The Connecticut Forum
The Connecticut Forum is a Hartford-based nonprofit that produces four live, unscripted Forum conversations per season with notable speakers at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, funded by subscriptions, ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersHartford, Connecticut, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Connecticut Forum does
The Connecticut Forum is a Hartford, Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by Doris and Richard Sugarman. It produces live, unscripted conversations with renowned speakers — journalists, authors, politicians, comedians, scientists, and cultural figures — staged as four signature Forums per season at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, with select programming expanded to additional Hartford-area venues including the Warner Theatre, J Under the Dome, and the West Indian Social Club. Over 35+ years, the Forum has hosted more than 450 speakers and archived more than 100 Forum conversations.
The organization operates a diversified revenue model combining season subscriptions, individual ticket sales, corporate sponsorships (anchored by Hartford-area insurers and industrials such as The Hartford, RTX, Travelers, and Otis, plus marketing/agency sponsors Adams & Knight, Eversource, and Mintz & Hoke), foundation grants, and individual donations. Beyond its core Forum series, the Forum offers a Youth PreViews educational program, Forum Encore community events, and a Forum Event Consulting service that monetizes its live-event production expertise for external clients. Recent programming partnerships include America 250 special events with the City of Hartford, and the 2026-2027 season lineup features Trevor Noah, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Chris Hayes, and a humanitarian-focused event.
The organization is supported by an 18-person staff and a board drawn from senior executives at The Hartford, RTX, Travelers, Otis, EY, Deloitte, and PwC, among other Hartford-area institutions. Recent marquee programming includes a June 2025 Forum with former President Barack Obama.
The Connecticut Forum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Connecticut Forum
- Legal name
- The Connecticut Forum
- Website
- https://ctforum.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Connecticut Forum is a Hartford-based nonprofit that produces four live, unscripted Forum conversations per season with notable speakers at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, funded by subscriptions, ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Connecticut Forum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Cultural Events and Civic Dialogue Programming
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)
Keywords
Where The Connecticut Forum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hartford, Connecticut
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Connecticut Forum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Season Subscriptions: Annual subscription packages for the Forum's signature season of live events, offering best seats, savings up to $100 vs single tickets, and exclusive benefits including livestream access, archive viewing, and dining discounts
- Individual Giving: Charitable donations from individuals through giving societies (Champions Society $20,000+, Founders Society $10,000-$19,999, Directors Society $5,000-$9,999, Orators Society $2,500-$4,999, Producers Society $1,000-$2,499), with various methods including mail, online, phone, payroll deduction, stock transfer, and United Way
- Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship partnerships at multiple tiers (Lifetime Visionaries, Premier, Youth PreViews, Charter, Sustaining) providing brand exposure, networking access, and cause-driven marketing opportunities for corporate partners
- Foundation Support: Grants and support from foundations enabling innovative programming, community engagement, and expanded access through educational programs and youth initiatives
- Forum Event Consulting: Consulting services for organizations seeking help with speaker events, from event design and speaker acquisition to venue logistics and community engagement, leveraging 30+ years of experience
- Individual Ticket Sales: Single tickets to Forum events and special events at The Bushnell and partner venues
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Season Subscription with full benefits |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Individual event tickets |
| Subscription | Annual | Champions Society |
| Subscription | Annual | Founders Society |
| Subscription | Annual | Directors Society |
| Subscription | Annual | Orators Society |
| Subscription | Annual | Producers Society |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Connecticut Forum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Connecticut Forum produces live, unscripted panel conversations among renowned experts, celebrities, artists, and thought leaders, hosted primarily at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford as a four-Forum signature season. Core paid offerings include annual Season Subscriptions and individual event tickets, with supplementary programs such as Youth Forum / Youth PreViews for high school students, free Forum Encore community events, and paid Forum Event Consulting for external organizations.
Product overview
The Connecticut Forum is a nonprofit organization presenting live, unscripted speaker events featuring renowned experts, celebrities, artists, and cultural icons. The core offering consists of Season Subscriptions granting access to four annual Forum events at The Bushnell Theater with exclusive benefits, supplemented by the Youth PreViews outreach program for high school students, Forum Encore community events, and Forum Event Consulting services. Season subscribers receive access to livestream viewing, archived recordings, and dining discounts. The Forum also offers a question submission feature for audience engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Youth Forum: Youth outreach program providing opportunities for high school and university students to engage with Forum speakers
- Forum Event Consulting
- Forum Encore!
