Accessible Events Show USA Opens Registration to Address Event Accessibility Gap

Registration is now open for the Accessible Events Show USA, the only conference in the United States focused exclusively on accessibility in the events industry. The event, scheduled for December 4, comes at a critical time as new regulations and a growing awareness of disability inclusion are reshaping expectations for event organizers.

The timing is deliberate. One in four U.S. adults lives with a disability, according to the CDC, and 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 reaches 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 exists to close that gap. American organizers have already made real progress: captioning is increasingly standard, access statements are becoming routine, and more teams are budgeting for accommodations before they are asked. The show builds on that momentum by getting into the practical detail: how to write an access statement that people can act on, how to brief a captioner, what to budget for ASL, how to test a registration flow, and how to run a hybrid room where the online audience is not an afterthought.

It also covers the areas organizers ask about most and find least documented. Designing events that work for neurodivergent attendees, from quiet rooms and sensory planning to predictable schedules and clear wayfinding. It also covers building emergency procedures and evacuation plans that account for every attendee, which 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 took the EN Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and a Silver at the Cool Event Awards for Disruptor Attitude, two honors very few debut events have won in the same year.

"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, Accessible Events Show, and Director, Attendable. "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 response in London made a U.S. edition the obvious next step. The American show carries the same format and the same standard, with a program built for U.S. organizers and U.S. compliance requirements.

"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," said Hiral Bhatt, Co-Director, Accessible Events Show USA. "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.

AES is the only event in the world built entirely around accessibility in the events industry. Even more uniquely, industry insiders co-founded it, including Shani Dhanda, one of the UK's most recognized disability advocates; Orla Pearson, one of the events industry's leading accessibility innovators 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. Book your in-person seat or claim a free virtual pass at www.aesusa.org/registration. For sponsorship opportunities, visit www.aesusa.org/sponsorship.