The Convention Co-Chair for Audiology, Mark DeRuiter, and the Convention Co-Chair for Speech-Language Pathology, Edie Hapner, welcome you to the 2022 ASHA Convention, explain the development of our theme, and share program updates.
The ASHA Convention is returning as a hybrid event this year! The in-person event, taking place November 17–19 in New Orleans, will once again be paired with the Virtual Library of pre-recorded sessions. We heard your feedback and are excited to announce that Virtual Library will be open for an extended period this year, from November 10–28. We are also looking forward to offering a limited number of pre-determined live-streamed (slides and audio only) sessions in the Virtual Library. We are pleased to bring back in-person posters sessions and will be returning to our traditional, busy Exhibit Hall. Stay tuned for more updates on more changes and improvements.
Our 2022 theme, “Reframe Your Thinking: Resilience Reinvented,” is a challenge to reexamine how we think of resilience. ASHA members embody resilience. You teach resiliency skills to help your patients, clients, colleagues, and students, but never have you needed to embrace and draw upon your own knowledge and skills more than over the past couple of years. Resilience is not just an ability to learn from challenges and rebound, but an opportunity to use the foundational building blocks we all have that allow us to grow. The path to resilience is different for everyone and draws on our unique strengths, resources, and support systems. This year we are reframing, rethinking, and reinventing resilience by appreciating our skills, celebrating our discoveries, and taking pride in how we’ve grown, both professionally and personally.
ASHA Leadership has set a policy for vaccination and masking for all live events. Proof of full vaccination will be required for all able and eligible individuals to register for an in-person event. Full vaccination is defined as two doses of a two-dose vaccine series (e.g., Pfizer, Moderna) or one dose of a one-dose vaccine series (J&J). Unvaccinated individuals may register for live events, however, a negative PCR/molecular or antigen test administered onsite at the event will be required for participation. The destination may also apply additional conditions and requirements for unvaccinated individuals. We will follow the event destination’s masking requirements and will update our policy at least 30 days in advance of the event.
For the 2022 ASHA Convention, we are following the vaccination and masking guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines in cooperation with our host destination, New Orleans.
Proof of full vaccination is required for all able and eligible individuals to register for the in-person ASHA Convention this year. We anticipate that the CDC may update its vaccination guidelines to include booster doses, therefore, we strongly encourage proof of a booster as well.
Unvaccinated individuals may register, however, a negative PCR/molecular or antigen test administered onsite at the ASHA Convention will be required for participation. Registrant badges will not be mailed in advance to unvaccinated individuals; badges may only be picked up onsite after testing negative.
The masking guidelines issued by the CDC and local jurisdictions are currently evolving, so we will provide a definitive policy for masks 30 days before the in-person ASHA Convention begins.
If you are unable to meet the vaccination and masking requirements, we encourage you to register for the Virtual Library.
The Call for Co-Chairs for the 2024 ASHA Convention is open. Each year two co-chairs (one for audiology and one for speech-language pathology) are selected to plan for and lead the ASHA Convention. Learn more about the responsibilities, eligibility requirements, and how to apply or nominate a colleague. The deadline to submit an application or nomination is May 31, 2022.