Dear TAA Members and Supporters,

On behalf of the Texas Academy of Audiology Board of Directors, I wanted to reach out to our membership with changes that we will implement in regard to our annual conference. Unfortunately, the 2020 Annual Conference will not be held in person. We have a plan. With your participation, TAA will make the rest of 2020 a unique and rewarding experience.

After 20 years of annual conferences, this was not a quick decision. Multiple factors played into this decision to cancel in-person classes. I wanted to share a few that played heavily into our final decision:

• There is still a significant question of safety related to large indoor gatherings or events that our organization would be remiss to ignore. Even with proper precautions, safety for our members and the patients we serve is of great concern to TAA.
• Our May membership survey which was completed by nearly 200 members, indicated the numbers required to host a conference would not be possible. The conference hotel has a minimum attendance guarantee and contracts with TAA in order to allocate hotel staff for the event. If this is not met, TAA is financially responsible for any shortfall which is a significant amount that would be nearly impossible for our organization to absorb. Fortunately for our organization, the hotel would allow us to reschedule this contract for TAA 2023 in San Marcos.
• Our profession has been hurt in many ways financially due to the restrictions caused by COVID-19. Not only are many members furloughed or on restricted practice budgets, so are our industry sponsors. This financial support allows our annual conference to happen. 
• Many state universities and large organizations in Texas and across the nation have restricted travel for conferences through January 2021. This affects many of our outstanding speakers and attendees that are important for annual conference success.

We have worked to find unique and special topics that will provide ample opportunity for professional growth, opportunity to gain needed CEUs, and appropriate accommodations for safety and financial restrictions this year has imposed. So far, we have confirmed speakers in the areas of:

• Ethics
• Pharmacology and Oto-protectants
• Diagnostic research
• Pediatrics and educational audiology
• Leadership and community
• And more!

Now, I think we can all agree that by Fall, we will need a break. With that in mind, the Scott Haug Foundation will still host the Golf Scramble on Friday, October 23^rd at 1 pm! Get away for the weekend or just the day with your TAA friends, family/friends, or industry friends and join us outdoors in Hill country at Kissing Tree Golf Club for networking and FUN! No experience is needed (trust me, I have personally confirmed this through my participation in the last 2 years). To make this event work, we need at least 25 participants so please email Kurt Trede with your interest as soon as possible (like now) at [email protected]. The cost is $65 per person payable to the Scott Haug Foundation. We are still deciding final details for after the event so feel free to share your ideas with either a Scott Haug board member or TAA.

This letter is just the start with far more details to come. I can’t wait to see you all in person, October 28-30, 2021 in Houston! Please email me directly with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Shawna Jackson, AuD

President, Texas Academy of Audiology