National ADR Organizations Unite to Launch First Virtual ADR Fair Focused on Expanding Career Pathways into Conflict Resolution

Early Career Alternative Dispute Resolution Network (ECADRN), the Ray Corollary Initiative, Cornell University’s Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution, and the American Arbitration Association announce a first-of-its-kind national initiative designed to strengthen awareness, expand access, and build clearer career pathways into Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Four organizations have come together to launch the inaugural Virtual ADR Fair: Mapping the ADR Landscape—From Curiosity to Career—a first-of-its-kind educational event designed to help students, career changers, early-career professionals, and aspiring neutrals explore and navigate the many pathways into the ADR profession.

Convened by the Early Career Alternative Dispute Resolution Network (ECADRN) in collaboration with the Ray Corollary Initiative (RCI), the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at Cornell University’s ILR School, and the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the free national event will take place virtually on November 12, 2026.

Why This Matters

As demand for conflict resolution services continues to grow, the ADR profession — which includes mediators, arbitrators, ombuds, and neutral investigators, facilitators, and other conflict resolution professionals — is approaching an important transition. In certain areas of ADR, many experienced neutrals are nearing retirement, while aspiring professionals often struggle to understand how to enter the field. Career pathways are spread across numerous organizations, academic institutions, and training providers, making it difficult for newcomers to see the profession as a connected whole. The Virtual ADR Fair was created to help bridge that gap by bringing ADR organizations together in one accessible, collaborative event.

A National Initiative

The Virtual ADR Fair reflects a shared commitment to strengthen awareness, expand access, and create clearer career pathways for the next generation of conflict resolution professionals.

The Early Career Alternative Dispute Resolution Network (ECADRN) serves as the convener of the Virtual ADR Fair. As a national nonprofit supporting emerging ADR professionals, ECADRN brings together organizations, educators, practitioners, and institutions to create more visible and connected career pathways into the field.

The Ray Corollary Initiative (RCI) is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding opportunities within the ADR profession by promoting broader access and greater utilization of talented neutrals from diverse professional and life experiences.

The Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at Cornell University’s ILR School serves as the Fair’s Host University Partner. A recognized leader in conflict resolution education, research, and practice, the Institute is providing the Zoom Events platform and helping connect students, educators, practitioners, and ADR organizations from across the country.

The American Arbitration Association (AAA), the world’s largest not-for-profit provider of alternative dispute resolution services, brings decades of leadership in mediation, arbitration, and conflict resolution. Its collaboration helps expand awareness of the profession while strengthening career pathways for future ADR professionals.

Together, they are working to make career pathways into ADR more visible, accessible, and connected for the next generation of conflict resolution professionals.

What Participants Will Experience

The Virtual ADR Fair offers a unique opportunity to explore the breadth of today’s ADR profession, all in one free, virtual event.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Hear a keynote address from Professor Homer La Rue, Chair of the Ray Corollary Initiative, on the future of the ADR profession. 
• Explore live breakout sessions hosted by professional associations, ADR providers, academic institutions, and training organizations. 
• Meet experienced practitioners and organizational leaders while asking questions and learning about real-world career pathways. 
• Visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall to discover additional resources, programs, and opportunities across the ADR community. 
• Access a post-event digital resource library featuring session recordings and presentation materials for continued learning. 

Whether you’re a student, an early-career professional, a career changer, or an experienced practitioner exploring new opportunities, the Virtual ADR Fair is designed to help you better understand the people, organizations, and pathways that make up today’s ADR landscape.

Why Organizations Should Participate
The Virtual ADR Fair offers organizations a unique opportunity to engage with the next generation of ADR professionals while demonstrating their commitment to helping shape the future of the profession. By participating, organizations can showcase their mission, programs, career pathways, and educational opportunities; connect directly with students, emerging professionals, and career changers; and collaborate with fellow leaders from across the ADR community. Participating organizations will help create a more visible, accessible, and connected ADR profession—one that inspires and supports those considering careers in conflict resolution.

Registration is now open for organizations interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the Virtual ADR Fair. Registration for students and other attendees will open in September. Organizations interested in participating are encouraged to reserve their space early and become part of this national collaborative effort to expand awareness of ADR careers.

Register here. 

Meet the Voices Behind the Virtual ADR Fair

Leaders from the collaborating organizations shared why they believe this initiative is important and what they hope it will accomplish for the future of the ADR profession.

Jane Hayman, ECARDN

Alternative Dispute Resolution has the power to change lives, yet too many people simply don’t know the opportunities that exist within our profession. My hope is that the Virtual ADR Fair helps people see not only the many career paths available, but also the meaningful impact they can have by helping others resolve conflict with understanding, dignity, and respect.

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Hanni Weigand, ECADRN

The Virtual ADR Fair was created to make career pathways into ADR more visible, accessible, and connected. By bringing organizations together in one place, we’re helping people discover opportunities they may never have known existed.

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Jeff Zaino— Veritext

The strength of the ADR profession has always been its willingness to collaborate, learn from one another, and work toward better outcomes. The Virtual ADR Fair brings organizations together around a shared purpose, strengthening our profession by making it easier for the next generation to discover the many opportunities ADR has to offer.

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Katrina Nobles, Cornell University’s Scheinman Institute

Education is often where careers in ADR begin. By connecting students, educators, and professional organizations in one place, the Virtual ADR Fair helps bridge the gap between learning about ADR and becoming part of the profession. I’m excited to see so many organizations working together to support the next generation of neutrals.

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Chris Heagarty, RCI

At the Ray Corollary Initiative (RCI), we believe that strengthening the ADR profession requires collaboration across organizations and a commitment to developing a deep and diverse pool of future practitioners. We’re proud to support the Virtual ADR Fair because it helps to remove the obstacles and barriers many experience as they start out exploring the many paths available within ADR.

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Prof. Homer La Rue, RCI

The future of Alternative Dispute Resolution depends on our ability to inspire, prepare, and support those who will follow us. The Virtual ADR Fair is more than an event—it’s an investment in the future of our profession and an opportunity to ensure that the next generation of ADR professionals reflects the diversity, talent, and commitment our communities deserve.

Together, these voices reflect a shared commitment to strengthening the ADR profession by making career pathways more visible, accessible, and connected for future generations.

About ECADRN:

The Early Career Alternative Dispute Resolution Network (ECADRN) is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating a more inclusive, accessible, and widely recognized field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ECADRN supports emerging professionals by offering centralized tools, mentorship, and a supportive network to launch and thrive in ADR.

Learn more about ECADRN here. 

About the Ray Corollary Initiative

The Ray Corollary Initiative (RCI) is a nonprofit committed to utilizing all of the available talent in dispute resolution. The mission of RCI is to encourage ADR providers and selectors to increase the utilization of neutrals with wide-ranging work and life experiences, while maintaining the parties’ autonomy to make the selection decision.

Learn more about RCI here.

About the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at Cornell ILR School

The Martin and Laurie Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution is the preeminent institute in the world focused on workplace conflict. The mission of the Scheinman Institute is to study the causes of workplace conflict, develop methods and cultures for managing it, and provide education and training to help individuals and organizations navigate workplace conflict. Learn more about the Scheinman Institute here.

About the American Arbitration Association

The not-for-profit American Arbitration Association® (AAA®) is the world’s largest provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services, supporting businesses, public institutions, and individuals worldwide. Learn more about the AAA here. 

The RCI, Inc.’s operations are made possible by generous support from:
The AAA-ICDR Foundation
The JAMS Foundation