History of the North Texas Conflict Resolution Conference

      In 2006 the idea for this conference emerged out of a sense of need. Conflict resolvers work in confidential, stressful and highly emotional settings but often cannot process their own feelings with each other. Conflict resolvers as a profession do not jointly market the problem solving processes in which they excel. Newly trained mediators, arbitrators, facilitators and other conflict resolution specialists have inadequate information about professional opportunities. There is no data base of jobs or positions for them. Established professionals in the field ordinarily do not mentor new talent in a cohesive or clear way. Because our profession is new and is not yet widely understood by the ordinary citizen, business and professional development is fraught with problems.

      For these, and many other reasons, the North Texas Conflict Resolution Conference was born (formerly called the North Texas ADR Mini-Conference). In North Texas many organizations exist to try to meet some of the needs described and more: continuing education, networking, socializing, publication of print and electronic newsletters and articles and support for ethical rules and standards of practice. Texas has one of the very few credentialing organizations for mediators. In 2007, at the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, in downtown Fort Worth, the first annual gathering of North Texas conflict resolution professionals was held. Outstanding speakers, arduous publicity and marketing, as well as the need for such a gathering resulted in a successful conference on many levels: financial, academic, practical and fun. The sponsors for the first conference were the dispute resolution centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, the Tarrant County Association of Mediators, the Association for Conflict Resolution in Dallas and the Conflict Resolution Network in Plano.

      The idea became reality and has become this annual conference. Expanded sponsorships, better marketing, a conference theme and the hard work of the many volunteers have produced this event. The proceeds raised will be used to further the professionals who work in this field. This is the only consortium of conflict specialists in North Texas that is striving to improve our professionalism and simultaneously to heighten awareness of our skills and processes in the minds of consumers. We are inclusive, innovative, dedicated to diversity and other important core principles; and we hope that by bringing together the best of the best each year, we can meet the needs of our profession. The sponsors, organizers and speakers salute you - this is YOUR conference.

Kay Elkins - Elliott
Mediator, Professor, Attorney, Author and Trainer
Conference Founder
April, 2008