Pennsylvania Council of Mediators

What Pennsylvania Council of Mediators does

Pennsylvania Council of Mediators (PCM) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional membership organization founded in 1987 and headquartered in Pennsylvania (principal office in Bucks County; mailing address in Oakmont). It serves as the recognized statewide trade body for mediators, bringing together individual practitioners, community mediation centers, students, and volunteer mediators across the Commonwealth. PCM's core deliverables are a 38-year-running annual conference, a Find a Mediator searchable online directory, basic and specialty mediation trainings (including a 32-hour virtual Basic Mediation Training and a 21-hour Restorative Circle Process training), and a quarterly newsletter. It also curates a network of 10 community mediation centers across Pennsylvania that deliver direct mediation services to the public.

PCM's revenue model is built on low-friction annual membership dues (Individual/Organization $70, Volunteer $35, Student $25-45), conference and training registration fees (with member discounts of 10%), and a tiered donation program ($25-100). Members gain visibility through the directory, professional liability insurance access via Complete Equity Markets, advocacy representation (notably the 1993 mediator confidentiality privilege), and continuing-education opportunities. Distribution is digital-direct via pamediation.org supplemented by the annual conference and regional co-sponsorships with the Association for Conflict Resolution - Greater Philadelphia Chapter and Mediation Council of Western PA.

PCM operates essentially no proprietary technology beyond a standard website, member portal, and directory; AI/ML capabilities are not present. Strategic positioning rests on regulatory and standards-setting leadership (1993 confidentiality privilege, 2008 Model Standards endorsement, 2018 Best Practices adoption), community ecosystem convening, and durable relationships with the Pennsylvania Bar Association and legal-services sponsors. Headcount is reported at 101-250, though this likely reflects affiliated mediator/community-center counts rather than paid staff given the very modest per-member pricing.

Name

Pennsylvania Council of Mediators

Legal name

Pennsylvania Council of Mediators, Inc.

Website

https://pamediation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Pennsylvania Council of Mediators is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional membership organization serving Pennsylvania mediators through training, credentialing, an annual conference, a Find a Mediator directory, and advocacy for the mediation field.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK), Registration, Housing & Travel Desk Services (Delegate Logistics) (THAHACAJ), Conference Communications, Marketing & Community Engagement (THAHACAN)

Keywords

• Professional mediation association
• Mediation training programs
• Dispute resolution membership
• Conflict resolution education
• Community mediation network

Headquarters

HQ city

Lancaster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from individual, organizational, volunteer, and student members form the core revenue stream. Individual/Professional membership is $70/year, Organization membership is $70/year, Volunteer membership is $35/year, and Student membership is $25/year (or $45 for two years).
2. Annual Conference Registration: The organization hosts an annual conference with registration fees. Members receive reduced rates compared to non-members. The conference typically includes pre-conference training sessions.
3. Training Programs: PCM offers basic and advanced mediation training programs. Basic Mediation Training is 32 hours in virtual format. Training registration fees apply, with members receiving a 10% discount.
4. Donations: The organization accepts donations through its Be A Friend program with tiered donation levels ($25-$100) that provide recognition benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pennsylvania Council of Mediators (PCM) is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) professional membership organization that serves mediators across Pennsylvania through tiered membership, a statewide online mediator directory, basic and specialty mediation training programs, and an annual conference. The organization also connects members to professional liability insurance and advocates for mediation legislation. Founded in 1987, it operates as the principal statewide association promoting the practice of mediation and alternative dispute resolution.

Product overview

The Pennsylvania Council of Mediators operates as a membership-based professional organization offering mediation training programs, an annual conference, and a mediator referral directory. The core offerings include Basic Mediation Training (32-hour virtual program), Restorative Circle Process Training, and an annual conference for networking and skill-building. Member services encompass a searchable Find a Mediator directory, training discounts, newsletter publications, conference access, and access to professional liability insurance. The organization also supports a network of 10 community mediation centers throughout Pennsylvania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PCM Membership Tiered annual membership program for mediators across Pennsylvania. Individual/Professional ($70/year), Organization ($70/year), Volunteer ($35/year), and Student ($25/year or $45 for two years) tiers. Benefits include listing in the Find a Mediator directory, 10% discount on select trainings, reduced annual conference rates, quarterly newsletter, and access to professional liability insurance through Complete Equity Markets.
• Basic Mediation Training

