Registration is now open for the Accessible Events Show USA, the only event accessibility conference in the United States. The show, scheduled for December 4, will address a growing compliance and practical knowledge gap in the events industry. According to the CDC, one in four U.S. adults lives with a disability. A Department of Justice rule requires state and local governments to bring their websites and apps up to WCAG 2.1 AA standards starting April 2027. That mandate also extends to the vendors and contractors who serve them, making accessibility a compliance issue for much of the events industry, not just a values statement.
The Accessible Events Show USA aims to close that gap. American organizers have already made progress: captioning is increasingly standard, access statements are becoming routine, and more teams are budgeting for accommodations before they are asked. The show will delve into practical details such as how to write an actionable access statement, how to brief a captioner, what to budget for ASL interpretation, how to test a registration flow, and how to run a hybrid room where the online audience is not an afterthought. It will also cover 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 addressed, as this remains one of the most overlooked risks in event planning.
The Accessible Events Show launched in London in 2025 and drew 600 delegates from more than 15 countries. In its first year, it won the EN Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and a Silver at the Cool Event Awards for Disruptor Attitude, two honors rarely won by debut events in the same year. Catherine Grinyer, Co-founder of the Accessible Events Show and Director of Attendable, said, "Bringing the Accessible Events Show to the U.S. is an exciting opportunity to grow the conversation around event accessibility internationally. We want to give event professionals practical ideas, knowledge, and connections that will help them create more inclusive experiences, and to showcase the people and organizations already doing brilliant work in this space. I'm really looking forward to learning from the U.S. events community and building a platform that can create lasting change."
The U.S. edition carries the same format and standard as the London show, with a program built for U.S. organizers and U.S. compliance requirements. Hiral Bhatt, Co-Director of Accessible Events Show USA, said, "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. We're looking forward to working closely with the UK team to help make American events truly accessible and inclusive. 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."
On December 4, the Accessible Events Show USA will cover digital accessibility, hybrid production, assistive technology, and WCAG conformance through keynotes, panels, and hands-on workshops. Speakers include accessibility experts, event organizers, and disabled professionals sharing lived experience. A sponsor showcase will connect planners directly with captioning providers, ASL interpreters, and accessible design consultants. The event is co-founded by industry insiders, including Shani Dhanda, one of the UK's most recognized disability advocates; Orla Pearson, a leading accessibility innovator and Co-Founder of AccessLOOP; and Catherine Grinyer, a recognized leader in accessible event design and Co-Founder of Attendable.
Super Early Bird pricing ends September 30. Those interested can book an in-person seat or claim a free virtual pass at www.aesusa.org/registration. A limited number of sponsor and exhibitor packages are still available at www.aesusa.org/sponsorship.
