Surrogacy workshops, seminars and exhibitions for gay prospective parents
Our conferences provide unique and critical preparation for the surrogacy journey in general, and are particularly relevant for those who are budget conscious. Furthermore, if you are interested in taking advantage of Stage II benefits of our assistance program, you should also note that attendance in one of MHB’s annual conferences is a precondition for Stage II evaluation.
Our conferences offer program tracks for prospective parents at different stages of the surrogacy process:
- Novices will benefit from the entire two days of programs - including peer advice on planning their parenting journey and choosing providers, presented by several of our experienced board members and staff.
- If you have already attended past conferences and you are now actively looking for providers, you don't want to miss the Gay Parenting Expo, the 24 "meet the provider” breakout sessions, and the on-site private consultations offered by select clinics and agencies.
- If you are already in-process, you are invited to join us on Sunday afternoon for socializing and in-depth specialty sessions on budgeting, insurance, and the medical, psychological and ethical aspects of surrogacy.
- Even if you are parents already, community activists, or professionals in a related field, you would appreciate the socializing opportunities and special programs about "life after birth," and, in some locations, a panel of teenagers born via surrogacy talking about their experiences as kids of gay dads.
MHB is a nonprofit organization, and our board and staff are comprised of gay dads and surrogates. Ask around - our conferences are the most effective way to start your parenting journey, and also very useful for those already in process. Meeting experts and providers, talking to MHB's staff and board members, and networking with other prospective dads - things you cannot do online!
In 2018 we broke all past attendance records and saw the introduction of the very successful conference in Florida. In 2019 we are introducing a new exciting Asia conference in Taipei, and larger new venues in Chicago and New York. See the schedule below (2019 event registration will commence in September 2018)
2019 Conference schdeule
MHB West Coast
• San Francisco January 12-13
Parenting Options for Asian Gay Men
• Taipei March 9-10
MHB Midwest
• Chicago April 13-14
Florida
• Fort Lauderdale June 8-9
• San Francisco January 12-13
Parenting Options for Asian Gay Men
• Taipei March 9-10
MHB Midwest
• Chicago April 13-14
Florida
• Fort Lauderdale June 8-9
Parenting Options for European Gay Men
• Brussels September 21-22
MHB Canada
• Toronto October 19
MHB New York
• New York November 9-10
MHB Israel
• Tel Aviv December 6-7
• Brussels September 21-22
MHB Canada
• Toronto October 19
MHB New York
• New York November 9-10
MHB Israel
• Tel Aviv December 6-7
Upcoming Conferences
MHB Canada - October 27, 2018
Our 1st Toronto conference dedicated to Canadian Surrogacy!
- More information & registration on the event page.
MHB New York - November 10-11, 2018
The 14th annual NYC Surrogacy Conference & Expo by Men Having Babies
- More information & registration at the event page.
- View 2017 NY conference highlights and full sessions video playlist
MHB West Coast - January 12-13, 2019
The San Francisco Surrogacy Conference & Expo by Men Having Babies and Our Family Coalition
- View the detailed program on the event page.
- View last year’s conference highlights and other clips
- Read a full report from the 2018 West Coast conference
MHB Asia - March 9-10, 2019
Our 1st Taipei Conference on Parenting Options for Asian Gay Men
- More information & registration on the event page.
MHB Midwest - April 13-14, 2019
The Chicago Surrogacy Conference & Expo by Men Having Babies
- More information & registration on the event page.
- View last year’s Chicago conference highlights and full sessions video playlist
MHB Florida - June 8-9, 2019
The Miami / Fort Lauderdale Surrogacy Conference & Expo by Men Having Babies
- More information & registration at the event page.
- View last year’s Florida conference highlights
MHB Europe - September 21-22, 2019
The Brussels Conference on Parenting Options for European Gay Men
- More information & registration coming in January
- View 2018 event page.
- View 2018 Brussels conference highlights
Monthly workshops
Planning Surrogacy Parenthood by Men Having Babies
Our monthly NY workshop provides an opportunity to discuss in depth the legal, medical, financial, social and moral aspects of surrogacy and egg donation faced by gay men. The workshop is also an opportunity to get together with other gay men considering fatherhood, share information, provide mutual support, and to build a network of gay dads. Third Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8pm, at the Manhattan JCC. We also suggest links to workshops elsewhere in the USA and worldwide.