The Accessible Events Show (AES), the only conference dedicated entirely to accessibility in the events industry, will make its U.S. debut on December 4, 2026, at United Way Worldwide headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, with a simultaneous online experience. The event arrives as new federal rules mandate WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for state and local government websites and apps starting April 2027, a requirement that extends to vendors and contractors serving those entities.
According to the CDC, one in four U.S. adults lives with a disability, underscoring the importance of accessible event design. The new DOJ rule makes 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, which is producing the show.
AES launched in London in 2025, attracting 600 delegates from more than 15 countries and earning the EN Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and a Silver at the Cool Event Awards for Disruptor Attitude. The U.S. edition will bring together industry leaders to explore integrating accessibility into every stage of the event journey, from planning and registration to live production, digital engagement, and post-event content.
The program includes 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.
AES USA will also be available online, featuring 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.
Co-founded by Shani Dhanda, Orla Pearson, and Catherine Grinyer, AES is the only event in the world built entirely around accessibility in the events industry. The show's first U.S. edition is expected to draw significant interest as event professionals prepare for the new compliance landscape.
