HLAA2020 Convention is Cancelled

By Barbara Kelley

Published 03 April 2020

When the coronavirus hit in early March, we had hopes that we could still hold the HLAA2020 Convention this June. Like you, we were watching the news and listening to guidelines from the CDC. It quickly became clear that cancelling this event that we all look forward to was a real possibility. The worsening situation in New Orleans and other parts of our country made it clear what we should do.

I want to thank our attendees, exhibitors, corporate partners, speakers, chapter and state leaders, and Board members for your patience and support while I was working with the New Orleans Marriott on a contingency. Cancelling this event is a disappointment for our community, but an absolute necessity to protect our health and help our country fight this pandemic.

Hearing loss is isolating enough and now we are further separated with the stay-at-home orders. HLAA is creating online resources and adding free captioned webinars and support sessions to help our members and constituents through this crisis.

We plan to deliver some of the featured content from the HLAA2020 Convention online in June. We are looking into technology solutions and talking with our sponsors about how best to do this.

We will Refund Your Registration Fee or Turn it into a Donation
Please let us know your choice by Friday, April 17

Some of you have generously offered to waive a refund of your paid registration fee as a way to support HLAA. While convention fees and sponsorships allow us to put on a fun and engaging event each year, they also fund staff time, software, and convention programming. The HLAA Convention provides funds we rely on and donations will help continue essential HLAA programs during this challenging time. We appreciate your donations.

If you wish to offer your paid registration as a donation, please email Amanda Watson at mailto:convention@hearingloss.org and let her know by Friday, April 17. We will send you an acknowledgment for your tax records. HLAA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

If you would like a refund, please email Amanda Watson at mailto:convention@hearingloss.org by Friday, April 17, 2020. You can also call Amanda on her direct line: 240.324.6073. If we don't hear from you by April 17, we will consider this a donation.

Stay Tuned
If you are a sponsor, presenter, exhibitor, or award recipient, we will follow-up with specific information by phone or email.

Future HLAA Conventions
2021: San Diego, June 24-26, Town and Country
2022: Tampa, June 23-25, JW Marriott Tampa
2023: New Orleans, June 27-July 2, New Orleans Marriott (We were able to secure the same hotel and convention site even though HLAA2020 was cancelled.)

I appreciate the emails and calls I've received concerning the HLAA2020 Convention. Right now, please be safe and well and stay connected to HLAA. We want to be here for you in any way we can.

Barbara Kelley

HLAA Executive Director

As HLAA’s chief executive officer since March 2016, Barbara is the primary spokesperson for the organization. She is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, advocacy, marketing/media relations, and national and international outreach.

Hearing Tracker has not reviewed the above statements for accuracy. Any views and opinions expressed in this press release are those of the author(s). No one at Hearing Tracker, in any way whatsoever, can be held responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from this press release.

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