Post Con

American Accounting Association 2016 Annual Meeting

The organization brought 3,500-plus accountants, students, and professors to New York City.

AAA_2472

American Accounting Association 2016 Annual Meeting
Aug. 6–10, 2016
New York Hilton Midtown and Sheraton New York Times Square
New York City

CHALLENGESThis year’s meeting doubled as a centennial celebration for AAA. To mark this special anniversary, AAA chose New York City — one of the pricier destinations it’s ever considered. (Read our Pre Con profile here.) “We have received great feedback from the members,” said Erlinda L. Jones, AAA’s senior director of meetings and programs. “NYC is a great city to celebrate 100 years, although the cost of being in the city was a challenge for some attendees, but well worth it.”

All in all, Jones was pleased by the way this year’s meeting came together. “Surprisingly enough, there were no last-minute glitches or challenges during the meeting,” she said. “Due to the hard work of our staff, volunteer members, and vendors, it was all nothing short of perfect!”

INITIATIVES As part of its 100th-anniversary celebration, AAA threw a gala dinner with a live band and dancing. “The décor was a travel through our 100 years, starting with the Roaring Twenties Speakeasy-themed area,” Jones said. “The ’50s era was highlighted with a functioning soda shop, with soda jerks making dessert for the attendees. The ’80s was brightly colored linens and oversized Rubik’s cubes. And the future was the focal point of the dance floor/stage area, with laser lighting and futuristic metal towers and a chandelier.”

The glitzy dinner was a standout moment for Jones. “I could sit back and truly observe how the members were enjoying themselves and continuing the networking and collaboration that is signature to this meeting,” she said. Jones was also beyond pleased with the service provided at the venue. “Each year we have great staff that manage our Annual Meeting” she said, “and it is no small feat, as we have a lot of breakout sessions, affiliate events, large F&B events, etc. However, the service level at the New York Hilton Midtown, led by Director of Events Victor Wilson and his great staff, was like nothing I have experienced. He and the staff were truly invested and bought into the success and smooth execution of this meeting down to the minutiae. The bar has been raised significantly.”

2016, New York City
3,634 attendees
35 exhibitors

2015, Chicago
3,358 attendees
41 exhibitors

Kate Mulcrone

Kate Mulcrone is digital editor of Convene.