Registration has opened for the Accessible Events Show USA, the only event accessibility conference in the United States. The show, scheduled for December 4, aims to close a critical knowledge gap in the events industry as a new Department of Justice rule requires state and local governments to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards by April 2027. That mandate extends to vendors and contractors, making accessibility a compliance issue for much of the industry.
According to the CDC, one in four U.S. adults lives with a disability. While American organizers have made progress—captioning is increasingly standard, access statements are becoming routine, and more teams are budgeting for accommodations—the show will delve into practical details. Topics include writing actionable access statements, briefing captioners, budgeting for ASL, testing registration flows, and running hybrid rooms where online audiences are fully included.
The conference will also address often-overlooked areas such as designing events for neurodivergent attendees, including quiet rooms, sensory planning, predictable schedules, and clear wayfinding. Emergency procedures and evacuation plans that account for every attendee will be covered, as these remain one of the most overlooked risks in event planning.
The Accessible Events Show launched in London in 2025, drawing 600 delegates from over 15 countries and winning the EN Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and a Silver at the Cool Event Awards for Disruptor Attitude. "Bringing the Accessible Events Show to the U.S. is an exciting opportunity to grow the conversation around event accessibility internationally," said Catherine Grinyer, Co-founder of the Accessible Events Show and Director of Attendable. "We want to give event professionals practical ideas, knowledge, and connections that will help them create more inclusive experiences."
Hiral Bhatt, Co-Director of Accessible Events Show USA, added, "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. 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."
The program will feature keynotes, panels, and hands-on workshops on 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.
Super Early Bird pricing ends September 30. In-person seats and free virtual passes are available at www.aesusa.org/registration. Sponsorship and exhibitor packages are also available; interested parties can visit www.aesusa.org/sponsorship. For updates, follow AES USA on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
With the compliance deadline approaching, the Accessible Events Show USA provides timely guidance and a platform for professionals to ensure their events are accessible to all.
