Location:

Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA. 19107
www.paconvention.com

Early Registration Price: $500.00
Early Registration Cutoff Date: On or Before August 12, 2026.
NOTE: We must receive registration form (with payment arrangements indicated) by this date for early registration rate to be honored.
Regular Price: $600.00 After 8/12/26

Conference Description

Spend a day with experienced labor arbitrators who understand the practical side of grievance handling and arbitration hearings. Collectively, the faculty have heard thousands of cases and will share the arbitral and legal principles that govern discipline, contract interpretation, evidence, advocacy, and workplace disputes.

Throughout the day, participants will explore both foundational concepts and recent arbitration decisions through lectures, panel discussions, and practical case analysis. Whether you are new to labor relations or an experienced practitioner, you’ll gain practical strategies that can be immediately applied to grievance investigations, contract administration, and arbitration advocacy.

Your time is valuable, and this conference is designed to maximize the investment in your professional development. The agenda above provides additional details about each session, and faculty members welcome questions throughout the day.

Faculty

All of the faculty members have decades of experience as labor arbitrators. They enjoy teaching and helping advocates who process grievances and prepare and present arbitration cases.

Barbara Lichtman is a highly regarded arbitrator and mediator with extensive experience serving on FMCS arbitration panels.

Joan Parker is a graduate of Cornell University and former professor of Labor Relations at Rutgers University. For several decades she has served as the sole arbitrator under numerous high-profile and industry-wide labor agreements.

DeAndra Roache is a prominent labor arbitrator serving on numerous public and private sector arbitration panels with extensive national labor relations experience.

Samantha Tower is a highly respected labor arbitrator based in Philadelphia. Prior to becoming an arbitrator, she served as Deputy Director of Labor Relations for the City of Boston.

Recertification Credits

HRCI: This program has been approved for 07 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

SHRM: This program has been approved for 07 PDCs credit hours toward SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM recertification through SHRM.

CLE: This program may be eligible for CLE credit in your state. If you would like to self-report, we can provide you with the necessary materials.

To request any of these recertification credits, please send an email to ilrcustomerservice@cornell.edu upon completion of the program.

Facility Description

The conference will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, located in the heart of downtown Philadelphia. The Convention Center is surrounded by many of the city’s renowned restaurants, theaters, shopping districts, and historic attractions, all within walking distance.

The facility is easily accessible by car via Interstate 95 and is approximately ten miles from Philadelphia International Airport. Public transportation is equally convenient, with SEPTA’s Airport Line providing direct service to Center City and the Convention Center, while Amtrak serves nearby 30th Street Station.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

For overnight accommodations, we recommend the following hotels located near the Pennsylvania Convention Center:

Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia
1100 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-923-0100

Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City
1180 Ludlow Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-258-9400

Hampton Inn Philadelphia Center City
1301 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-665-9100