Decision Time

By Hilary Apfelstadt, ACDA Interim Executive Director

More Zooming? Do I really want to go to a virtual conference? Should I go to a virtual conference? Those two questions might have different answers: perhaps you think you cannot stand another virtual event of any kind, but should you? That is another matter. 

ACDA’s live conferences are events that literally change people’s lives; members go to one and never miss another. Part of the reason for that is that we share time and space with hundreds of colleagues and the excitement generated by that opportunity is priceless. We cannot meet in person this time, but the quality of the offerings will still be first-rate: excellent performances, informative interest sessions, helpful roundtable forums and useful reading sessions; exhibits open throughout the entire conference; inspiring headliners; a unique leadership element for high school students … the list goes on. In addition, you have the luxury of spreading out your Zoom experiences as the conference is available online through December 2021.   You will have materials to use in your teaching; you will find inspiring reference materials to revisit in the future.

The financial benefit is huge: no travel costs, no hotel to pay for, no meals to buy. Registration costs alone are considerably lower this year than usual. Even if you miss the pre-registration deadline January 27 at midnight CST), Active members will pay only $40 more to sign up ($219 instead of $179) and Students and Retired members will pay only $20 more. Just for reference, the pre-registration cost for the last national conference was $334. You can register now online at www.acda.org and if you run into trouble, contact our staff and they will help you with the process.  

Your colleagues have worked through multiple challenges to prepare conference elements – performances, presentations, and reading sessions, among others. The national office staff and the conference steering committee (the latter who volunteer their time) have invested themselves fully in producing this event. To support them, in addition to all the participants, please join us at the ACDA national conference. If you haven’t yet registered, you may do that until midnight CST tonight and take advantage of the best prices.  “See” you at conference!