The New England
Fathering Conference
March 10th, 11th & 12th, 2027
Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel
Springfield, Massachusetts
NEWS!
Thank you for making the 26th Annual New England Fathering Conference a roaring success! Over four-hundred of you attended three keynote addresses, thirty-two workshops, three Dad Stories sessions, and the first ever Iron Dad competition in Mystic, Connecticut (all packed into two and a half days)!
Thank you to the Mystic Marriott, Spring Hill Suites, Advancing Connecticut Together (ACT), and all of our presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors. The NEFC Planning Committee couldn't do it without you.
The 27th Annual New England Fathering Conference “Achieving Balance: Individual, Family, and Community” will take place March 10, 11, and 12, 2027 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts! In today’s fast-paced world, achieving balance is crucial, especially in recognizing the important role fathers play in managing their personal, family, and community lives. The title “Achieving Balance: Individual, Family and Community” underscores the role of and need for fathers to integrate their cultural identities while facing societal changes. Fathers may struggle to remain true to their values while meeting family expectations, pressures, and societal norms, particularly in professional environments where cultural diversity intersects with organizational practices. This dynamic can create tension or promote understanding within families, highlighting the significant role of fathers in the community.
We anticipate a Call for Papers in late summer and open registration in December or January.
This website will have all of the latest information about this year's conference as it becomes available. To get updates directly in your inbox, please be sure to join our mailing list using the simple form below.
Group Photos!
CLICK HERE for group photos from our 25th Anniversary Conference in Mystic, Connecticut.
History of our Conference
The New England Fathering Conference (NEFC) was initiated in Massachusetts in 1999 and was held there annually until the Planning Committee decided to rotate the event around the New England region every two years. We’ve continued hosting successful conferences in Connecticut (2008, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2025, and 2026), Rhode Island (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2023, and 2024), Maine (2012 and 2013), and Massachusetts (2018 and 2019). Each with 300 to 400+ attendees and presenters from across New England and beyond! In 2020, 2021, and 2022 the COVID-19 Pandemic prevented the NEFC from meeting in-person, but our work continued online: In 2020, we offered a three-part webinar series for fatherhood professionals, in 2021, we offered eight workshops at four quarterly sessions to keep folks engaged, and in March 2022 we hosted an online conference (Opportunities for a New Beginning). We look forward to hosting our 27th annual conference (Achieving Balance: Individual, Family, and Community) in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 10, 11, and 12, 2027. Look for registration to open in late 2026 or early 2027 (call for papers expected at the end of Summer 2026).