Four days to let go of what's held you back, and open up to what's next.

Yes. OPEN is for men who identify as gay, bi or queer, and that's part of what makes it so rare. We like to say it's "an inch wide and a mile deep": a focused space allows connections that go far deeper, in a community that's had too few chances like this.

OPEN is held at Easton Mountain Retreat Center, which is itself a living community created by and for gay men. If you're not sure whether OPEN is for you, please get in touch. Inclusion matters to us, and so does looking after the community we serve.

OPEN is designed as a retreat: a chance to switch off from the outside world and spend time with like-minded men who do similar work. You'll learn new coaching skills, pick up ideas for growing your business, and hear from men who've built thriving practices. You'll find new tools for your toolbox, and see more clearly the value of the ones you already have.

It's also time for your own personal development. Our 2027 theme is healing from shame, which is relevant to all gay men, and the work you do on yourself here cascades into the work you do with your clients. Watch our 2026 video to see and hear what happens at the retreat.

Not at all. Coaches of every level come, from men just starting out to very experienced coaches with thriving businesses. Men whose work in another field includes a lot of coaching are welcome too.

Every kind. Life, executive and leadership, career, business, health and well-being, recovery, dating and sports coaches have all joined us. So have therapists, counselors, sacred intimates and other gay men who use coaching in a wider role. If you're a coach of any kind, you're welcome, and the mix is a big part of what makes it work.

We add sessions as they're confirmed, all drawn from our 2027 theme, and the final program goes up a few weeks before the retreat. For a flavor of past years, see the past sessions in the footer of every page.

Plenty, and all of it's optional. You can design your retreat experience the way that's right for you. Mornings start with yoga and meditation before breakfast. Evenings have included film nights, massage and bodywork classes, storytelling, games nights and a talent show, and we confirm the 2027 evenings shortly before the retreat. It's all a chance to get to know other gay coaches properly.

There's breathing space in the day too. Easton Mountain is remote, in beautiful countryside, with trails to explore, a walk up the mountain, a wood-fired sauna and the Sunroom for some quiet reading. Massages are available at extra cost.

Before dinner on each full day we host a cocktail reception, which is a great place to gather and have fun together before we eat and then proceed with our evening activities.

Yes. We submit each qualifying session to the ICF for CCEUs shortly after the retreat, and send you a certificate for the sessions you attended and the credits awarded for them.

Easton Mountain is an escape from everyday life. Most rooms are shared (doubles and quads in the Guest House), with one single room and two private rooms in the Garden Cabin. They've all been refurbished in recent years and are comfortable and homely. You can also camp in the grounds, and some people stay nearby and come in each day.

Here's what to pack:

• Toiletries: everything you'd usually take when you go on a trip away. Towels and toilet paper are provided. Easton has "country plumbing," so please be careful what you flush.
• Earplugs if you're a light sleeper. There are some in every room, but bring your own sleep aids if they help.
• Good socks: some of the spaces at Easton Mountain are "shoes off," so pack comfortable socks you are happy for others to see!
• Snacks if you'd like them. The home-cooked meals are generous and there are basic snacks out all day, but you're welcome to keep your own in your room. Many guests like to bring their own snacks like protein bars. If you like to eat a lot and take on a lot of protein, please bear this in mind.
• Whatever clothes you're comfortable in. It's very informal, so there's no need to dress up formally unless you want to. There is also an invitation to dress in the way that reflects your personality as a gay man. It's probably the only coaching event where you're welcome to wear a harness to a cocktail reception! Pack your own unique wardrobe that reflects your identity. You may want something appropriately comfortable to wear for yoga.
• Your birthday suit (if you want to). The sauna in the woods is lit every night and fits up to 20 people. As OPEN is a men-only event, the sauna is clothing optional, and so is our massage workshop and other bodywork sessions.
• Hiking shoes. There are walking trails around Easton Mountain that you may like to enjoy, so please bring footwear you're happy to get dirty if it's muddy.
• Something to take notes with. There's a lot to take in, feel free to take notes digitally or with your own notepad and pen.
• The event app on your phone or laptop. It has everything you'll need during the retreat, including session handouts. We don't print anything, to cut waste, so if you'd like paper copies of anything you see on the app, please print them yourself before you come.

