ARTICLE
It’s been two weeks since Chiro Texpo ’26 – The ATX Experience, and our team is still in recovery mode. Putting on a state convention is exhausting, but it was worth it. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors. Thanks to everyone who completed the post-Chiro Texpo survey! After almost a decade in DFW, we switched cities, returning to Austin for the first time since 2011. That’s way too long! We were concerned about attracting local chiropractors to our state convention after so many years away, but Austin-area DCs showed up in big numbers, and we had our strongest turnout post-COVID. That bodes well for 2027 and beyond! My ED Message today is pretty simple: THANK YOU! I wanted to acknowledge the people behind the scenes and on the big stage who made Chiro Texpo ’26 possible: 1. TCA Executives and Leadership – The event was a fitting adios for our captain, Immediate Past President Dr. Don White. Don has given his heart and soul to TCA, and it was truly an honor to serve on his team. We are so excited about our 2025-26 TCA Executive Officers – President Dr. Andrew Oteo, Vice President Dr. Korey Rose, and Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Shawn McHone. Watching them get sworn in at the President’s Gala was a highlight because I know they will bring game-changing energy and leadership to our association. Kudos to our TCA Board of Directors for your dedication and warm hospitality. 2. Education & Events Committee – What an incredible group of chiropractors, chaired by the unstoppable Dr. Jennifer Gardner! They put together a high-caliber line-up, hauling in big-name speakers like Dr. Sherry McAllister, Dr. Monika Buerger, etc. They made some tweaks to the schedule. The changes were well-received, with packed classrooms – especially the popular Adjust Lab. We also had quite a few younger chiropractors on hand, which is fantastic. The committee worked for a solid year to make Chiro Texpo ’26 so special. Awesome job! 3. The Ladies of TCA – A year ago, it was The Pink Party, but the newly created Texas Women’s Chiropractic Collaborative took it to the next level with the Boots & Bubbles Women’s Luncheon. The female DCs and students had a blast, giving us a taste of Austin glam. Dr. Gardner, Dr. Sammie Mees, and the entire TWCC crew delivered. What will they do for an encore in 2027? 4. Award Winners – The President’s Gala is a time to celebrate the people who make TCA – and chiropractic in Texas, for that matter – a one-of-a-kind community. I want to give a shoutout to a couple of the honorees – Keeler Plaque honoree Dr. Todd Whitehead, Young Chiropractor of the Year Dr. Jennifer Gardner, and H. Ford Johnson Membership recipient Dr. Stacey Rodgers. So many deserving winners! 5. Next Gen in the House – Chiro Texpo ’26 wasn’t in Dallas or Houston, so we were understandably concerned about getting students to Austin. No problem! Next Gen Chair Dr. Rachel Gammon and her team delivered a powerhouse program that drew students from Parker University and Texas Chiropractic College who were eager to learn and connect. Over the next decade or so, we hope these future DCs will grow into TCA leaders because of a single, impactful weekend at Chiro Texpo. 6. Our Sponsors and Exhibitors – Let’s start with TCA Platinum Partner J.D. Silva & Associates, in particular our CDI Champion Award winner Johnathan Silva. Chiro Texpo would not happen without all the companies who packed the sold-out Texpo Exhibit Hall and sponsored the gala, luncheons, breakfasts, coffee breaks, and special events. Please reach out to them in the coming weeks and, if you choose one of their products or services, let them know you met them at Chiro Texpo. Believe me, it makes a difference! 7. The Sensational Six – Most importantly, I want to highlight our incredible team – staffers Maggie Thompson and Farren Curtis, Faith and Kenneth Gladden and their colleagues at Gladden & Associates, and our social media rock star/ace photographer Kayla Prasak – for your Herculean efforts in the weeks leading up to Chiro Texpo, during the event, and afterwards. It was also nice to coax Janet Ashgar out of retirement, for a weekend anyway. Thank you for making me – and TCA – look good! So, what’s next? We are thrilled to announce Chiro Texpo ’27 will return to Austin, June 25-27, 2027, at the Austin Hilton. We’re gearing up to make next year bigger and better, but we need your help. Got a suggestion – a speaker, session, or big idea? Email us at info@chirotexas.org, and we will share your comments with the Education & Events Committee. Enjoy the rest of your summer and hope to see you at Chiro Texpo ’27 in Austin. Bring friends with you to the party! Jeff Jenkins, CAE TCA Executive Director/COO