Brilliant Minds to Gather in Fort Worth for National Mensa Event
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FORT WORTH, Texas - Californer -- American Mensa, the nation's largest organization for individuals with high IQs, will bring its premier national event to Fort Worth July 1–5, 2026, as members and guests from across the United States gather for the organization's Annual Gathering, a five-day celebration of learning, connection, and curiosity.

Founded in 1963 as a small two-day conference attended by 160 members, the Annual Gathering has evolved into one of the most unique intellectual and social events in the country, attracting Mensans from around the world for a week of exploration and engagement.

"Fort Worth offers the perfect blend of culture, history, hospitality, and innovation," said Austin Horowitz, chair of Annual Gathering 2026. "Whether attendees are reconnecting with longtime friends, discovering new interests, hearing from fascinating speakers, or experiencing everything Fort Worth has to offer, AG 2026 promises an unforgettable week."

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The public is invited to Experience Mensa on July 3 with an immersive introduction to this event. A $99 registration fee includes testing, lunch, event access, and American Mensa membership through the end of the year for participants who qualify.

The Annual Gathering will showcase hundreds of hours of programming designed to appeal to a wide range of interests. Attendees can choose from presentations covering science, technology, history, culture, current events, creativity, and countless other subjects, while also enjoying games, special-interest gatherings, and social events that have become hallmarks of the Annual Gathering experience.

A signature highlight of the week will be the Gala Dinner. This year's Gala speaker is Monica Lewinsky, a leading voice on the issues of public shaming, cyberbullying, and resilience. Ms. Lewinsky is an activist, writer, producer, global public speaker, and contributing editor to Vanity Fair. She hosts Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, a celebrated podcast that explores personal narratives of identity, survival, and transformation

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Families are encouraged to attend the Annual Gathering. The Mensa Foundation-sponsored Spark! program provides structured educational and recreational activities for children ages 4–12, creating an engaging experience for younger attendees while parents participate in event programming.

The Annual Gathering is expected to generate significant visitor activity for Fort Worth's hospitality, dining, entertainment, and tourism sectors during the Independence Day holiday week. Attendees will have opportunities to explore local attractions, museums, restaurants, music venues, and historic districts throughout their stay.

Additional details are available at ag.us.mensa.org.

About American Mensa: American Mensa is an organization open to anyone who scores in the top 2 percent on an accepted standardized intelligence test. Mensa has about 45,000 members in the United States and more than 140,000 members globally. For more information about American Mensa, visit americanmensa.org.