After careful consideration, the Amputee Coalition has decided to move our 2020 National Conference online due to COVID-19. This wasn’t an easy decision. Our mission is to serve our community and partners, and ensuring our community’s health and safety is our highest priority. After consulting with our Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee, Education and Conference Committee, Board leadership, stakeholders, and community members, we recognized that this was the only decision we could make.
As a community, we know challenges bring opportunities. In April, we pivoted our annual Advocacy Forum online. It was a great success. Virtual meetings lift physical and financial barriers, and we had more people participate than ever before. We hope to see more of you at the virtual National Conference, too!
Our team is working hard to make sure the virtual Conference will still have big plenaries, small roundtable discussions, expert sessions, physical activities, an exhibit hall to explore, and plenty of time to network and catch up with friends old and new.
We all look forward to our National Conference every summer. This year’s Conference will be a little different, like so much else these days, and we appreciate your support as we find new ways to connect and fulfill our mission. We’ll be in touch soon with more details and registration information!
You probably have a lot of questions. Here are a few answers:
Q. What are the dates of the virtual National Conference?
A. The original conference dates, August 20-22, are when we’ll host most of the Virtual Conference activities. As in years past, we may have some pre- and post-conference activities. We’ll provide more details as soon as we can!
Q. How do I register for the virtual National Conference?
A. We’ll send out registration information soon. Even if you registered for the in-person conference, you must re-register for the online version. Please note that all attendees will need to register in advance. Unlike past National Conferences, same-day registration will not be possible.
Q. What will the virtual National Conference cost?
A. There will be a small registration fee. We’ll provide information about that, along with the link to our registration form, soon. If you registered for the in-person conference, you’ll be refunded automatically.
Q. What about my hotel and travel reservations?
A. If you booked your hotel accommodations at the Renaissance Hotel through your confirmation email, your reservation will be cancelled automatically. If you made your own accommodation arrangements, you’ll need to cancel those yourself. If you’re not sure about your hotel reservation, please contact to the hotel directly. Also, if you made travel arrangements to attend the Conference, please contact your airline directly. Many airlines have updated their cancellation policies or are working with customers to waive cancellation fees during the pandemic.
Q. Will the National Conference agenda change?
A. We will update the Conference agenda to deliver the best online experience, and are working with technology platforms that best fit our needs. We’re approaching it with the same spirit of innovation that made our Virtual Advocacy Forum such a success. Stay tuned for more information.
Q. Are you using Zoom or Facebook or Skype?
A. We’re still in the process of finalizing the program details and related tech platforms, and we can’t wait to announce everything to you as soon as we can. Again, keep a close eye on your email inbox and social media for more details.
Q. Are you sure you really have to move the Conference online? Can’t we have it in another city?
A. Given everything going on, we’ve been monitoring the best, most up-to-date public health advice for travel, large groups, and accessible accommodations. There just aren’t any other places that can deliver safely what our National Conference requires. We know how frustrating this must feel — we’re right there with you — but we’re excited about the new possibilities of a virtual Conference.
Q. I applied for a scholarship for the 2020 National Conference. Will it transfer to the Virtual Conference?
A. Scholarship applications for the 2020 in-person conference will not transfer over to the virtual Conference since the virtual Conference will have a smaller registration fee and travel expenses will not be incurred.
Q. I know scholarships are for people who have never attended the National Conference before. If I participate in the virtual National Conference, can I still apply for a scholarship to attend a future in-person National Conference?
A. Yes! We understand that a virtual National Conference cannot replace being together in person. Attending the virtual National Conference will not affect your eligibility to apply for a scholarship to a future in-person National Conference.
