This pandemic has affected every area of our lives, it seems, and it has now affected plans for our hosting a regional AGO convention in June of 2021. Little did any of us imagine, as the pandemic began to settle in, that we would need to reconsider plans to host a convention in the summer of 2021- I just remember thinking how glad I was that we weren’t hosting a convention this summer. It never occurred to me that next summer would also be a question.
But as the sad reality has sunk in, we realize that it’s not at all certain that an event of that size will be possible next summer, given the uncertainties regarding timing for a vaccine and possibility of more spikes of the virus. It might be possible but it’s not certain, and we can’t pay deposits and sign contracts knowing that we might have to cancel. All five coordinators of 2021 regional conventions began asking questions about next summer’s regionals a few weeks ago of the National Committee for Conventions. The committee deliberated, and they have determined that it’s not feasible to continue with plans that may have to be cancelled, with increasing penalties the closer we get to the date.
So the bad news is that there will be no regional AGO conventions next summer, including ours. But the good news is that all five regions have agreed to move their conventions, plans and all, to the summer of 2023! And all twelve of the steering committee members for our convention have agreed to stay on to plan for 2023.
Since we now have a bit of time, we’ll put our plans on hold for the time being, and then pick up again sometime in early 2022.
We’re all disappointed that we won’t be hosting the convention next summer, but very pleased with this decision. And you all now have lots of time to think about attending the Great Lakes AGO Convention June 25-28, 2023 – it’s not often that you have so much advance notice for an event!
Andrea Handley
Convention Coordinator
Great Lakes AGO Convention 2023