ASHA Convention: Receptions and Open Houses

A number of social events provide time for attendees to relax and connect with colleagues and friends. From the Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall to networking meet-ups for specialty groups, there are many ways to add some fun to your professional development at the ASHA Convention.

Some events may require tickets (as noted); tickets may be purchased or reserved through Registration.

Wednesday, November 20

First-Timers' Welcome
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Orange County Convention Center, F1 (Tangerine Ballroom)

Is this your first ASHA Convention? Come to this popular gathering to get an overview of our annual event and to preview programs and activities slated for the next three days. You'll have an opportunity to meet the ASHA president and Convention co-chairs, as well as other ASHA staff and volunteer representatives who can provide answers and guidance for your first ASHA Convention. The First-Timers' Welcome is also a great opportunity to connect with others attending for the first time. Enjoy light refreshments.

ASHA-PAC Reception (Ticketed)
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Orlando, Urban Tide

All ASHA members are invited to spend the evening with the ASHA-PAC Board at Urban Tide restaurant, overlooking the Grotto Pool at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. This special event benefits the ASHA Political Action Committee, which serves as the political voice of the audiology and speech-language pathology professions on Capitol Hill. Tickets are available through registration only to ASHA members for a $60* contribution or may be purchased (as available) at the door. Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.

*All new ASHA-PAC contributors who attend the event pay only $30 at the door!

Thursday, November 21

Special Address Celebrating the ASHA Office of Multicultural Affairs' 50th Anniversary*
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Orange County Convention Center, 320 (Chapin Theater)

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, ASHA continues to address access, equity, and inclusion in communication sciences and disorders across a variety of dimensions of diversity, including race and ethnicity. For years, ASHA has looked for innovative and constructive ways to have conversations about race and identity. Ijeoma Oluo, author of So You Want to Talk About Race will provide attendees with candid and practical insight in response to common questions related to race. Copies of her book will be available for purchase, and the author will be available for a book signing following the presentation.

*This special address is NOT eligible for ASHA CEUs/PDHs.

Welcome in the Exhibit Hall
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Orange County Convention Center, Hall B4-D1

Join us in the Exhibit Hall to catch up with friends and colleagues and mingle with exhibitors. This break provides dedicated time to check out the exhibiting companies, socialize, and network, all while recharging your battery with light snacks before you head to the evening sessions. The Welcome in the Exhibit Hall is open to all fully registered attendees.

My Beautiful Stutter
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Orlando, Plaza H

Join us for a special screening of My Beautiful Stutter. This engaging documentary follows five U.S. kids (ages 9–18), all of whom stutter. The kids attend an interactive arts-based program run by the Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY) and, while there, they meet and connect with others who stutter.

After the screening, stick around for an engaging after-chat with the film's producers, some of the film's stars, SAY staff, ASHA staff, and fluency experts.

ASHFoundation Fundraiser Reception (Ticketed)
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Disney's Epcot® Theme Park

Imagine a magical night filled with innovation, great food, and an even greater spirit of community—all for a great cause. The ASHFoundation's fundraiser will be hosted at Disney's Epcot® theme park, on the private Isle De France, in the French Pavilion on the waters of the World Showcase Lagoon. The unique event location provides front row viewing to Disney's stunning new fireworks show. And imagine more! At the conclusion of the evening, our ASHFoundation party-goers will have exclusive access to the popular ride Soarin'—a virtual reality "around the world" hang-gliding experience. Tickets are $135 each (nonrefundable) and may be purchased through Registration as supplies last. Ticketed guests will receive special instructions about transportation and park entry.

Thank you to our generous corporate sponsors who helped make this magical evening possible!

AEGIS Therapies
EBS Healthcare
ETS
Liaison International
Jones & Bartlett
SimuCase
Social Thinking
SpeechPathology.com

Proceeds support the ASHFoundation's innovation mission to change people's lives.

International Reception
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Orlando, Plaza I/J

Welcome, international participants! Please join ASHA leadership and international staff for the annual International Reception and enjoy networking and mingling with your colleagues from around the world. Your international colleagues look forward to meeting you! Cash bar. No RSVP needed.

