Key Takeaways

On May 6-7, Global Love Institute is hosting its first conference of 2026, which promises to be its biggest and most star-studded affair yet. Where else can world-famous matchmakers, Netflix stars, legendary psychologists, and best-selling authors impart their wisdom? 

After all, matchmaking has gotten bigger and better over the past few years, with in-person connections regaining favor with swipe-fatigued daters. 

The conference aims to provide something for everyone: Skill-building workshops for newbies, research presentations by academics, and advice and insights from some of the biggest names in the industry, from Aleeza Ben Shalom (of Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking fame) and Dr. Amir Levine to Lori Gottlieb and Maria Avgitidis, to name a few. 

As the industry has become more diverse, so, too, has the conference itself.

Matchmakers can no longer provide a broad service to modern daters, because modern daters necessitate a highly personalized and curated experience. And as the industry has become more diverse, so, too, has the conference itself. 

DatingNews spoke to Lisa Clampitt, founder of GLI, about how the conference has evolved, what attendees should expect, and the overall future of the matchmaking industry. 

“The beauty of matchmaking and all this collaboration is there’s so much hope,” she said. “I think it’s a really positive industry.” Clampitt hopes this positivity will make the conference a nexus of growth, learning, and newfound connections for a brand new generation of matchmakers. 

It’s So Much More Than Networking 

In 2026, matchmakers are no longer confined to their geographical areas. Now, they can make connections in their local and virtual communities, expanding their reach and maximizing their impact. And as any modern matchmaker knows, the role is not only about bringing people together anymore. 

These days, matchmakers have to be strong, confident, and reliable business owners, content creators, collaborators, and speakers. The ability to facilitate high-quality matches is essential, but so is the ability to market yourself and your accomplishments. GLI’s conference aims to help matchmakers and coaches hone all of these skills. 

GLI intends to raise the bar even higher this year by focusing just as much on professional development as on networking. 

By covering diverse aspects of the matchmaking and coaching industries, Clampitt hopes that the conference will “provide knowledge that will make you better” as a business owner. It’s not only about increasing matchmakers’ connectivity, but their confidence. 

It’s not only about increasing matchmakers’ connectivity, but their confidence. 

“Our conferences are much larger than any other conference,” she said. “We’re probably 150+.” The conference unfolds over 2 days, giving attendees plenty of time to connect and collab in person — a rare opportunity in this tech and AI-crazed world. 

Clampitt told us that the Global Love Institute “completely shifted the industry in terms of education [and] coming together at conferences.” There was a time when the industry was fragmented by competition; now, it gets stronger with every collaboration. 

Netflix stars, best-selling authors, renowned academics, and respected matchmakers will all be in attendance. GLI conference hopes these diverse voices will teach aspiring matchmakers more about each other, their businesses, and how they can all benefit from sharing each other’s expertise. 

It’s Time to Back Matchmaking Trends with Real Science 

Clients don’t only want to feel safe, they want to genuinely be safe. This means matchmakers must make trust and safety a visible part of their business. We often see matchmakers consult scientific and psychological research in hopes of providing a solid science-backed service.

Matchmakers traditionally see trends “in a very non-academic way,” Clampitt admitted. But considering the scientific explanation behind trends can give matchmakers valuable insight into what daters need, and bolster their own success. 

“I think the role of matchmakers and coaches is to be educated instead of [just giving] our opinion,” she said.

Matchmakers must make trust and safety a visible part of their business.

People like Dr. Justin Garcia of the Kinsey Institute provides important research that “demonstrates what [matchmakers and coaches] should know,” Clampitt explained, which is why Dr. Garcia is also a special guest speaker at the conference.  

You may have heard that AI is taking everybody’s jobs, but Clampitt has a message for the fear-mongers in the matchmaking world: “It’s just not true,” she said. “People are always going to want to work with matchmakers, to get offline, to have coaching, [and] to better do what they’re doing.” 

This year, AI expert Liam McGregor will break down how matchmakers can use AI to their advantage instead of being intimidated by it. 

Global Love Institute Sets A High Ethical Standard 

The matchmaking client pool has never been bigger or more diverse, which means they all have their own widespread needs to consider. Matchmakers can become an accessible safe space for these daters, growing trust with them in a way AI can’t. 

And trust goes much deeper than science-backed research, as important as such research is. According to Clampitt, one of the institute’s greatest achievements is establishing a basic code of ethics in the matchmaking industry. 

There’s nothing more powerful to a matchmaking business than a certification that proves the matchmaker’s credentials, and signifies their code of ethics. At this year’s conference, attendees can sit in on GLI’s information session about certification courses to get the ball rolling on their own certification. 

By attending the conference, aspiring matchmakers can not only meet their peers, but develop new skills to help their business grow. 

“I think there’s something so special about the transition from wanting something so badly, not knowing how to get there, and then getting there through [GLI],” Clampitt said. “The institute has been just so phenomenal in creating dreams for people.”