Registration Opens for the USA's Only Event Accessibility Conference

Registration opens for the USA's only event accessibility conference

Registration is now open for the Accessible Events Show USA, taking place on December 4, 2026, at United Way Worldwide headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and online.

The gap this show closes

The timing is deliberate. One in four U.S. adults lives with a disability, according to the CDC, and a DOJ rule requires state and local governments to bring their websites and apps up to WCAG 2.1 AA standards starting April 2027. That mandate also reaches the vendors and contractors who serve them, making accessibility a compliance issue for much of the events industry, not just a values statement.

The Accessible Events Show USA exists to close that gap. American organizers have already made real progress: captioning is increasingly standard, access statements are becoming routine, and more teams are budgeting for accommodations before they are asked. The show builds on that momentum by getting into the practical detail: how to write an access statement that people can act on, how to brief a captioner, what to budget for ASL, how to test a registration flow, and how to run a hybrid room where the online audience is not an afterthought.

It also covers the areas organizers ask about most and find least documented. Designing events that work for neurodivergent attendees, from quiet rooms and sensory planning to predictable schedules and clear wayfinding. It also covers building emergency procedures and evacuation plans that account for every attendee, which remains one of the most overlooked risks in event planning.

Proven in London

The Accessible Events Show launched in London in 2025 and drew 600 delegates from more than 15 countries. In its first year, it took the EN Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and a Silver at the Cool Event Awards for Disruptor Attitude, two honors very few debut events have won in the same year.

"Bringing the Accessible Events Show to the U.S. is an exciting opportunity to grow the conversation around event accessibility internationally. We want to give event professionals practical ideas, knowledge, and connections that will help them create more inclusive experiences, and to showcase the people and organizations already doing brilliant work in this space. I'm really looking forward to learning from the U.S. events community and building a platform that can create lasting change.", Catherine Grinyer, Co-founder, Accessible Events Show, and Director, Attendable

Built for the U.S. market

The response in London made a U.S. edition the obvious next step. The American show carries the same format and the same standard, with a program built for U.S. organizers and U.S. compliance requirements.

"U.S. organizers are starting to prioritize accessibility, but there's still a real gap in knowledge and awareness, and that's exactly the gap Accessible Events Show is perfectly positioned to close. We're looking forward to working closely with the UK team to help make American events truly accessible and inclusive. Whether you're planning a small internal meeting or a major conference, we invite you to join us, virtually or in person, and be part of that shift.", Hiral Bhatt, Co-Director, Accessible Events Show USA

About the program

On December 4, the Accessible Events Show USA will cover digital accessibility, hybrid production, assistive technology, and WCAG conformance through keynotes, panels, and hands-on workshops. Speakers include accessibility experts, event organizers, and disabled professionals sharing lived experience. A sponsor showcase will connect planners directly with captioning providers, ASL interpreters, and accessible design consultants.

The event is hybrid by design, not by convenience. The online experience is a full seat at the show, because a conference about accessibility should not require anyone to travel in order to take part.

About Accessible Events Show

AES is the only event in the world built entirely around accessibility in the events industry. Even more uniquely, industry insiders co-founded it, including Shani Dhanda, one of the UK's most recognized disability advocates; Orla Pearson, one of the events industry's leading accessibility innovators and Co-Founder of AccessLOOP; and Catherine Grinyer, a recognized leader in accessible event design and Co-Founder of Attendable.

Register today

Early Bird pricing ends November 20. Book your in-person seat or claim a free virtual pass at www.aesusa.org/registration

Sponsorship

Want your brand in front of the event professionals shaping accessible events? A limited number of sponsor and exhibitor packages are still available. Email us or visit aesusa.org/sponsorship

Follow AES USA for the latest updates

LinkedIn: @aesusaorg Instagram: @aes.usa YouTube: @aesusa