2021 AAD Annual Meeting is canceled due to COVID-19
2021 Annual Meeting is canceled
The 2021 Academy Meeting has been canceled due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
AAD President Bruce H. Thiers, MD, FAAD, sent the message below to all Academy members and others who planned to attend the 2021 Annual Meeting on Nov. 23, 2020.
Throughout the pandemic, the American Academy of Dermatology has closely monitored its impact on the dermatology community, adjusting our programs based on the current environment. We have been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and have had ongoing communications with our host venue for the 2021 Annual Meeting for the last 8 months. The health and safety of attendees are our primary concerns. After receiving confirmation from the venue that state and local authorities cannot guarantee safety protocols for the event, and the Moscone Center will be unable to provide the facility at the capacities required for the size and scope of the Academy’s meeting, the Board of Directors has decided for these reasons beyond our control, it is necessary to cancel the meeting.
After carefully weighing meeting safety protocols as well as our duties to the Academy’s members, staff, and partners, we are confident that this is the only option available to us. Anticipating and preparing for this conference involves the time, talent, and creativity of a great many of our physician volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, and event partners. We are incredibly grateful for this and deeply disappointed not to be able to hold the meeting originally planned.
We remain resolute in our core purpose and mission: advancing excellence in dermatology. The Academy is deeply committed to furthering other opportunities in 2021 that deliver world-class education, spotlight dermatology’s innovation, and celebrate the many achievements we had planned to recognize in San Francisco. Through regularly posted updates on www.aad.org and our other member communications channels, we will keep all members and partners apprised of our plans to deliver the research, knowledge, and expert insight they value from our meetings.
In closing, we want everyone to know that foremost in our decision is the health and safety of everyone attending our live events. We will be communicating specific information in the next several days to those who helped us plan logistics as well as those who made arrangements to exhibit and sponsor our meeting. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
