June 25, 2020
We hope that you and the members of your families and communities are safe and well.
On April 9, 2020, NASD announced the availability of online registration and provided detailed information regarding the 2020 Annual Meeting. At that time and during the ensuing days, cognizant of the critical issues facing the nation and dance administrators and their institutions, NASD was and has been deeply involved in reviewing current realities and viable options. Throughout this period of fact-finding and consideration, NASD has maintained its commitment to providing to its members and constituents clear, cogent, and accurate information as it becomes available, and ensuring within its means the safety and well-being of its members and constituents.
After careful and thorough consideration of and attention to issues before the Association at this time, the NASD Board of Directors voted to cancel all on-site aspects of the 2020 Annual Meeting, including the meetings of the Commission on Accreditation and Board of Directors; all pre-meeting workshops; and all professional development sessions, which were scheduled to take place September 12–18, 2020 at the Hilton El Conquistador in Tucson, Arizona. The NASD Annual Meeting is an opportunity for individuals to connect, communicate, and broaden understandings and awareness of salient issues. It is also a time to come together in community. Therefore, the need to entertain a decision to cancel this meeting was approached with great depth of care. Annual Meeting session topics slated for consideration in 2020 which remain relevant will be considered for inclusion in 2021Annual Meeting programming.
Each Annual Meeting serves as a venue which enables the Association to conduct in person its business and provide to dance administrators information which can assist them to address local and national realities. Although the 2020 Annual Meeting will not be held in person, the Association will conduct through electronic means the business meetings of the membership, Board of Directors, and Commission on Accreditation for the purpose of carrying out their respective responsibilities and duties. These meetings will be conducted in September 2020 during the time frames in which they were originally scheduled. NASD also is engaged in implementing pertinent virtual professional development activities. In the coming weeks, NASD will provide further information regarding these planned initiatives.
NASD has worked directly with our good colleagues at the Hilton El Conquistador during these last weeks. NASD is appreciative of their efforts and the outcome of discussions. Should you hold a reservation with the Hilton El Conquistador for the 2020 Annual Meeting, we ask please that you contact the hotel directly to confirm cancellation. Should any issues arise, please communicate directly with Lisa Ostrich (lostrich@arts-accredit.org) in the National Office. NASD will refund promptly paid 2020 Annual Meeting registration fees.
As always, the staff of NASD welcomes any inquiries and stands ready to provide assistance to individuals and institutions. Thank you for the kind patience each of you has offered as NASD has worked to reach this difficult decision.
Thank you.
Kind regards.