AACTE 2019: A Closer Look at Louisville

Did you know AACTE selects the Annual Meeting destination four to five years in advance? To ensure the conference offers the best bang for your buck, AACTE works behind the scenes to secure event space and accommodations at budget-conscious pricing. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining future locations for the Annual Meeting, such as geographic location and rotation among U.S. regions, cultural diversity, attendee cost, available meeting space and accessibility, and social justice considerations. A complete list of the AACTE site selection procedures is available at aacte.org.

“AACTE is committed to providing our members exemplary professional development and networking opportunities in diverse locations across the country,” said Matt Wales, AACTE vice president of membership, events & special projects. “To deliver this programming, the planning process for the Annual Meeting involves several key stakeholders, including volunteer members who serve as proposal reviewers, content providers, and even as planners and decision-makers through AACTE’s Committee on Meetings and Professional Development.”

In June 2015, AACTE secured the city of Louisville as the host location for the 2019 Annual Meeting, February 22-24. Named “One of the Friendliest Cities in America” by Travel + Leisure, Louisville is truly progressive and is touted around the globe for its compassion. The city’s leaders have made notable progress on issues related to diversity and inclusion, such as

  • In 2015, Jefferson County schools officially amended their anti-discrimination policy to include gender identity and gender expression.
  • Louisville is one of nine cities in Kentucky that have passed the LGBTQ Fairness Ordinance (it was the first to do so in 1999!).
  • Louisville also scored a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for three years in a row (2015, 2016 and 2017).
  • AACTE member institution University of Louisville was named one of the most LGBT-conscious campuses in all of the South, according to the Campus Pride Index.

“[Our city] has a long history of being a welcoming, inclusive [place],” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “In December 1967, Louisville became the first major city in the South to pass an open housing law, forbidding discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and sex.”

AACTE is excited to present a robust lineup for its 71st Annual Meeting in Louisville that will address ways to combat structural inequalities in education. In fact, two of the event strands will delve deep into diversity, equity, and social justice issues in educator preparation in support of the conference theme, “Sustaining and Advancing the Profession.” Learn more about the conference content at aacte.org.

The AACTE Annual Meeting offers high value at a low cost. Get the most for your registration dollar, including not only three days of sessions but also meal functions and receptions, the “Conference Community Center” exhibit hall, AACTE Gallery, and access to recordings of the General Sessions and Deeper Dive sessions.

Come experience the new and improved offerings at the AACTE 71st Annual Meeting, February 22-24. Register now and take advantage of discounted registration by October 24. Visit aacte.org for conference details, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #AACTE19.

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Jerrica Thurman

Director of Marketing & Communications, AACTE