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My Unsolicited Two Cents on Grace Hopper Celebration Cancellation in 2026
What I saw as a five-time attendee, and what I think it means.
The Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) was supposed to run from October 27 to 30, 2026, in Anaheim, California, in the United States. Today would have been day three. Instead, AnitaB.org cancelled it on October 13, about two weeks before it started. In their press release, they said individual registrations and sponsorship commitments came in significantly below expectations, and below what they needed to cover critical operating expenses. The cancellation only affects the US event. According to the organiser’s website, the India event is still on.
If you are not a Medium Member, read this from here.
A bit about me, so you know where I’m coming from. I have attended GHC five times. My first was GHC India in 2014, on a scholarship. My second was India again in 2015, this time with an accepted poster. The third was the US event in 2017, through Google Women Techmakers. My fourth in 2018 and my fifth in 2025 came through my employer. I have also volunteered on committees and as a scholarship reviewer.
Why I think it happened
It’s the world’s largest gathering of women in tech, and for years that was enough to…
