Accessible Events Show USA Debuts Dec 4, 2026

The Accessible Events Show USA, a conference dedicated to accessibility and inclusive event experiences, will make its U.S. debut on December 4, 2026, at the United Way Worldwide headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, with a simultaneous online experience for attendees worldwide. Produced by Performedia, the show builds on the success of its London edition, which launched in 2025 and drew 600 delegates from more than 15 countries, earning industry recognition for its impact on diversity and inclusion. Peter Hackes, President of Performedia, emphasized the urgent need for practical guidance as new federal rules take effect.

The timing is critical: one in four U.S. adults lives with a disability, and a new DOJ rule requires state and local governments to bring their websites and apps up to WCAG 2.1 AA standards starting April 2027. This mandate also reaches vendors and contractors, making accessibility a compliance issue for much of the events industry. The conference will feature panels, keynotes, and hands-on workshops covering digital accessibility, hybrid production, assistive technology, and WCAG conformance. Speakers include accessibility experts, event organizers, and disabled professionals sharing lived experience. A sponsor showcase will connect planners with captioning providers, ASL interpreters, and accessible design consultants.

The virtual experience will include live captions, multilingual support, sign language interpretation, screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and interactive engagement features. Registration details, speaker announcements, and sponsorship opportunities will be released soon. More information is available at www.aesusa.org. The Accessible Events Show was co-founded by industry insiders including Shani Dhanda, Orla Pearson, and Catherine Grinyer. In its first year, the show received the EN Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and a Silver at the Cool Event Awards for Disruptor Attitude.