The Accessible Events Show (AES), the world's only conference dedicated entirely to accessibility in the events industry, will make its U.S. debut on December 4, 2026, at the United Way Worldwide headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, with a simultaneous online experience for attendees worldwide. The event arrives at a critical moment as new federal web accessibility requirements take hold across government, education, and the vendors that serve them, making accessibility not just a values statement but a compliance necessity.
Launched in London in 2025, AES drew 600 delegates from more than 15 countries and earned industry recognition for its impact on diversity and inclusion, including the EN Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and a Silver at the Cool Event Awards for Disruptor Attitude. Performedia is now producing the show's first U.S. edition, bringing together industry leaders to explore how accessibility can be built into every stage of the event journey, from planning and registration to live production, digital engagement, and post-event content.
The timing of the U.S. debut is no accident. One in four U.S. adults lives with a disability, according to the CDC, and a new DOJ rule now 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. Event planners across the country are seeking practical guidance, and the new federal rules add urgency to those requests.
"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.
Panels, keynotes, and hands-on workshops will cover 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, allowing remote participants to join from anywhere. The virtual experience will include live captions, multilingual support, sign language interpretation, screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and interactive engagement features designed to make the program accessible to every attendee.
Registration details, speaker announcements, and sponsorship opportunities will be released in the coming months. More information is available at www.aesusa.org.
