05/09/2026
As we settle back into our daily lives after this year’s M/s Gathering, we find ourselves reflecting with immense gratitude on the people who made MsG 2026 possible.
First and foremost, thank you to everyone who attended. Thank you for bringing your whole selves into the space — your vulnerability, your honesty, your curiosity, your laughter, your tears, your lived experiences, and your willingness to engage deeply with one another. Every year, it is the people who gather that make MsG what it is, and this year was no exception.
We also want to extend our deepest appreciation to our staff, and the many volunteers who stepped up throughout the weekend. Events like this are built on countless unseen hours of labor — planning, problem solving, emotional energy, logistics, flexibility, and care. So many people gave of themselves before and during the event to help create a space where connection and conversation could flourish, and we are profoundly grateful.
And, like all live events created by human beings, MsG 2026 did not unfold without challenges.
About six weeks before the event, we needed to make a change to part of our featured presenter lineup. Then, just one week before MsG, we learned that two additional featured presenters were facing personal medical and family emergencies that rightfully required their full attention and meant they would no longer be able to attend. Finally, less than 24 hours before the event began, another featured presenter — whose plane had already landed in Philadelphia — was called back home to manage an unexpected emergency at work.
To those presenters who could not be with us this year: thank you. Thank you for communicating with us through difficult moments, and for making the choices you needed to make for yourselves and your loved ones. We admire you for putting your health, families, and responsibilities first, and we sincerely hope that things have resolved in the best ways possible.
And even for those who did make it to MsG, the road was not always easy. One of our featured presenters was involved in a car accident while traveling to the event. Thankfully, there were no injuries. In a moment that left us both relieved and deeply humbled, they rented a car and continued on to MsG to ensure they could still be with our community. Their dedication and commitment were extraordinary, and we are incredibly grateful — though even more grateful that everyone was safe.
And to the many people who stepped forward — with very little notice — to facilitate discussions, lead conversations, share their experiences, and help fill unexpected gaps in the schedule: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your willingness to step in helped create an even richer and more diverse weekend of learning and connection for our attendees. The generosity and adaptability of this community continues to amaze us.
What could have become a stressful and fragmented weekend instead became something deeply collaborative, resilient, and full of heart. That happened because of all of you.
We hope everyone has made it home safely, has had the opportunity to rest, and is giving themselves space to process all that was shared, learned, and experienced over the weekend. We know we are.
Thank you for trusting us, supporting one another, and continuing to help shape the spirit of MsG. We are honored to steward this gathering alongside such an incredible community.
Until next time. ❤️
Sir Robert
slave Beth
Todd
Angel
