ASHA has made the decision that all participants at the in-person 2021 ASHA Convention in Washington, D.C., whether a presenter, attendee, exhibitor, staff, guest, or vendor, will be required to be fully vaccinated. Participants must provide proof of vaccination to register for the in-person event. Accommodations may be offered on a case-by-case basis for any in-person participant who is unable to be vaccinated due to disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs. We are encouraging mask use for all, though fully vaccinated attendees will not be required to wear them.
We arrived at this decision by evaluating public guidance on safety requirements and procedures, our meeting space, our own event requirements, the expected number of attendees, and the fact that conditions continue to evolve. We are confident that we are proceeding in accordance with current best practices to create the safest possible environment, which is our top priority.
Earlier this year, we decided to offer the 2021 ASHA Convention a hybrid event, to allow for in-person or virtual participation. You have the option of registering for the in-person event or for access to the ASHA Convention Virtual Library only. We respect that everyone who chooses to participate will make the best decision for themselves and that everyone holds personal accountability for their choice.
If you are unable to meet the vaccination requirement, or are unable to follow the process for accommodations, we encourage you to register for the Virtual Library.
We are continuing to monitor and evaluate the outlook for in-person events and will share updates as they are available. We will be posting more information about what you can expect onsite as we get closer to our event dates.
Read more about how to verify your vaccination before you register. The online verification process is quick, simple, secure and HIPAA-compliant.
The 2021 ASHA Convention will be a hybrid event, pairing an in-person convention with an online library of pre-recorded digital sessions. You have the choice of either registering to attend the in-person ASHA Convention, or registering at a discounted rate to gain access just to the ASHA Convention Virtual Library.
The ASHA Convention in Washington, D.C., will take place November 18–20 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. It will be a return to the traditional (though smaller) convention experience that you’ve missed—featuring in-person learning and a vibrant exhibit hall—PLUS access to the Virtual Library.
The ASHA Convention Virtual Library, open from November 15–22, is an online platform that will provide access to hundreds of pre-recorded sessions over an extended 8-day period, allowing you to learn on your own schedule. Posters will even feature live, virtual Q&A sessions, so you can interact with presenters and other attendees in real time. (In-person sessions will NOT be recorded or live-streamed for the Virtual Library.) The Virtual Library will also feature interactive exhibitor profiles, so you can browse companies and organizations offering products and services for the professions.
Notifications of acceptance/non-acceptance for the 2021 ASHA Convention Call for Papers were e-mailed to all authors listed on proposals on July 15, 2021. Please e-mail papers@asha.org if you have any questions.
The form for affiliate groups to request space to hold related meetings and events during the in-person ASHA Convention is now available. The deadline to submit space requests is August 31.
Student volunteers assist in various roles during the in-person ASHA Convention. Learn more about the qualifications and apply by September 9, 2021. Please e-mail papers@asha.org if you have any questions.
With the anticipation of being able to hold in-person activities, registration and housing will open on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, since our traditional date for opening, August 1, falls on a Sunday this year.
We’ve modified the registration fees for 2021, offering an extended early bird discount period for in-person registration, and discounted rates for virtual-only registration. Participants must provide proof of vaccination to register for the in-person event. You do not need to be registered to reserve a hotel room.