Dear AWP community, 

We continue to engage with our partners in Los Angeles regarding the devastating fires there, and have heard from AWP members who have lost homes and businesses, or who have family members and loved ones who have. We are heartbroken for all those in the city and region for this monumental loss.

We have been in conversation with AWP community members and organizations, as well as conference partners in the region, and the overwhelming sentiment is that the AWP Conference & Bookfair should take place as planned. One attendee wrote to us, saying: 

“Just last Sunday, I hosted a literary event in a LA Chinatown community space (near the convention center) to hold space for those of us who were able to show up. It was a much needed relief and a place of respite. In times of crisis, some of us need to be in community instead of feeling isolated. While many events have been cancelled or postponed, people who attended my event were glad they attended—an opportunity for us to break bread together and share stories to provide each other some comfort and creative inspiration. I am speaking here with experience to say: we need our literary community more than ever. Our local economy needs the tourism money to support our chefs, our small businesses, and others who are struggling to keep their workers paid and doors open.”

The Los Angeles Tourism Bureau has communicated that those with upcoming events in LA “can best support recovery efforts by keeping their meetings & events in LA…It has never been more important to support our City of Angels, including the 540,000 Angelenos and over 1,000 local businesses who depend on tourism for their livelihoods.” 

Listening to the LA community, we believe that AWP’s presence in LA and your attendance in March will help sustain and support the local community during this critical time of recovery. Discover Los Angeles confirms that our conference in LA will boost the local economy; keep affected hospitality, tourism, and transportation workers in their jobs; and hopefully aid the city in its recovery.

At this time, #AWP25 will take place as planned. We assure you that as long as the situation remains fluid, we will continue to stay aware and take guidance from our partners in Los Angeles about how best to proceed. 

We are also developing pathways for AWP and our attendees to support the LA community during the conference. Details will be announced in the coming weeks on ways we plan to raise recovery funds and create spaces for sharing grief, sorrow, and healing, ensuring our conference makes a positive impact beyond providing important economic contributions to the city.  

Thank you for your patience. We will be in touch again soon. 

Colleen Cable

Director of Conferences 

Michelle Aielli

Interim Executive Director