Our Commitment to a Welcoming and Safe Annual Conference 2024

Statement about AC24 in Tampa, Florida

As we prepare for Annual Conference 2024 (AC24), we want to acknowledge the political and social climate in Florida and be transparent about our decision to move forward with AC24 in Tampa on April 3-6, 2024. Together, our Board of Directors, staff, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group have prepared this statement.

We acknowledge, respect, and understand the concern expressed by some of our members about holding our conference in Tampa, Florida in this current political climate. Indeed, it is rare for the ACLU, NAACP, and Human Rights Campaign (HRC), among others, to issue travel advisories inside the United States.

As an association whose vision is for all people undergoing cancer treatment to receive the best care possible, we are committed to safety and inclusion for our members and conference participants.

You are welcome at HOPA regardless of race, ethnicity, age, ability, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or political affiliations. 

Planning an annual conference is complex and venues are often chosen 3 years or more in advance. In this case, we have been scheduled for Tampa in 2024 since COVID-19 changed our conference there in 2020 from in-person to virtual.

Before we asked our members and attendees to come to Tampa for AC24, we took a moment to get to know more about the city.

Visit Tampa has shared with us that the HRC has given Tampa a Municipal Equity Index score of 100. The city is currently led by its first openly gay mayor, Jane Castor, who is now in her second term. Mayor Castor and many of Tampa’s leaders are working hard to fight policies that are unfair, unjust, and harmful to people from marginalized communities.

We want to take the opportunity to support the people of Tampa by visiting their city this spring.

Still, we recognize that our members may have strong emotions about our decision to hold AC24 in Florida. We welcome and encourage respectful dialogue and are open to hearing your concerns. Mostly, we look forward to seeing you in Tampa for AC24 April 3-6, 2024.