Quantifiable outcome

• Mediation confidentiality privilege enacted in Pennsylvania in 1993 through PCM advocacy

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Minnesota Lawyers MutualcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor of the 38th Annual PCM Conference. MLM provides professional liability insurance and risk management services for attorneys in Pennsylvania and 15 other states. Founded by lawyers in 1982, MLM exemplifies an AM Best Rating of A (excellent) and consistent dividend returns.
• Law Offices of Maribeth Blessing, LLCmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor of the 38th Annual PCM Conference. Family law firm focusing on helping individuals and families discover effective resolutions to family law issues.
• Glidden ADR, LLCmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor of the 38th Annual PCM Conference. A law firm specializing in mediation and arbitration services.
• KLM Attorneys, LLCmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor of the 38th Annual PCM Conference. A law firm focusing on discreet areas of law with deep knowledge rather than broad coverage.
• Caruso School of LawmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor of the 38th Annual PCM Conference. Pepperdine Law School known for distinctive community marked by excellence, Christian values, and rigorous legal training.
• Pennsylvania Bar AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026In 1993, PCM partnered with the Pennsylvania Bar Association to develop and pass legislation granting mediators a confidentiality privilege comparable to that enjoyed by social workers, clergy, and psychiatrists.
• Complete Equity MarketsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides professional liability insurance access to PCM members. Contact: Kaitlyn Hassall at 847-777-7426. No membership number required when completing the form.
• Association for Conflict Resolution - Greater Philadelphia ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of multiple annual PCM conferences. Networking and education for practitioners in conflict resolution across Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Southern New Jersey.
• Mediation Council of Western PAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of multiple annual PCM conferences. Organization focused on resolving disputes, managing conflicts, and supporting mediators.
• AdvozcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPCM member center offering in-person and online mediation trainings. PCM Members qualify for a discount on Professional Registration with coupon code PCMDISC. Formed in 2017 from merger of two Lancaster programs.
• Pepperdine University School of Law Straus InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrainer Zena D. Zumeta serves as adjunct professor at Pepperdine University School of Law's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Mediation Council of Western PA: Regional Pennsylvania mediator membership and co-sponsor of PCM's annual conference. Closely comparable in mission and operating geography, serving mediators in Western PA while PCM covers the entire state.
• ACR – Greater Philadelphia Chapter: Philadelphia-area chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution and direct PCM partner/co-sponsor. Comparable in mission (mediator membership, training, networking) and overlaps directly with PCM in the Southeast PA market.

Direct peers

• International Mediation Institute (IMI): International credentialing body for mediators. Comparable to PCM's training and credentialing functions, providing certification pathways and standards comparable to PCM's Model Standards endorsement and training programs.
• National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM): National membership association for community mediation programs. Highly comparable to PCM's community mediation center network, with overlapping training, standards, and advocacy functions for mediator practitioners across the U.S.
• Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR): National membership organization for conflict resolution practitioners. A direct peer to PCM: both serve mediators and practitioners through membership, training, standards setting, and an annual conference (ACR co-sponsors PCM's event via its Greater Philadelphia Chapter).

Broad incumbents

• JAMS: Major private ADR provider offering mediation, arbitration, and dispute resolution services nationwide. A broader incumbent in the same professional services category—mediation—where PCM operates, though JAMS focuses on case administration while PCM focuses on practitioner enablement.
• American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution: ABA's specialist section for ADR lawyers and neutrals. Provides training, conferences, and credentials comparable to PCM, but operates inside a much larger legal-professional infrastructure and serves a broader audience than Pennsylvania-only mediators.
• American Arbitration Association (AAA): Largest U.S. ADR services organization offering arbitration, mediation, and industry-wide standards. Co-author of the Model Standards of Conduct endorsed by PCM. Operates broadly across ADR, with mediation as one offering in a larger portfolio.

Emerging players

• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC): Interdisciplinary association for family court professionals including mediators. Comparable in offering training and conferences for family mediation—a core vertical for PCM members (e.g., family and custody mediation referrals through the directory).

Others

• Mediate.com: Online mediation directory and information platform. Comparable to PCM's Find a Mediator directory in function (mediator discovery), but operates as a broader commercial platform rather than a state-level membership association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pamediation
• Facebookfacebook.com/PaMediation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-council-of-mediators

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania Council of Mediators