A LEADER IN THE INDUSTRY
Over the past seven decades, Parker Seminars has grown into a global leader in chiropractic education and inspiration. Since its humble beginnings in 1951, Parker Seminars has hosted more than 430 events worldwide, training over 40,000 Doctors of Chiropractic and 200,000 chiropractic assistants. Each year, Parker continues this tradition with two major North American programs—most notably the legendary Parker Seminars Las Vegas, the largest gathering of chiropractors, chiropractic assistants, and vendors in the world. The annual Parker Seminars Dallas, held each October in conjunction with Parker University’s Homecoming, further celebrates the unity of the chiropractic community. Beyond North America, Parker Seminars has reached professionals across Japan, Europe, Mexico, and Australia, carrying Dr. Parker’s principles to an international audience.
Parker Seminars welcomes every member of the profession—regardless of philosophy or technique—creating an inclusive environment dedicated to learning, connection, and personal growth. Each event provides continuing education opportunities for both doctors and chiropractic assistants, featuring world-renowned speakers who share insights on patient communication, clinical philosophy, wellness, leadership, business, and marketing. The seminars also host the profession’s largest chiropractic expo, where attendees can explore the latest innovations in products, services, and technologies.
Through strategic alliances with international chiropractic organizations, Parker Seminars helps raise funds for research and education—continuing to advance the reach and recognition of chiropractic care around the world.
At its core, Parker Seminars remains grounded in the Parker Principles, a timeless set of life philosophies developed by Dr. James W. Parker. Chief among them is the guiding belief that defines everything Parker stands for: “Loving service is my first technique.”
Driven by this enduring vision, Parker Seminars invites all who share a passion for chiropractic to come together—to learn, to grow, and to strengthen a profession committed to improving lives through service and excellence.
Our History:
75 Years of Inspiring Chiropractic Excellence
In 1951, when much of the chiropractic profession was in flux, Dr. James W. Parker answered the call of colleagues in need. In Orlando, Florida, with only seven colleagues in attendance, he launched the first Parker Seminar—a small gathering destined to become the centerpiece of chiropractic education.
Even then, Dr. Parker had already built 18 thriving clinics across Texas in just 18 months. He presented the seminar as a “one-man show,” sharing his proven techniques in patient communication, clinical excellence, and business practice. He also pioneered protocols, systems, and motivational principles that transformed practices across the country. In support of evidence and advancement, he founded the Parker Chiropractic Research Foundation, Inc., collecting over 44,000 case studies to refine and evolve chiropractic care.
From that very first event, the energy was electrifying. Just six months later, Dr. Parker held a second seminar in St. Petersburg, Florida, where attendance nearly quadrupled. Word of the results spread—doctors across the U.S. shared their breakthroughs and urged their peers to attend.
As demand grew, Dr. Parker invited others who had succeeded under his methods to step onto the stage and teach. Over the next six years, Parker Seminars journeyed to nearly every major city in North America, delivering nearly 100 events and inspiring thousands with the Parker Principles. Dr. Parker traveled extensively—visiting over 2,000 chiropractic offices—gathering insights that sharpened his philosophy of service, success, and purpose.
In 1958, a permanent headquarters was established in Fort Worth, Texas, creating a center for research and expanded training. By 1970, the seminars had outgrown those facilities and relocated to Dallas, Texas, to better accommodate a growing global audience.
By the mid-1970s, Parker Seminars had become a force on the world stage. The 224th seminar, held in Snowmass, Colorado, drew nearly 2,500 attendees. Major events in cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Miami regularly filled large venues. In 1979, at Parker Seminars Las Vegas, over 4,400 chiropractors listened to future president Ronald Reagan—one of many luminaries who spoke under the Parker banner. A decade later, the 300th Parker Seminar, again in Las Vegas, recorded more than 8,000 participants, setting a new attendance benchmark.
As Parker Seminars expanded, so too did its guiding philosophy. Central among Dr. Parker’s life principles is “Loving service is my first technique”—a tenet that remains at the heart of everything Parker does. It’s not just a saying but a lived commitment to placing service at the forefront of practice, relationships, and community.
Now, on the eve of our 75th anniversary in 2026, we celebrate more than longevity. We celebrate an enduring legacy of service, integrity, and compassionate leadership. What began with seven colleagues in Orlando has become a global movement—one that continues to train, elevate, and inspire generations of chiropractors, assistants, and healthcare professionals to carry forward Dr. Parker’s vision of a profession rooted in loving service.
