I want to say Thank You!
I’m still processing what Christina and I have done over the last six months. When we started planning this conference, we never imagined it would become what it is today. The conference spans over two days, nearly 100 CEUs, four tracks, 12 hours of content on each track for two days, and over 85 speakers. But the truth is, we didn’t set out to make something this big—it happened because people saw the need for change and wanted to be part of something that could actually fix the problems in our field.
As many of you know, the ABA world has become increasingly divided. There’s been so much anger, fighting, and lawsuits. We’ve seen professors, researchers, clinical workers, and experts canceled and silenced. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s not what any of us want for our profession. The idea for this conference came from a simple desire: to build a space where different voices—different opinions—could come together to talk, to learn, and to collaborate for a better future.
My daughter, who’s entering this field as an SLP and BCBA, deserves a future, like all young adults, where collaboration is the norm, not the exception. That’s why I decided to do this. But as we worked, more and more people joined in. People from all walks of ABA life, who might not agree on everything but who share the same hope—that we can stop the fighting, stop the canceling, and start building something better together.
Last Friday, I received some unexpected news that gave me pause with the conference. It was a moment that led me to reflect on everything Christina and I have worked on over the past six months. As we approach October 11 and 12, I realize that no matter how things unfold, this conference has already proven something powerful: most of us in the ABA field are united in wanting the same thing. We’re ready to move past the conflicts, the divisions, and the silencing of people. We want an ABA community that values collaboration, where differences are met with discussion, not discord, and where we can find solutions to strengthen our field.
This conference is more than just an event—it’s a movement. It represents the collective desire for something bigger and better in the ABA world. I’m incredibly proud of everyone who believed in this vision, who took a chance on this conference and us, and who stepped forward to be part of this change. Together, we’ve shown that we’re not just hoping for a more unified future—we’re actively creating it.
Thank you!