A conference update from the Association of Educational Communications and Technology.  Note that both the Distance Learning Division and the Teacher Education Division have been quite friendly to K-12 distance, online, and/or blended learning sessions at past conferences.

Note that while this update is expected – and welcome to some extent – the reality is that many of these policies that are being referenced were in place or widely speculated prior to the organization choosing this location.  While AECT is not a conference that I have regularly attended for most of the past decade, personally I won’t be attending this year solely due to the location.

Subject: AECT 2023 Convention in Orlando, Florida

AECT leadership is aware of Florida mandates, laws, and rhetoric that remove and discourage diversity, equity, and inclusion activities from within Florida public institutions, thereby impacting the access of Florida children and other citizens to these materials. We recognize that the current national, gubernatorial, as well as state-level political climate, of which Florida is currently the central focus, may conflict with many members’ professional or personal ways of life and can create feelings of a potentially unwelcome environment. Recommendations to change the 2023 convention venue have both positive and negative implications for individual members, including the 250+ AECT members living in Florida, as well as for the viability of the organization. The AECT 2023 Convention strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive professional experience for all members and guests while positively impacting the local community. Local community members who work in hospitality, tourism, and small and minority-owned business, include people targeted by harmful rhetoric. These individuals are harmed by significant drops in business and tourism that come with changing conference venues. Likewise, as seen from their statements provided below, despite national headlines, the people of Orlando and Florida at large remain in a state of incredible diversity and have been living side by side with one another long before current state politics gave rise to a call by some groups to boycott their state. We must be mindful and reflective of this as an international body of professionals who are called to investigate facts on the ground as near as we can. The organization’s 100th anniversary with the convention theme AECT 100: Reflections and Transformations occurs during a pivotal time worldwide. The convention provides an opportunity to meet with colleagues facing myriad challenges and learn how to support their efforts in creating meaningful learning spaces and research/practitioner activities for the diverse needs of all learners. Holding our convention in Orlando does not imply AECT endorsement of restrictive policies and practices—it crystalizes our commitment to recognize, understand, and transform learning and training in our discipline and communities. To ensure a positive experience for those of our members who choose to attend this year’s convention in person in Orlando, AECT’s Board and Convention Planners are doing the following: Working with hotel management and security to ensure the safety and physical well-being of our entire membership. Reaffirming to our membership that as a professional non-profit registered in the State of Indiana, and one that receives no state funding, our members enjoy significant academic freedom in terms of their ability to present opinions and papers, and to publish through AECT-specific venues, events, and AECT publishing partners. Providing local resources to help inform our members about local and minority-owned businesses, safe places, and the diverse culture of Orlando, Florida. Ensuring our AECT ethics policies are updated and available to support clear understanding around the professional conduct requirements to participate in this year’s convention. For those who choose not to or cannot visit Florida physically, we hope you will consider participating virtually. Sincerely, AECT Officers, Board of Directors, and Convention Planners Resources and Statements https://www.visitorlando.com/diversity-inclusion/ We are creating a list of places & ways to support the people and community in Orlando and will share it prior to the Convention. If you have other support ideas, please provide the information in the following form: https://forms.gle/1dyfWewCgD6HYoPP8 Blacks in Travel & Tourism’s Response to the NAACP Travel Advisory for Florida: https://futureofblacktourism.com/position-statements Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings: “Orange County is open for business. Our residents represent a broad diaspora of cultures, which makes us stronger as a society. Please be assured our community values diversity and embraces inclusion. Hate is never welcome here. We look forward to working with the NAACP to reassure them and others that Orange County is a caring, compassionate and welcoming community.” International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association: IGLTA Statement on Florida

AECT 320 W. 8th Street, Suite 101 Bloomington, IN 47404-3745 Toll Free: 877-677-2328 | Phone: 812-335-7675 Email: aect@aect.org Message sent by AECT Corporate Intranet, memberships@aect.org Association for Educational Communications and Technology | 320 W. 8th St. Ste 101 | Bloomington, IN 47404-3745