MAFN is hosting a live and in-person one-day conference Friday, April 17, 2026, taking us into the future of facilitation in our fast-moving environment.  Visit these new frontiers at George Mason University’s Fuse Center in Arlington, VA. This speeding trip into the future needs your insightful contributions to fill the agenda. Please use the link at the bottom to submit your proposal - and plenary/cafe ideas! - as detailed below. Submissions are due by November 15th!

Theme: New Frontiers in Facilitation

Key Conference Tracks

• Technology: Fast-paced changes in technologies are adding capabilities to our work as well as giving us perplexing questions about ethics, security, and functionality.  We are looking for proposals exploring or applying any technologies relevant to this context, including those using AI.

• Polarization: The settings where facilitators serve are increasingly fragmented, polarized, or paralyzed in the face of mounting challenges. We are looking for proposals exploring approaches and techniques to support clients to navigate conflict within groups, to strategize and make decisions amidst uncertainty or (in)direct threats, and/or to engage thoughtfully amidst a flood of challenges. 

• Business Development: The facilitation field is experiencing significant challenges, with fundamental shake-ups in the government and non-profit sectors. At the same time, social media and other forms of connecting create opportunities for new ways to share your facilitation profile, promote your expertise, and build your business. We are looking for proposals which share insights, advice, and approaches towards business growth in this context, such as networking for co-promotion and referrals, using LinkedIn for success, etc.

What you need to know

• Speaker Benefit: You will further the work of the facilitation community and MAFN, enhance your personal visibility and marketing. Plenary and Workshop Speakers tickets will be free! 

• Who should submit: Members of the public, MAFN members, Facilitators, OD/Change/L&D leaders, coaches, strategy practitioners, and technologists applying tools to group processes, across all industries. All experience levels welcome.

• A/V & Other Needs: Standard projector and microphones included, list any other items you will need.  The presenter may be asked to provide other items that MAFN is not able to provide. 

• Prior delivery (if applicable): Links to materials or short video.

Request for Workshop Proposals (45 minutes)

We are looking for: Workshop proposals for the following tracks:

• Technology

• Polarization

What you need to know: We invite proposals from individuals or pairs to run a 45-minute workshop. There may be 30+ people in each workshop.

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We have two other ways we’d like to hear from you, please consider your ideas and availability for the following:

Propose Speakers/Moderator for the Opening Plenary

When you submit your proposal you will have the opportunity to propose yourself or someone else to be a speaker or moderator in the opening plenary conversation, New Frontiers in Facilitation: What does the future hold?

Propose a topic to host a World Cafe Table 

We are looking for: Table hosts to facilitate discussions for the following tracks:

• Business development in dynamic times

• Technology shifts in facilitation

• Facilitating in conflicted or polarized settings

What you need to know: Table hosts will guide activities and discussions for two to three rounds of 30-45 minutes, with conference participants shifting tables for each round.

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Workshop facilitators will be contacted by mid-December. Sessions may be photographed/ recorded for recap and learning: submission implies consent. Questions may be addressed to: Workshops@mafn.org