The Accessible Events Show (AES), the world's only conference dedicated entirely to accessibility in the events industry, will hold its first U.S. edition on December 4, 2026, at the United Way Worldwide headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, with a simultaneous online experience for remote attendees. The timing coincides with new federal web accessibility requirements that are reshaping compliance obligations for government, education, and their vendors.
The Accessible Events Show launched in London in 2025, drawing 600 delegates from more than 15 countries and earning industry recognition including the EN Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and a Silver at the Cool Event Awards for Disruptor Attitude. Performedia, the conference producer, is now bringing the show to the United States as event professionals face mounting pressure to ensure their offerings are inclusive.
According to the CDC, one in four U.S. adults lives with a disability. A new Department of Justice rule requires state and local governments to bring their websites and mobile apps up to WCAG 2.1 AA standards starting April 2027. The mandate extends to vendors and contractors serving those entities, making accessibility a compliance issue for much of the events industry.
“Event planners across the U.S. keep asking us the same thing: How do we make our events truly accessible? The appetite for practical guidance is real, and the new federal rules make it urgent,” said Peter Hackes, President of Performedia.
AES USA 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 in the coming months. More information is available at www.aesusa.org.
AES was co-founded by industry insiders including Shani Dhanda, a prominent UK disability advocate; Orla Pearson, Co-Founder of AccessLOOP; and Catherine Grinyer, Co-Founder of Attendable. The show's debut year received two industry honors rarely achieved by first-time events.
The conference arrives at a critical juncture for event professionals, who must now navigate both ethical imperatives and legal requirements. The DOJ rule, which applies to all state and local government services, means that any event organizer contracting with public entities must ensure their digital platforms meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. This creates a direct compliance pathway for the private sector as well.
For business leaders, the implications are clear: accessibility is no longer optional but a baseline requirement. Companies that fail to adapt risk legal exposure and loss of contracts with government clients. AES USA offers a concentrated opportunity to learn from experts and peers about practical implementation strategies.
The conference also highlights a growing market opportunity. With 25% of U.S. adults having a disability, accessible events tap into a significant audience segment that is often underserved. Event professionals who invest in accessibility now can differentiate their offerings and build loyalty among attendees who value inclusion.
Performedia’s decision to host the U.S. edition at United Way Worldwide's headquarters underscores the nonprofit sector's focus on equity. The hybrid format ensures broad access, with the online experience designed to be fully inclusive from the start.
As the April 2027 compliance deadline approaches, AES USA provides a timely resource for event organizers across all sectors to understand and implement accessibility standards. The conference positions itself as both a learning event and a model for how inclusive experiences can be executed effectively.
