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NWMAF Annual Conference

The NWMAF Annual Conference is the longest-running woman-led training opportunity not limited to one martial art.

woman balancing on one leg in a flying pose, her tshirt reads, "Be Strong".
judokas grappeling on a mat
women martial artists training with knives
Smiling woman holding a broken board with the words "you're not worth it" written on it. She smashed it!
participants practicing judo
participants practicing staff
group in sword class
Group of conference attendees hamming for the camera
board breaking performance

 This signature event is a multi-style training camp and professional self-defense instruction conference, generally held in the spring or summer and supported by periodic regional conferences.

Attendees come from all over the United States, Canada, and beyond. Many attendees return every year; many lifelong friendships have been made!

We come together to…

  • Grow, share your passion, and develop your skills.
  • Train with new partners and old friends who match us in skill, size, strength, or temperament.
  • Learn from high-level instructors in a women-led, non-competitive environment.
  • Participate in a community created for women, transgender, nonbinary people, and their allies, that has sustained us for over 50 years.

It’s a ‘candy store’ where you can get a taste of just about everything related to both—in a week, a weekend, or even a day.

–Su Gould

NWMAF has provided a safe place to explore, take risks, sisterhood and personal growth. It’s a gathering that I look forward to every year

–Tih Penfil

The NWMAF and [its annual conference] were revelations. First a place to be inspired by amazing women artists and self-defense instructors, it also became a place where I could develop my leadership skills and served as a special place for my daughter and me to grow in our love for the arts and in our understanding of the qualities that make true martial artists. I was forever changed by the organization and will always be grateful for all the opportunities it provided both of us.

–Kerry Kilburn

The first years I attended the NWMAF [annual conferences] I had young daughters in tow. Everyone stepped up to make them feel welcome and included. Over the years those same people have become my martial arts family. What an amazing group of women.

–Yudit Sidikman

Empowerment Self-Defense Professional Development

During the NWMAF Conference, aspiring and experienced ESD instructors, and conference participants can select from a rich array of Empowerment Self Defense sessions. These include: model ESD courses taught by NWMAF-certified self-defense instructors and sessions which explore all aspects of verbal and physical self defense, trauma-informed teaching, and critical social issues.

Instructors

Shifu Kore Grate with Master Su Zifeng demonstrating a block technique in class.

Our Conference Instructors are selected from among the best martial artists, self-defense instructors, and healing arts practitioners around the world. Many have decades of experience, and all are committed to teaching excellence.

Interested in Teaching?

Youth

We offer a multi-generational training experience. Attendees ages 12-18 are welcome regardless of gender. Many martial arts, self-defense, and healing arts classes are open to all ages, while others are specifically designed for ages 12-18*.

Youth Prep Board Break
smiling girl with fists raised

One of our most exciting conference traditions is that young students work together to design a demonstration for the performance on Saturday night.

*All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Super Saturday

We pull out all the stops and open the doors to the public! The day closes with our annual Demonstration Performance, where members showcase their talents. 

We offer all-star classes, a bazaar with tabling opportunities available for members, a scholarship fund raffle to win fantastic prizes, and a dazzling Demo Performance to cap off the day. We have a fun hang out after the event to socialize!

Super, indeed!

Father and daughter training together in a Super Saturday class.
Father and daughter training together in a Super Saturday class.
two youth performing a karate form in the super Saturday Showcase.

Most classes on Saturday are open to cis-men, so you can invite brothers, husbands, significant others, friends, sons* (12+), and ally classmates and instructors to attend. *All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

From the 2016, Naperville, Illinois, gathering of the three women’s martial arts organizations, AWMAI, PAWMA & NWMAF: Sensei Delina Fuchs & Sensei Nerissa Freeman demonstrate select Danzan Ryu Jujitsu techniques — performed first slowly, then quickly.

Help us bring the Annual Conference to your backyard!

Do you know a location that would make a great venue?

 Venue Requirements 

Contact events@nwmaf.org with your ideas or for more information on how you can help!