The NSGC Annual Conference is an important time and place for the Genetic Counselor (GC) community to come together to learn, network, and exchange ideas. We know the location of the Annual Conference is an important component of deciding to attend.

Site selection for conference locations takes place 3-5 years in advance due to a high level of competition for space and availability at popular destinations. 

Within the locations with available space at the time we are conducting a conference site search, NSGC makes every attempt to select a venue that is welcoming for all attendees, has reasonable costs for both attendees and NSGC, and allows NSGC to accomplish our conference goals of education, networking and building community.

Once a location is selected, NSGC continues to monitor the location to understand any policies that may be deemed unwelcoming and communicates any concerns with our hospitality partners. We will work together to strategize how to support NSGC members, attendees and the surrounding community.

The process for selecting a location for in-person events involves many factors. These include:

• Hosting events in various regions to increase access to events for NSGC members and other attendees.
• The cost of renting convention centers, hotel meeting rooms, and other event spaces.
• Availability of sufficient hotel rooms for the size of the event.
• Walkability/proximity of hotels, restaurants and other activities surrounding the event site.
• Availability of domestic and international flights for attendees.
• Availability of adequate and appropriate meeting space within the event site. On average, most large event sites are reserved about three to five years in advance.

In addition to the logistical considerations, NSGC utilizes these guiding principles set forth by the NSGC Board of Directors:

• Prioritizing Annual Conference access for all professionals and students by reducing barriers to access, including striving to select event dates that minimize religious holiday and academic year conflicts, and choosing locations and venues with affordable airfare and hotel options.
• Safety of our attendees, including the safe walkability of the areas around the convention center and hotels.
• NSGC financial implications – we must consider sites that will support the financial stability of the association.

NSGC 2024 Annual Conference Location

Why is NSGC hosting the NSGC Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA?

NSGC rotates our annual event around the United States to provide an opportunity for all members to have an opportunity to network and engage with the greater GC community. The general guiding principle is to rotate east, central, and west of the country locations to ease travel costs and provide greater access and less travel time for members in different locations over a three-year period.

New Orleans was originally selected as the location for our 2021 event. The COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of the Omicron variant impacted our ability to safely host an in-person event in 2021 and we decided it was in the best interest of our attendees to cancel.  After exploring our options under the terms of our convention center and hotel contracts the most fiscally sound decision was to reschedule in New Orleans for a future event rather than cancel and incur significant financial penalties. The negotiations resulted in a commitment to hold our 2024 Annual Conference.

How does NSGC select the sites for the Annual Conference?

As shared above, we explore and select venues based on the needs of our community, availability of meeting space to fit the conference programming, and the quality of the experience in any given city for our attendees. We evaluate our options based on a number of factors, including ease of travel, affordability, fit of our event size, and geographic distribution.

The site selection process occurs 3-5 years before the event is hosted, and NSGC makes every attempt to select a venue that is welcoming for all attendees with the information available at that time.

After a site is selected, NSGC will continue to monitor the location to understand any policies that may be deemed unwelcoming to our GC community. Hosting an event in a city or state does not imply support of state and local legislation.  NSGC will communicate any concerns with our hospitality partners. We will work together to strategize how to support NSGC members, attendees and the surrounding community.

Will new laws in Louisiana that do not align with NSGC’s values impact the event and the topics discussed? 

NSGC will not limit any topics at the Annual Conference in relation to Louisiana laws. NSGC has the right to select the programming offered. We remain committed to supporting the genetic counselors and the genetic counseling profession and will provide education on topics that impact and drive the profession forward.

Will there be a virtual or hybrid component of the 2024 Annual Conference?

Yes.  If you are unable to join us in New Orleans, NSGC is pleased to offer a virtual access pass this year. Our virtual access pass includes access to live streamed plenary and award sessions (14 total), and one live streamed session per educational breakout session timeslot (4 total), determined by the Annual Conference Program Committee.

Where will future NSGC Annual Conference be held? 

NSGC includes future locations on our website.

Where may I direct my questions or comments? 

You are welcome to share your thoughts about the NSGC Annual Conference location selection process by emailing memberfeedback@nsgc.org.