COVID-19 has been impacting people around the world for a couple of months now. We've seen many day-to-day activities canceled and are facing even more change in the coming months.
While we are all hunkered down at home, it might be hard to find things to look forward to. The cancellation of the 2020 AA International Convention is certainly a blow to morale.
Are you curious about the cancellation of this year's convention? Do you want help dealing with sobriety during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Keep reading to learn about the AA International Convention and find advice on dealing with the cancellation in 2020.
AA International Convention in Past Years
The AA International Convention is held every five years. This is a time for members of AA to get together and share their personal stories, strengths, weaknesses, and insights from their own recovery.
As you can imagine, this is a very special event for people around the world. There is truly nothing else like it and it is a great way to connect the large AA community.
At the AA International Convention held in 2015, the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous celebrated 80 years. There were around 60,000 attendees from 80 countries around the world.
Celebrating sobriety and growth with recovery coins or jewelry is great, but getting to meet with thousands of others is a unique experience that people in 2020 will miss.
Cancellation of the AA International Convention 2020
Although this year's convention was scheduled for July 2nd through July 5th, it has officially been canceled.
Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the health risk surrounding the gatherings of large people, organizers felt it was in the best interest of everyone to cancel the event for this year.
Although this is an unfortunate decision, it is a smart one considering how serious the coronavirus has become worldwide.
The theme for this year's convention was "Love and Tolerance Is Our Code." People from around the world were planning to meet in Detroit to celebrate their sobriety but also share their personal experiences.
Just like in past years, there were panels, workshops, and meetings planned for the AA members in attendance.
With the cancellation of this wonderful event comes a lot of disappointment. It is important to remember that safety in this unpredictable time is crucial and containing this disease as much as possible is the best thing for all of us right now.
If you had registered to attend this event, be sure to check out the FAQ page on the AA International Convention information regarding the cancellation and refunds.
Spend this time to focus on your own recovery and look forward to the next event! The AA International Convention in 2025 will be in Vancouver, British Columbia.
How to Cope as a Member of the AA Community
While it is clear the decision that was made by AA was difficult, it can still be hard to deal with the disappointment. Many people were looking forward to the AA International Convention and it won't happen for another 5 years.
It is important to remember that AA is not just a location, event, or meeting. It is something that exists in the hearts and minds of passionate members around the world.
Continue to focus on your personal hope and recovery while sharing love and tolerance toward others. Share this disappointment with others in the community and learn to grow from it.
During this time when people are staying home and staying safe, you may still want to go to meetings. If so, check out our online AA meeting directory to find one that suits your schedule.