Yes. We'd encourage you to stay on site if you can, but we know shared rooms aren't for everyone, and every year some men stay nearby and come in each day. There's plenty of local accommodation on Airbnb, both close to Easton Mountain and in Albany, the nearest city. If you're coming into Albany, it's easy to rent a car there. We also post a ride share sheet two months before the event to help you find people to travel with, each day or on arrival and departure.

Easton Mountain suggests these places nearby:

• The King's Inn at Christ the King, Easton, 10 minutes' drive (ctkcenter.org)
• Sunshine Inn, Greenwich, 15 minutes' drive (thesunshineinn.us)
• The DoveGate Inn, Schuylerville, 20 minutes' drive (dovegateinn.com)
• Maple Shade Bed and Breakfast, Quaker Springs, 30 minutes' drive (mapleshadebb.com)

GCA can't recommend or endorse any off site accommodation, so please get in touch and do your own research before you book.

For over 15 years, hundreds of men have traveled from all over the world to attend our annual in person event. Easton Mountain is beautifully remote, tucked away in the mountains. However, as a popular retreat center for over two decades you can follow in the footsteps of plenty of others to arrive.

Easton Mountain is in the Hudson Valley, about 30 miles north of Albany, New York. It is just a two hour train ride from the center of New York, and you can also fly into Albany Airport. From there, you get to Easton Mountain by car.

Our ride share sheet, available two months before the event, helps people coordinate rides with others. For example, drivers offer lifts from Albany to people arriving by train or plane, or you could arrange to share a cab or rental car. This system works well and it operates on goodwill between attendees, so we can't accept liability for the arrangements you make.

To summarize:

• By train: Amtrak runs regularly from New York Penn Station to Albany–Rensselaer (ALB). Make sure you reserve both outbound and inbound journeys in advance. In particular, trains back into New York on the Sunday are usually busy.
• By air: fly into Albany Airport. Rental cars are available there.
• By bus: Megabus to Albany–Rensselaer, or Greyhound/Trailways to Albany.
• By car: set your GPS to 391 Herrington Hill Road, Greenwich, NY 12834. It's within a three hour drive of Boston, New York City and Montreal.

Please travel as sustainably as you can: trains and car sharing are best. If you're flying, please think about offsetting your carbon footprint. We recommend Sustainable Travel International.

Easton Mountain has invested in its Wi-Fi, and there is good coverage on site. Cell service is patchy, as it's so remote. As OPEN is a retreat, we encourage you to switch off from the outside world as much as you can.

Yes. Once you're here, you won't need to spend anything on food or drink, which is rare for a residential coaching event. The catering team cooks everything on site, with plenty of choice at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and we cater for all dietary needs: just tell us when you book. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are always out for you to help yourself.

There's no bar at Easton Mountain, so the cocktail reception is the only time alcohol is served.

Yes, in reception. It sells souvenirs, a few snacks and some of the things you might have forgotten, though it won't have everything.

Gay Coaches Alliance, a professional association of gay and GBTQ men who coach. We work together to grow our practices and inspire each other to do creative, meaningful work. OPEN and BOND, our online gathering in February, together make up the International Gay Coaches Summit. More about Gay Coaches Alliance.

No. But membership helps you connect with other members before the retreat and all year round. Learn more about membership.

Everyone who's coming can propose a session, as long as it fits our 2027 theme. Our presenters range from new coaches to very experienced ones, and it's a great experience: a warm, nonjudgmental space to share what you know. Proposals close on Monday 18 January 2027. Find out how to propose a session.

We also look for volunteers to help things run smoothly. There's no paid staff team. Everyone on the planning team gives their time for free, and the retreat still runs to a high standard. We ask everyone to help with small things like setting up chairs and tables. It's part of what gives OPEN its relaxed feel and shared spirit.

Details of our scholarship program for 2027 will be confirmed soon.

Registration for OPEN 2027 opens in December 2026. Stay in the loop and we'll tell you the moment it does. If your question isn't answered here, send it to us and we'll get back to you soon. We'd love to see you at Easton.