There's no single professional category we're filling — we're curating a mix. Every HATCHer is someone we believe is demonstrating real action toward a positive impact, not just holding an impressive title. That shows up differently across disciplines: a founder scaling a solution, a scientist reshaping a field, an artist reframing how people see a problem, a policymaker moving something through a system that resists moving.

What we're actually scoring for when we curate the 100: cross-disciplinary range (we deliberately avoid rooms full of one sector), systems thinking, a mentorship spirit toward people earlier in their journey, sector and geographic diversity, and what we call chemistry — the sense that this person will spark something in a room they wouldn't otherwise be in.

We're intentionally not looking for corporate operators optimizing an existing system. We're looking for people building the next one.

See some HATCH Alumni examples here.

No. The program is intentionally built as a peer-driven experience with facilitated sessions, shared meals, creative exchanges, and time in the Catskills landscape. The goal is meaningful connection and practical momentum, not passive attendance.

“HATCH a better world” has been our consistent overarching theme for 22 years. This Summit is exploring breakthroughs in democracy, AI, food, climate, creativity, longevity, and human flourishing.

HATCH is a bit different from a traditional conference model, where there's a clear line between “speakers” and an “audience.” Everyone we invite is there because we believe they have meaningful experience, perspective, or ideas to contribute — in many ways, every participant is both a learner and a contributor.

Throughout the Summit we occasionally tap someone on the shoulder to share a brief story or insight with the group, often as a 5-minute lightning talk. There's a real chance we'll ask you too — so it's worth having in your back pocket: is there a topic, story, project, or question you'd be excited to share if asked?

That said, participation in these moments is part of the overall HATCH experience, not a separate speaking engagement. Your attendance isn't contingent on it either way.

The four days are the spark, not the whole relationship. HATCHers stay connected year-round through our HATCH Community — we turn moments into movements through intimate, place-based gatherings that build trust, spark collaboration, and surface solutions grounded in action. The connections continue beyond the gathering, through HATCH's membership network and online platform, sustaining relationships and collaboration across geographies and over time.

HATCH Studio — partners with organizations to design and lead experiences that connect people and catalyze collective impact. Drawing on the HATCH network and approach, it creates environments where ideas are challenged, perspectives expand, and meaningful collaboration can take hold. Through tailored engagements, HATCH Studio equips leaders and teams with the tools, relationships, and momentum to move from insight to action, advancing solutions to complex social, environmental, and systemic challenges.

HATCH House — our presence at the world's most relevant moments, like Davos, SXSW, and Climate Week.

HATCH Hubs — local communities of HATCHers in cities throughout the world that connect, and activate local and global nodes. Supported with communications and dinner tool-kits, it extends our impact.

HATCH Adventures — global adventures that bring the HATCH ethos to immersive, connection-driven experiences in communities worldwide.

HATCH Global Living Room — a quarterly virtual convening of HATCHers exploring connection and community through conversation, curiosity, and culture.

Every seat at HATCH is individually curated, so we don't have a standard plus-one policy — but if there's someone specific you think belongs in the room, tell us who and why. We review those case by case.

4 nights' accommodations, 3 artisan culinary meals a day, programming, music, and immersive experiences from when you arrive to when you leave.

The cost for Summits are break-even for HATCH, and the price covers all hard costs: 4 nights' accommodation, 3 meals a day, and direct expenses, split evenly across 100 people plus a 10% markup that funds partial scholarships based on need. This is not a one-off event but also provides access to the global community, with numerous ways to stay connected to collective impact after the Summit.

We never want finances to be the barrier to entry. We offer partial support, subject to the availability of scholarship funding from our partners and sponsors. Let us know what level of support would make attending feasible, and we'll make sure you're included in the scholarship process.

Monday, Sept 14th is a travel day — we kick off at Happy Hour, so be on site by 4pm. The Summit is designed as a full-arc experience, and we ask everyone to be there for the entirety of it. That continuity is a big part of what makes HATCH what it is — the trust and depth really build over the full time together.

You're welcome to leave as early as you'd like on Friday, Sept 18th, though we encourage staying past breakfast.

For the easiest arrival experience, we strongly recommend flying into Albany International Airport (ALB), located approximately 1 hr 40 minutes from Full Moon Resort. HATCH will provide the greatest number of scheduled shuttle options from Albany.

A secondary option is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or LaGuardia Airport (LGA), approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes from the resort.

HATCH will shuttle guests from Newark and Albany only, so if you fly to another airport, you will be responsible for getting to one of our shuttle locations or getting yourself to the location. Thank you for understanding!

Attendees also have the option of traveling by train or arranging a car service or coordinating a carpool with other HATCH participants for the final leg of the journey.

Additional transportation details and opportunities to connect with fellow attendees will be shared closer to the Summit.

Full Moon Resort · 1 Valley View Road, Big Indian, NY 12410

From Albany and points north: Take the NY State Thruway (I-87) South towards New York City, then Exit 19, Kingston (see below).

From New York City and points south: Take the NY State Thruway (I-87) North/West to Exit 19, Kingston. After the toll, merge slightly right onto Route 28 West (toward Pine Hill) and travel about 30 miles to Big Indian/Oliverea. Turn left onto County Route 47 just after the brown sign reading “Oliverea 3 miles,” then continue 5 miles on County Route 47 (Oliverea Road). You'll see signs for Full Moon on the right.

We're hoping for pleasant afternoons and chilly evenings — pack layers. We'll have heaters and fire pits going after sunset, plus covered dining or a tent as backup.

Think layers over formality — days warm into the high 60s, evenings drop into the 40s. Bring a warm jacket for after sunset, comfortable shoes for uneven ground and short hikes, and something you'd be glad to wear in a photo you actually like.

Three meals a day are included as part of the package. Let us know about any dietary restrictions ahead of time and we'll make sure the kitchen has you covered.

Full Moon Resort is genuinely in the mountains, so cell service is spotty in places. WiFi is available in common areas. We'd gently encourage treating this week as a chance to be fully present — that's where the real value of HATCH tends to show up.

Specific questions? We'd love to hear from you.

Email Jared Silverman — Jared@HATCHexperience.org

and/or set up a call with Jared HERE.

The Catskills reward slowing down. For the full picture, the New York Times' guide to the region is a great companion — here are a few favorites, organized by mood.