AnitaB.org has canceled the 2026 Grace Hopper Celebration planned for Anaheim, California, saying it does not have the funds to cover the event’s operating costs. The organization said individual registrations and sponsorship commitments came in well below expectations and below the level needed to produce the conference.

The cancellation applies to this year’s celebration. AnitaB.org says it is evaluating other programming for the future, so the announcement does not say that the organization or the GHC community is ending permanently. The immediate question for registrants is what to do about travel, hotels, fees, interviews and visa plans.

Travel and hotel reservations

Attendees should contact their airline, train operator or other travel provider directly to cancel or change reservations. People who booked hotels independently should contact the hotel or booking service, as well as any other provider connected to the trip. AnitaB.org recommends checking cancellation and refund eligibility promptly because providers may offer more flexibility when requests are made earlier.

The organization says it cannot advise attendees on immigration matters. People whose visas were approved for the trip should consult a qualified immigration attorney or their sponsoring institution. The announcement does not describe a visa process or provide individualized guidance.

Registration fees and exhibitor commitments

AnitaB.org says it will contact registrants about registration fees by October 26. Its announcement does not yet specify whether people will receive full refunds, partial refunds or another resolution. The organization says it needs a clearer view of its financial condition before it can provide information about registration and other financial matters.

This includes both in-person and virtual registrants. The cancellation page’s FAQ says updates will be sent directly to affected individuals and organizations. Sponsors and exhibitors should watch for contact from their AnitaB.org representative; the organization says those commitments and related financial questions will be handled directly with the organizations involved.

Career fair interviews and future updates

Employers that had interviews scheduled through the career fair are being notified. AnitaB.org is asking those employers to continue conversations directly with candidates where possible. Candidates with scheduled interviews should check messages from the employer rather than assume the interview will take place through GHC.

For cancellation questions, AnitaB.org asks attendees and partners to use [email protected] so inquiries can be centralized. New announcements will appear on the GHC website’s press-release page. The organization says it expects to share more about possible future programming as it learns more about its finances and other conditions.

The clearest next steps are to contact travel and hotel providers, wait for AnitaB.org’s registration-fee message by October 26, and use the central email for event-specific questions. The cancellation notice does not yet settle refunds or sponsor payments, and it does not set a date for the next GHC event.

AnitaB.org says the cancellation affects people who arranged travel, hotels, visas, time away from work, employer teams and event programs. Its notice apologizes for the disruption, but does not promise direct reimbursement for those costs; attendees must work with their travel providers. The financial update treats registration fees, sponsorships, exhibitor commitments and other organizational matters separately, and it does not yet state when those decisions will be finalized.