The Ray Corollary Initiative, Inc. (RCI) will partner with the National Academy of Arbitrators to host a “Next-Gen Neutrals Spotlight” event at the NAA 2026 Annual Meeting & Education Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

This networking reception will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 from 2:00PM – 4:3O PM, at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile and is open to invited arbitrators and to selectors and advocates who have registered for the conference. Among the participating arbitrators, a select number of newer “Next-Gen” (short for “Next Generation”) neutrals will be introduced to selectors and their career and professional information will be made available to take home.

The Ray Corollary Initiative, Inc. (RCI) is hosting this event as part of the RCI’s mission to identify and utilize all of the available talent in the dispute resolution field. Specifically, the RCI seeks to provide opportunities for those who select ADR professionals and for qualified professionals who have not had the same exposure as more established neutrals, to meet, connect, and overcome some of the difficulties that exist in forming new business relationships. This event is not intended for senior, well-established arbitrators.

All participants must register in advance to receive an invitation. Please read on for more information.

If you are attending the NAA 2026 Annual Meeting & Education Conference in Chicago, please sign up to receive an invitation to this event. You will have a chance to meet and socialize with experienced arbitrators and explore new business relationships with dozens of neutrals you may have not yet met. If you tend to “go with who you know”, it is time to expand the list of who you know and diversify your potential selection pool.

Are you a Next-Gen neutral?

This event is specifically designed for new and emerging arbitrators, not those already well established in their practice. Please watch this video from one of our speed-networking events to hear from other arbitrators about the benefits of these programs.

If you are attending the NAA 2026 Annual Meeting & Education Conference in Chicago, please apply to receive an invitation to this event. While every opportunity will be made to allow as much participation as possible in this event, space and time limitations may limit the number of invitations available.

The Next-Gen Neutrals Spotlight event is NOT a speed-networking event, like Meet the Neutrals. Instead, it presents a relaxed social event to meet and mingle with selectors attending the NAA Annual Conference and to be lifted into the “spotlight”, introduced to attendees with a brief, and to have your resume and other information shared with potential new business connections. Invited arbitrators will be invited to submit career and professional information that will be shared with selectors for them to take home after the event.

Are you interested?

Arbitrators

Arbitrator Application Deadline: Noon, Thursday, April 30th

Arbitrator Invitation Request Link: Invitation Request Application

Invitations will be sent to arbitrator applicants starting on May 4th. 

Invitations to be selectors will be confirmed upon registration. Invited arbitrators will be charged a $45 fee for their participation.

Selectors and Advocates

Selector Registration Deadline: Noon, Friday, May 15, 2026.

Selector Registration Link: Selector Registration Form

Invitations to be selectors will be confirmed upon registration.

Questions

Please contact the RCI with any additional questions you might have about this event. For questions about logistics for the NAA 2026 Annual Meeting & Education Conference in Chicago, please contact the NAA directly.

Selector Registration Link: Selector Registration Form