Multicultural Concerns Collective (MC2)
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Rosen Plaza, 3Nine Club

Join us for this lively and enlightening networking reception. You'll have an opportunity to connect with participants in this year's Minority Student Leadership Program, and colleagues from the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH), the L'GASP-LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender), Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Asian Indian Caucuses and Native American Caucuses. We hope to see everyone there!

Friday, November 22

Audiology and Hearing-Related SIGnificant Luncheon
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Orlando, Plaza H

Are you interested in ASHA's hearing-related Special Interest Groups (SIGs)? Audiology members and audiology students, as well as affiliates of SIGs 6, 7, 8, and 9 or those interested in joining, are invited to an exclusive luncheon co-sponsored by Hamilton CapTel, Oticon, Phonak, and SIGs 6, 7, 8, and 9. Mix and mingle with like-minded professionals. SIGs offer a number of additional benefits for ASHA members. Seating at this free lunch is limited (first-come, first-served), so plan to arrive early!

"Hear, Here!" Audiology Open House
8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Orlando, Plaza J

ASHA, in partnership with the Orlando audiology community, is excited to host this unique gathering of audiologists and audiology students! This special open house, co-sponsored by Starkey Hearing Technologies, the Educational Audiology Association, ClearCaptions, Hamilton CapTel, HearingLife, MiraCell, Oticon, Phonak, Redux, and TIMS for Audiology. The open house will follow the ASHA Awards Ceremony. Stop by to network with your colleagues while sampling hors d'oeuvres. It's the largest event for audiologists at the 2019 ASHA Convention!

Open Houses (Academic and Affiliated Organizations)
8:30 p.m. – midnight

A number of colleges and universities, and affiliated organizations, traditionally hold open houses following the Awards Ceremony on Friday evening.

Saturday, November 23

ASHA Leadership Q&A: A Membership Chat With the Board
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Orange County Convention Center, Hall D1, Roundtable Room

"Imagine More" from ASHA. The ASHA Leadership Q&A: A Membership Chat With the Board, formerly the ASHA Member Forum, provides an opportunity for you to meet with the ASHA Board of Directors and staff to learn about organization objectives and initiatives. You are also invited to offer feedback on the direction and activities of the Association. We want to hear what you imagine that ASHA could do for you! Pick up a feedback form at the ASHA Member Services Center to fill out and bring to the Leadership Q&A and come with your questions, concerns, and ideas.

Closing Party at Universal Studios Florida (Ticketed)
7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

A very small number of tickets will be available for purchase onsite in Orlando at Registration (Hall B4), on Saturday, November 23 at noon Eastern time, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets may be purchased through Registration as supplies last—the Closing Party is a popular event! Tickets are $60 per person, and you may purchase one guest ticket for $75. Children under age 2 do not need a ticket.

Experience a fun-filled night of adventure at Universal Studios Florida with special access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™, Springfield, U.S.A.™, and World Expo. You'll have unlimited access to some of the most amazing theme park rides and attractions in Orlando including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, The Simpsons Ride™, and MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™.

ASHA guests will arrive at Universal Studios at 7:00 p.m. by ASHA shuttle. Walk the red carpet and enjoy these areas at your leisure with a Universal Express Pass allowing you to avoid long lines at the rides. Your ticket also includes a $20 gift card which can be used at any of Universal's outlets for food, drink, or your choice of gifts. Tired of big crowds? Cafe La Bamba will be reserved exclusively for ASHA guests throughout the night, with some light snacks for those who just want to gather with friends to say goodbye and skip the rides. It's an entire evening of unforgettable fun and excitement!

Closing Party ticket holders must trade in their tickets onsite at the Ticket Exchange Desk at the Convention to receive their Closing Party wristband, Universal Express Pass, and gift card. ASHA Convention badges and wristbands are required to ride the ASHA shuttle to Universal. Shuttles will depart the Orange County Convention Center from the North Shuttle location and will start boarding at approximately 6:45 p.m. The last shuttle back to the ASHA hotels will depart Universal at 10:45 p.m. If you miss the last shuttle, you must arrange your own transportation back via taxi, Lyft, or Uber, etc.

The Simpsons TM & © 2019 Fox. MEN IN BLACK and ALIEN ATTACK® & © 2019 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2019 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.