires a direct invitation from the organizers.

How do invitations and applications work?

Invitations are extended directly by the organizers based on an attendee's relevance and contribution to the themes of the convening. Prospective attendees may also apply through the Lion Forum website. Applications are reviewed by the organizing team.

Who are some of the speakers at Lion Forum 2026?

Lion Forum 2026 features a distinguished lineup of speakers across technology, policy, and public life, including:

- Kyla Scanlon — Economic commentator and NYT bestselling author (In This Economy?)
- James Hairston — Global Head of Innovation Policy, OpenAI
- Tristan Harris — Co-Founder, Center for Humane Technology; starred in Netflix's The Social Dilemma
- Dr. Syed Mohiuddin — Head of Healthcare, Anthropic
- Aneesh Chopra — Former U.S. Chief Technology Officer; Chief Strategy Officer, Arcadia
- Christophe Rimann — Camber
- David L. Reich, M.D. — Chief Clinical Officer, Mount Sinai Health System
- Governor Jay Inslee — Former Governor of Washington State
- Tess deBlanc-Knowles — Senior Director, Atlantic Council Technology Programs
- Congressman Gabe Amo — U.S. Representative, Rhode Island 1st District
- Congressman Josh Gottheimer — U.S. Representative, New Jersey 5th District
- Andrew Sorota — Head of Research, Office of Eric Schmidt
- Bradley Tusk — Founder & CEO, Tusk Ventures
- Elizabeth Kelly — Head of Beneficial Deployments, Anthropic
- Secretary Miguel Cardona — Former U.S. Secretary of Education
- David Shor — Co-Founder, Blue Rose Research
- KJ Dhaliwal — Founder & CEO, Lotus Health AI
- Ross Harper — Co-Founder & CEO, Limbic

What are the main themes of Lion Forum 2026?

Lion Forum 2026 focuses on technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, American leadership, and the role of policy in shaping the future. Sessions explore topics including AI's role in healthcare, education, democracy, national security, and economic opportunity.

What is the agenda for Day 1 (Tuesday, June 16)?

Day 1 opens with registration and networking at 11:00 AM, followed by a full afternoon of sessions at Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod. Topics include Gen Z and the American Dream, AI leadership, healthcare AI, national security, and education policy. The evening features a cocktail reception, tour, and dinner at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, accessed by shuttle from the hotel.

What is the agenda for Day 2 (Wednesday, June 17)?

Day 2 morning and afternoon sessions cover AI upskilling, democratic process, political strategy, caregiver policy, and corporate leadership. A lunch with David Shor (Blue Rose Research) is included at 1:00 PM. Afternoon breakout sessions run 3:05–4:05 PM. The evening features a harbor boat outing and dinner at Brambletyde.

When does the Lion Forum end?

The event closes after dinner on Wednesday evening, approximately 9:30 PM. Guests typically depart Thursday morning.

Who are the sponsors of Lion Forum 2026?

Lion Forum 2026 sponsors include Unum Group, Soros Economic Development Fund, Camber, Abridge, Cleveland Clinic, iGrow Venture Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Arena Advisory Group, Marquette Hamlin Group, The Kennedy Forum, and The Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation.

How can I become a sponsor?

Sponsorship inquiries can be directed through the Lion Forum website. A sponsorship deck is available through a dedicated access portal on the site.

Where is the conference hotel?

All sessions are held at Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, 1225 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601. All attendees are encouraged to stay at the conference hotel, as all shuttles to evening venues depart from and return there.

How do I get to the Lion Forum?

The two recommended airports are:
- HYA (Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Hyannis) — approximately 1.5 miles from the hotel; served by Cape Air, JetBlue, and American Eagle on a seasonal basis.
- BOS (Boston Logan International) — approximately 75 miles from the hotel; roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car in normal traffic. Options from BOS include rental car, Plymouth & Brockton Bus service to Hyannis, or private car service.

How can I contact the Lion Forum organizers?

For general and media inquiries, visit the Lion Forum website at lionforum.com or reach out through the contact form on the site.