Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AAA is cancelling the 119th Annual Meeting in St. Louis, originally scheduled for November 17-22, 2020. While we all hope the global COVID-19 pandemic will have subsided by November, uncertainty remains unacceptably high, and the health and safety of our members are of paramount concern.
We know how important the Annual Meeting is to the field and the thousands of members who look forward to networking and sharing the latest research and scholarship, and we remain committed to bringing people together – virtually at least – this fall. Toward this end, we would like for you to complete a brief survey that will help us plan virtual events and activities we can undertake this Fall. Your responses will help guide choices concerning content, scale, timing and pricing in accessible and affordable ways, and ensuring archiving and reliable technology are in place to capture the full breadth of the experience.
If you have already paid your registration fee for the 2020 Annual Meeting, your payment will be refunded in full within the next 20 business days. Payments made by credit card will be returned to the same card. For those who paid their registration fee by check, a refund check will be sent to the name and address on your check payment. Many have asked how they can help to support AAA during this time of need. We have been humbled and inspired by this question, and to that end, you are welcome to consider converting your registration fee into a contribution to help mitigate the significant financial impact that will result from cancelling the 2020 Annual Meeting. To do so, please send a message to Development Director, Mahsa Javid by June 5th.
We extend our deep gratitude to Program Chair Bianca Williams, the Executive Program Committee, and the Local Organizing Committee, for their efforts in planning and coordination during the past year. They have worked tirelessly and creatively to develop a rich program addressing the theme "Truth and Responsibility.”
We will have more news about plans for the fall in the next few weeks, after reviewing the survey findings. Once a full plan is in place, we will share that information broadly with the anthropological community. We appreciate your patience in the meantime.
Wishing you and your families remain healthy and safe!
Akhil Gupta, President
Ed Liebow, Executive Director
