The 2026 San Francisco Regional Mensa Regional Gathering (RG) is shaping up to be unlike any we’ve hosted before. (Related: What is a Regional Gathering?)
We’re especially excited to announce a new partnership with the Mensa Foundation. To the best of our knowledge, SFRM is the first American Mensa local group to receive Mensa Foundation sponsorship dedicated specifically to Regional Gathering programming. Their support is allowing us to expand our RG offerings with more speakers, workshops, and learning experiences throughout the weekend, creating an even richer experience for everyone who attends.
Throughout the weekend, you’ll hear from accomplished speakers, participate in interactive workshops, and discover new perspectives across a wide variety of topics. We’re also working with local organizations and community partners to showcase some of what makes the Bay Area such a fascinating place to explore. Whether you’re interested in science, technology, creativity, history, personal growth, or simply learning something unexpected, there will be something for you.
But this year’s RG is about much more than attending presentations.
We’re creating opportunities to meet new people, continue conversations long after a session ends, and build friendships with members from across the region. Whether you’re attending your first RG or your thirtieth, we want this to be a weekend where connections happen naturally and everyone feels welcome.
Families will find even more to enjoy as we’re planning dedicated youth programming, including hands-on STEM activities for youth ages 6-12 from Mad Science and additional experiences designed especially for younger attendees and teens. We’re also collaborating with an innovative local nonprofit to bring engaging technology and game development experiences for youth. Parents can also look forward to practical sessions led by experienced gifted education professionals, offering ideas, resources, and support for raising and nurturing gifted children. We’re still finalizing the details, and we can’t wait to share more.
Looking for a little adventure? Throughout the weekend, you’ll have the chance to participate in the Mensa Intelligence Agency (MIA), an interactive, convention-wide mission that will have agents gathering clues, solving puzzles, and working together to complete a top-secret assignment. It’s a fun way to explore the RG, meet fellow attendees, and experience the weekend in a completely different way.
We’re also introducing our new Volunteer Passport activity, made possible through the Mensa Foundation’s generous support. Throughout the weekend, attendees will have opportunities to lend a hand, earn Passport stamps, and qualify for our Volunteer Raffle for a chance to win Amazon gift cards. It’s a fun way to help make the weekend a success while getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring an event like this to life. Whether you’ve volunteered before or are simply curious, we hope you’ll consider joining in.
One of the things that makes an RG special is that it’s shaped by the people who attend. Have an idea for a discussion, game, meetup, walk, puzzle, craft, or activity you’ve always wanted to share? We’d love to hear it. You may be surprised to discover just how many fellow Mensans are excited to try something new. Some of the most memorable moments at an RG begin with someone simply inviting others to join them.
The 2026 Regional Gathering is designed to be more interactive, more welcoming, and more engaging than ever before. Come to hear inspiring speakers and participate in hands-on workshops. Stay for the conversations, the shared experiences, the new friendships, and the opportunity to help build an even stronger SFRM community.
And this is just the beginning. Registration will be open in the next few days and over the coming months we’ll be announcing speakers, workshops, activities, youth programming, and plenty of other surprises.
- Interested in speaking or leading an activity at the RG? Apply to be a speaker
- Have someone in mind to recommend as an RG speaker? Email
- Stay in the loop with RG updates in our SFRM RG Brilliance by the Bay group
We can’t wait to welcome you to Burlingame this November!