- Youth PreViews
Products and services
- Season Subscriptions Annual subscription package providing access to four Forums at The Bushnell with benefits including best reserved seats, savings up to $100 compared to single tickets, exclusive livestream access, archived recordings, and dining discounts. Available to individual subscribers and corporate partner employees at a 20% discount.
- Signature Forum Events Live, unscripted conversations among renowned experts, celebrities, artists, and thought leaders on provocative issues, held at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford as four signature Forums per season, with individual tickets available to the public.
- Youth Forum / Youth PreViews Youth outreach program distributing complimentary tickets to high schools across Connecticut and the region, with Youth PreViews small-group sessions where high school students meet Forum speakers to discuss issues relevant to them.
- Forum Event Consulting Paid consulting services for organizations seeking help with speaker events, covering event design, speaker acquisition, venue logistics, and community engagement, leveraging 30+ years of Forum production experience.
- Forum Encore Community Events Free community events including discussions, film screenings, book talks, and walking tours that extend Forum programming beyond the main Bushnell events, held in partnership with venues such as Hartford Public Library.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 450 world-renowned speakers have appeared at Connecticut Forum events
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Connecticut Forum
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Connecticut Forum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Connecticut Forum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- The HartfordflagshipLifetime Visionary sponsor of The Connecticut Forum, providing major funding support for programming
- RTXflagshipLifetime Visionary sponsor of The Connecticut Forum
- Connecticut PubliccoreMedia partner for Connecticut Forum programming, providing broadcast and coverage support
- Adams & KnightcorePremier sponsor providing marketing and advertising support
- EversourcecorePremier sponsor of Connecticut Forum
- Mintz & Hoke, Inc.corePremier sponsor of Connecticut Forum
- OtiscoreSponsor of Youth PreViews program, supporting youth engagement with Forum speakers
- TravelerscoreSponsor of Youth PreViews and presenting host for specific Forums
- Greater Hartford Arts CouncilcorePartner supporting Forum youth programming and ticket distribution
- Trinity CollegecoreEducation partner and host of special events including José Andrés Forum
- The Bushnell Center for the Performing ArtsflagshipPrimary venue partner for all signature season Forums at Mortensen Hall
- UConn School of Public PolicycoreAcademic partner and presenting sponsor for Forum events including democracy-focused programming
- Central Connecticut State UniversityminorEducation partner of Connecticut Forum
- Quinnipiac UniversityminorEducation partner of Connecticut Forum
- The Warner TheatrecorePartner venue for special events including Elizabeth Gilbert evening
- Hartford CourantcoreMedia partner providing press coverage and audience reach
- Hearst Connecticut Media GroupcoreMedia partner providing press coverage and audience reach
- Hartford Foundation for Public GivingflagshipPresenting host sponsor for Barack Obama event, commemorating 100 years of service
- Frank Pepe Pizzeria NapoletanaminorFood sponsor for Youth PreViews program
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Connecticut Forum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Connecticut Forum social profiles
Digital presenceThe Connecticut Forum compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
The Connecticut Forum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Connecticut Forum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
The Connecticut Forum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Connecticut Forum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Connecticut Forum
What does The Connecticut Forum do?
The Connecticut Forum produces live, unscripted panel conversations among renowned experts, celebrities, artists, and thought leaders, hosted primarily at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford as a four-Forum signature season. Core paid offerings include annual Season Subscriptions and individual event tickets, with supplementary programs such as Youth Forum / Youth PreViews for high school students, free Forum Encore community events, and paid Forum Event Consulting for external organizations.
Is The Connecticut Forum a public or private company?
The Connecticut Forum is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Connecticut Forum founded?
The Connecticut Forum was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Connecticut Forum based?
The Connecticut Forum is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Connecticut Forum make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Season Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are individual Giving, corporate Sponsorships, foundation Support, forum Event Consulting and individual Ticket Sales.
Does The Connecticut Forum have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Connecticut Forum.
What industry is The Connecticut Forum in?
The Connecticut Forum's product category is Live Cultural Events and Civic Dialogue Programming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking), with a secondary code of THAHACAA, Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies). Its NAICS code is 813410 and its SIC code is 7900.