The annual Smart Marriages Conference gathers 200 presenters – the worlds top marriage and relationship experts. More than 2,500 participants attend from all 50 states and several dozen countries. Here are brief descriptions of the 12 keynote presentations at the 2008 San Francisco Conference. See the brochure for the 160+ breakout sessions on all the pertinent topics: money, sex, infidelity, substance abuse, singles, stepfamilies, mothers-in-law, prison, weddings, porn addiction, and the crucial transitions - from welcoming a new baby to welcoming the empty nest.
B-1 Tues, July 2, 6:30pm
BANQUET Keynote and Awards Dinner
Co-Sponsored by NACFLM & Marriage Savers
IMAGO: Couplehood as a Spiritual Path
Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhDs
Couplehood can be the most powerful and effective path
for emotional healing and spiritual growth. Understand the
potential of viewing couplehood as a spiritual path and
the transformative power of using Imago Dialogue as
a spiritual practice.
6:30pm, Wed, July 2
Welcome to the 12th Annual Conference
Diane Sollee, MSW
Founder and Director of Smart Marriages
The California Campaign
Dennis Stoica, MBA
As California goes, so goes the nation! California has set a goal of reducing its
divorce rate by 15%. Learn the steps it's taking to implement a state-wide Marriage
Education saturation model, to make programs and services accessible throughout the
state, and to carefully track the results. Californians: learn how to get involved.
Everyone else: learn strategies to transform your own state, community, or setting.
________ Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Area
8:30pm
8:45pm, Wed, July 2
If I'm So Wonderful, Why Am I Still Single?
Susan Page, MDiv Learn lively exercises that help singles focus on the real and
imagined reasons why they are still single and the Seven Essential
Steps for Finding Love.
For singles only.
P-2 Thurs, July 3, 8:30am
The 5 Love Languages
Gary Chapman, PhD
How do we keep love alive after the euphoria fades? The answer lies
in discovering and speaking each others love language. We will
explore the five primary love languages and learn how to help couples speak
to each other's hearts and restore or enhance the warmth and emotional
love in their marriages.
P-3 Thurs, July 3, 12:45pm
Waiting to Marry
John Van Epp, PhD
Young adults are waiting longer to marry. So what's the big deal?
What are the effects on marriage and on the village - the pros and cons?
What goes into these decisions? Should we do something? Can we?
P-4 Thurs, July 3, 4pm
The Sex-Starved Wife
Michele Weiner-Davis, MSW
Low desire in husbands is one of America's best kept secrets. A recent survey
busts this myth, sheds light on what really goes on in the bedroom, and helps us
help couples bridge the desire gap.
Marriage Integrity
Pat Love, EdD
When a marriage has integrity everyone benefits: children thrive; adults flourish;
society stabilizes. Learn how to teach couples to understand, integrate, balance,
master, and build on the three pillars crucial to that integrity: interpersonal, familial,
and intrapersonal.
________
B-2 Thurs, July 3, 7pm
BANQUET Keynote
Raising Children for Good Marriages
Bill Doherty, PhD
Role-modeling a good marriage is important, but it’s not enough in a
me-first, commitment-lite culture. As parents, we have to be intentional
about raising children who are ready for the brave new world of contemporary marriage,
and about supporting the marriages of our adult children.
<>
P-5 Fri, July 4, 8:30am
Let's Get Real: Marriage Education for Individuals
Howard Markman, PhD, Scott Stanley, PhD Although Marriage Education has traditionally focused on working with couples, it is
increasingly obvious that there are a an extraordinary number of opportunities –
and obligations – to provide preventive education to individuals. New data and service models
provide an idea of the exciting potential on the Marriage Education horizon.
________
P-6 Fri, July 4, 12:45pm
Breaking Through: Tools of the Trade
Julie Baumgardner, MS, CFLE Instead of jackhammers and chisels, we use jumbotrons and billboards,
PSAs and games, quizzes and surveys, pamphlets and parades – everything under the sun,
to break through into a new era of Smart Marriages and Happy Families.
The Couple Checkup
David Olson, PhD
People get a dental checkup annually and get the oil changed on their
car every 3,000 miles, but almost never get a checkup on their marriage.
The Couple Checkup helps couples identify their strengths and growth
areas and primes them to attend marriage education programs.
P-7 Sat, July 5, 8:30am
Hold Me Tight
Sue Johnson, EdD
Attachment theory provides the first clear evidence-based model of adult love.
Use the Emotionally Focused approach to help couples see their dance and to
guide them through key steps and seven healing conversations into loving ”interdepen–dance”.
________
P-8 Sat, July 5, 2:30pm
Ultimate Relationships
Cloé Madanes, HDL
This new approach made highly-accessible and affordable in a teach-right-out-of-the-box,
DVD-based program, can help even the most hopeless couples reconnect by understanding the three levels of
relationship, recognizing each other's six core needs, mastering eight essential skills,
and learning how to be totally present.
________ P-9 Sat Night Live, July 5, 7:30pm
Why Mars and Venus Collide
John Gray, PhD
Understand the crucial differences between the sexes and learn practical, gender-specific
solutions for optimizing brain chemistry, stress management, and romance -
and how each impacts the other. Specific practices that can help you change couples'
lives, stop unnecessary collisions, and help them come together.