The 2009 Smart Marriages Conference is planned for July 8-11, 2009 in Orlando, Florida!
Connect with many of the movers-and-shakers in the marriage movement at Smart Marriages!
Bring plenty of Red Bull and get ready for a power-packed, morning ’til night, baptism in the latest-and-greatest information and new research in the marriage field!
The Plenary Speeches, the Workshops, the Resource Booths and the Networking are unparalleled!
This is a conference I have attended TEN times, and presented at several times (including last year). I can’t make it this year but I strongly encourage you to check out more about the conference at the Smart Marriages website.
Here is a list of Keynote and Plenary Speeches:
The Five Languages of Apology
Gary Chapman, PhD
Where do we learn whether or not, and how, to apologize? Learn to help couples identify their own and their spouse’s apology styles and how to speak their language.
Strengthening Marriage One Church at a Time
Stephen and Alex Kendrick, co-producers, Fireproof
Yes We Can!
Howard Markman, PhD
A new administration means a new adventure! Explore three research-based reasons for optimism in the Marriage Education field and why we can, with confidence, set audacious goals – aim for a “Marital Moon Shot” – and, reach it. With skills….Yes We Can! Attend for film clips, research, goal-setting, marching orders, friendship, and fun.
How to Avoid Falling For a Jerk (Jerkette)
John Van Epp, PhD
Great marriages begin long before the wedding. Learn the 5 keys to successful dating and mate-selection, and how to avoid the “love is blind” attachment-syndrome.
Living With Cohabitation
Scott Stanley, PhD and Galena Rhoades, PhD
While cohabitation before marriage has become common, it remains associated with increased risks. Exciting NEW findings will be presented along with empirically-based strategies for your work in marriage and relationship education.
Generosity and Thrift
Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, PhD
Thrift? Does it mean penny-pinching and belt-tightening, suffering and self-denial? That’s what many think but thrift comes from the word “thriving” and being thrifty actually makes life and marriages more joyful and free from anxiety. Best of all, it is tied to generosity, because it creates an abundance of good things to share with others.
Money Habitudes
Syble Solomon, MEd
The truth is that money – the actual dollar amount – is not the #1 cause of conflict in marriage, it’s what it represents: power, control, love, freedom, security, etc. Use the Money Habitudes card deck to help couples gain understanding and mastery of this tricky, slippery slope.
I Say a Little Prayer For You
Steven Beach, PhD, Frank Fincham, PhD, Tera Hurt, PhD
Learn how this project added prayer to engage rural African Americans; how prayer enhanced learning; and how to add prayer to any existing marriage program.
Mars and Venus in the Bedroom
John Gray, PhD
Sex is not just about physical attraction – it’s also about knowledge, communication, understanding, and health. Learn how to help couples communicate their sexual needs in a romantic but effective ways and how to have satisfying sex in long-term, monogamous relationships.
Mating in Captivity
Esther Perel, MA
Explore the paradoxical relation of domesticity and sexual desire – when security needs clash with our pursuit of passion. Help couples sustain desire over the long haul while respecting needs for safety and stability.
Couples Sexual Styles
Barry McCarthy, PhD
When it’s good, it’s great. When it’s bad or non-existent, it’s a bummer. Learn what it takes to have great marital sex – intimate and erotic – and how helping couples understand the concept and basics of Sexual Styles can prevent and resolve sexual problems.
Infidelity Busting
Michele Weiner-Davis, MSW
Although infidelity does not have to be a marital deal breaker, it is unquestionably the biggest challenge millions of couples face each year. Unfortunately, time alone is not the great healer. Learn a step-by-step, no-nonsense, proactive process for helping even 11th-hour couples heal from infidelity.
Close Calls
Dave Carder, MA
Advice from thousands of adulterers helps couples identify their own high risk situations and “Dangerous Partner Profiles” and provides ideas for using Close Call experiences to actually strengthen marital intimacy.
Marriage: An Inside Job
Pat Love, EdD 
Current research reveals seismic shifts in beliefs about marriage. People often don’t get it that Frank Pittman had it right: the purpose of marriage isn’t to make you happy, it’s to make you married. They marry because they like the way they are with their partner; then divorce because they don’t like what their partner has made them become. Our challenge is to give couples new information to help them celebrate their marriages, themselves, and the times – from the inside out.
Imago Dialogue Live!
Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhDs
Structured Imago Dialogue can be the most powerful and effective path for emotional healing and spiritual growth. Experience Dialogue Live and learn how to help couples understand how to ‘stop talking, and start connecting’ with each other.
Hold Me Tight II
Sue Johnson, EdD
Attachment theory provides the first clear evidence-based model of adult love. Use the Emotionally Focused approach with couples who face the extraordinary challenges of our times – including military couples facing deployment and couples dealing with financial meltdown. Help them see their dance and use key steps and conversations to guide them into a new, loving, healing ”interdepen–dance”.
Shared Goals
Blaine Fowers, PhD
Marriage begins with romantic love and sexual chemistry, but a lifelong marriage demands more. Help couples learn to discover the joy and power of Shared Goals and how Shared Goals can take them beyond individual pursuits and foster deep Character Friendship – the cornerstone to a vibrant and lasting marriage.
Boomers on the Edge
Terry Hargrave, PhD
Boomers face three challenges exacerbated by the economic meltdown: caring for aging parents, adult children moving home, and not having enough assets to retire. How do we apply what we know to be able to help this stressed generation?
Transforming Communities with Grassroots & Internet Marketing
Julie Baumgardner, MS, CFLE, Nisa Muhammad and Marc Payan
Instead of jackhammers and chisels, we need to learn how to use everything on the Internet – social networks, widgets, twitters, ebooks – AND everything under the sun – movie nights and letters to the editor, jumbotrons and billboards, PSAs and quizzes, pamphlets and parades, mentors and foundations – to bring Marriage Education to the public. Join us for a high-octane Teach In. Learn what others are doing across the country to strenghten marriage and HOW you can tap in to what’s free – or at least affordable. These experts will answer your questions, share what works, and steer you around the potholes.
There is something for anyone and everyone involved in strengthening marriages, improving relationships, and reducing family breakdown!
Clergy, counselors, educators, researchers, and more! If you are a professional, a wanna-be, or doing couples or family work on a volunteer basis -this is a must attend conference!
