We are delighted to launch the ticket sales for the FMA’s 2026 Conference which will take place on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th April 2026 at the Mercure Hotel, Northampton.

We are returning to Northampton, which was the scene of our 2023 event, one of our most popular and appreciated conferences of recent years. We understand this may not be everyone’s favourite venue or part of the country, but it works extremely well price and venue wise for FMA members, and we hope that we will again see a record number of you there. It enables us to keep prices at 2023 levels, and avoids the prohibitive accommodation and venue costs of greater London.

In case you have any doubts as to the attractions of Northampton, some information from the Northamptonshire tourist officer Leah Caldwell and her son, roving reporter Reuben Elwell, follows at the end of this flyer.

AI – Authentic Intelligence for Family Mediators and for children and families in conflict

This is NOT a conference about Artificial Intelligence!

Through group work, authoritative presentations, and workshops, our ambition will be to:

• Reflect and work on our Authenticity and Emotional Intelligence as mediators

• Explore the ways in which Artificial Intelligence is already enhancing and obstructing how family conflict plays out, in our practices and in the lives of our clients, and how AI can be best harnessed whilst not undermining our authenticity

Featuring some workshops/ presentations about Artificial Intelligence, but mainly making the distinction between artifice and authenticity, and the core of our professional role, especially with regard to young people, we’ll be covering topics like:

• Emotional intelligence, mediators and participants

• The latest intelligence about what’s happening in the Mediation world

• Is artifice the enemy of reality and authenticity?

• The truth, the whole truth and truth social

• Social media in parallel with Mediation

• AI resources for young people

• AI and reasonable adjustments

• Mediator well-being and supervision

There will be lots of opportunities for discussion, ideas for developing your practice, for meeting friends and colleagues, old and new, and, for enjoyment! 

We are excited to announce that our new Vice President, Professor Bryan Clark, will deliver the 2026 John Cornwell Lecture on ‘Authenticity in Mediation’, raising questions and stimulating our conversations and debate.