A three-day Leadership Conference is being held this weekend in the twin cities.

Local leaders from both sides of the stateline are meeting to discuss ideas for cultivating a community that works together.

Leadership Texarkana Executive Director Ruth Ellen Whitt says the idea for the summit started with a simple vision.

"What is the opportunity to engage the whole community in a conversation about how to make the best of our resources and how to work well together," said Whitt.

As part of the Leadership Initiative for Texarkana or (LIFT) Program , facilitators will encourage a conversation between the two cities to come up with solutions on how to make Texarkana better.

Texas-side Mayor Bob Bruggeman and Arkansas-side Mayor Wayne Smith says they welcome the program.

Several local leaders agree that they would like to see Texarkana work together in not only crisis situations, but also pull together for good business decisions.

Leadership Texarkana organizers say the summit is just the first step in what they hope will be a bright future for all of Texarkana.

There will be a breakfast session Saturday morning at 8 a.m. in the Texarkana Country Club.

City leaders will review the summit outcomes with other leaders and citizens and discuss the best steps for moving forward.

For more information about LIFT and the city Leadership Summit, or to sign on in support of LIFT, go to www.supportlift.org.