AnitaB.org has canceled the 2026 Grace Hopper Celebration, about two weeks before it was due to open. The event, known as GHC, was set for October 27-30 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. The nonprofit says registrations and sponsorships came in far below what it needed to cover its costs. GHC is billed as the largest gathering of women in technology, and many attendees use it to meet employers.
What AnitaB.org said
"It is with deep regret that we are announcing the cancellation of this year's Grace Hopper Celebration," wrote Brenda Darden Wilkerson, AnitaB.org's president and chief executive, in the organization's statement.
"This is not a decision we made lightly," she added. She said the decision came down to money. "It is a function of not having the funds required to move forward with the Celebration, unlike in years past," she wrote. Both individual registrations and sponsorship commitments "came in significantly below our expectations." They fell below the level needed to cover critical operating expenses.
Wilkerson said the circumstances behind the cancellation have also hurt AnitaB.org's own finances. She said she expects "further announcements" in the coming weeks.
What attendees need to do
The statement lists steps for people who planned to attend:
| Item | What AnitaB.org says |
|---|---|
| Registration fees | It will contact registrants about fees by October 26 |
| Flights and trains | Cancel or change them directly with your travel provider |
| Hotels booked yourself | Cancel directly with the hotel or booking site |
| Visas | It cannot give immigration advice; ask a lawyer or your sponsoring institution |
| Sponsors and exhibitors | They will be contacted directly |
| Questions | Email GHC@AnitaB.org |
AnitaB.org says career fair employers have been told. It has not announced a virtual event or any replacement program.
"We are deeply sorry for the disruption this creates," the organization said. It acknowledged that many attendees had booked travel and hotels, received visas and arranged time off work. To attendees, sponsors, speakers and volunteers, it said: "we are profoundly grateful, and profoundly sorry."
Why it matters
More than 700 organizations, from large companies to startups, take part in GHC each year, according to the event's website. AfroTech names CVS Health, Disney, Goldman Sachs, Google and Intuit among its partners. It reports that this year's program was planned with a strong focus on AI.
AfroTech reports that Wilkerson said AnitaB.org is "evaluating strategic alternatives." Neither source says which sponsors pulled back or by how much.
What this means for developers
For engineers, students and the companies that hire them:
- Check your refunds now. Earlier changes to flights and hotels are usually more flexible. Do not wait for the October 26 fee update to cancel travel.
- Find another recruiting route. GHC's career fair was a major hiring channel for women in tech. Students and job seekers should contact recruiters from partner companies directly.
- Watch other sponsored events. A flagship conference failed to raise enough from registrations and sponsors. Other tech events that rely on corporate sponsorship may face the same pressure.
- Companies should say where the budget went. Firms that sponsored GHC in the past can tell candidates how they will reach them this year instead.
This article was first published on Tech AI Wire.
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