Dear Conference participants,

On August 29, 2020, the 2021 ANWG Conference Steering Committee met via Zoom video conference to discuss the future of the conference. As comments and ideas were put forward, a key issue of concern was the impact of COVID-19 and if we would be able to move forward with the event.  After careful consideration, the committee unanimously approved the recommendation to move the conference to the summer of 2023. This decision was made after considering a number of issues regarding the pandemic, mandates for public gatherings, and nationwide health concerns.  On September 10 and 11 the ANWG and WeGO boards voted unanimously to concur with the rescheduling recommendation.

For those who are unaware, the 2021 ANWG Conference venue, Willamette University (WU), has been closed to the public since March and conference organizers have been unable to visit the campus. As a result, WU is unable to provide organizers with any certainty about when or if the campus will reopen to visitors or whether the conference in June 2021 would be permitted. These factors and other health risks led to the decision to reschedule the conference to the summer of 2023.

Over the next few weeks the committee will be in close contact with Willamette University to determine if they have availability in their summer 2023 calendar for the conference. Communications will be sent to all parties involved as soon as a new date and possibly a new venue are determined.

We are saddened to reschedule the conference but feel this is the prudent course of action for the ANWG membership and conference guests.  Now you have more time to weave, spin and create fiber art in the conference colors!  We will keep you updated with our progress toward 2023 in periodic blog posts and on the website.  So stay tuned, we’ll be working on moving everything forward and hope you will join us.

2021 ANWG Conference Steering Committee