MAFN is hosting a one-day conference Friday, April 17, 2026, taking us into the future of facilitation in our fast-moving environment.
Programming
8:30a Registration & Coffee
Interactive Plenary Rupture & Renewal, How Facilitation Evolves in a Polarized AI-Driven World with Rae Ringel
Six Workshops (choose up to three)
Scaling with Purpose: Building a Thriving Facilitation Brand in the Age of AI with Bola Audena
Make Your Business Development Meaningful Not Mechanical with Carly Chomer & Kim Fredrich
Clarity, Curiosity and Connection: Coaching Through Polarization & Communicating Across Differences with Christine Gerson & Eboney Dixon-Crump
Find the Beat: Using Musical Techniques to Reduce Polarization and Navigate Group Conflict Jennie Toner-Algin
AI and Facilitation: Asking Not What It Can Do, But What It Should Do with Mike Burns
Building Bridges in Conflict and Uncertainty with Applied Improv with Nikki Frias
Lunch & Networking
Parallel sessions (Opportunity to move between both!)
Knowledge Cafe: Join table hosts for skills-based learning
Open Space: Join fellow participants to reflect on key learnings, collaboratively explore emerging questions, and engage in self-directed dialogue with peers.
4pm Closing & Happy Hour
Registration Information:
We hope to have a virtual platform to engage before the event, see whose coming, maybe share a ride, or simply make a contact to deepen during the day!
Those who register will receive an email with details closer to the day.
For out of town guests a wide variety of accommodations are located within walking distance.
What’s Included:
In addition to the incredible programming led by your peers, mentors and new leaders in the field, snacks, lunch and plenty of hot beverages throughout the day.
Our sponsors will also provide you with some exciting tools, more information coming!
Travel Support:
Virginia Square-GMU station on the Orange/Silver line is the nearest Metro stop
Paid parking is available in the garage. Cost is $19 or the Ballston mall parking garage at
627 N Glebe Road is less than a 15 minute walk. Cost $1.
REMINDERS