Dear SAH Community,
 
It is with deep regret that we inform you that the SAH Board of Directors has decided to cancel the SAH 73rd Annual International Conference in Seattle, Washington, April 29–May 3, 2020. This difficult decision was made after careful review of the public health information and recommendations released by government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Public Health of Seattle and King County about the coronavirus. We have also taken into consideration the growing number of institutions placing travel restrictions on staff, faculty, and students, as well as CDC recommendations for people at risk for serious illness from COVID-19. The health and safety of our conference attendees and staff is of paramount importance to us. 
 
We sincerely thank the chair of the conference, Victoria Young, and local co-chairs Ann Huppert and Thaisa Way, for organizing paper sessions, roundtables, tours, receptions, and programs that highlight all the best that SAH and Seattle have to offer.
 
The good news is that we still have the foundation for a great conference, so SAH staff and leadership are actively working on providing a virtual solution to deliver conference content to our members. Our aim is to organize a virtual conference that will provide our session chairs and speakers with a platform for sharing their scholarship, while also allowing for greater participation and accessibility. 
 
We are working on revising our refund policy for conference registrations considering these extraordinary circumstances. Please take steps now to cancel or change your hotel reservation and travel arrangements if you are not going to travel to Seattle. Many airlines have updated their cancellation and change fees in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
 
In the coming weeks you’ll find we’re all in this together as we move from an in-person to a virtual conference.  If we call upon you for help, we hope you’ll respond with your time, expertise or encouragement. We appreciate the feedback and support we have received, and we will continue to update you on our plans as soon as they are finalized.
 
Sincerely, 
 
Sandy Isenstadt, SAH President
Pauline Saliga, SAH Executive Director