Grace Hopper Celebration 2026 has been cancelled because organizers do not have enough money to hold the annual technology conference. The event was scheduled for October 27–30, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. It is one of the world’s largest gatherings focused on women in technology.
AnitaB.org, the nonprofit organization behind the event, confirmed that individual registrations and corporate sponsorship commitments were much lower than expected. As a result, the organization could not cover the basic operating expenses needed to run the conference.
The cancellation affects technology professionals, students, speakers, sponsors, and companies that had planned to attend. Many participants had already arranged travel, booked hotels, or taken time away from work.
Grace Hopper Celebration, commonly known as GHC, has played an important role in connecting women with career opportunities in technology for more than three decades.
The event usually brings together software engineers, researchers, students, technology leaders, and major companies. Attendees participate in technical discussions, career workshops, recruitment activities, and networking sessions.
The conference was founded in 1994 by Anita Borg and Telle Whitney and named after Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy officer. It was created to celebrate women’s contributions to computing and help more women build careers in technology.
The 2026 event was expected to provide opportunities to discuss artificial intelligence, software development, leadership, and other emerging technology trends.
The funding shortfall also raises questions about how AnitaB.org will support its future events and programs. The organization has acknowledged that the financial situation has affected its wider operations.
Attendees who booked flights, trains, hotels, or other travel arrangements should contact their travel providers directly to cancel or change their reservations. People who received visas for the event may need to contact their sponsoring institutions or seek qualified immigration advice.
AnitaB.org said it would contact registered participants about their registration fees by October 26, 2026. The organization will also communicate directly with sponsors and exhibitors about financial matters. However, it has not confirmed when refunds might be issued or whether attendees will receive full or partial repayments.
Anyone needing help with the cancellation can contact AnitaB.org at [email protected]. The organization has asked attendees and other affected parties to use this email address so that questions can be handled through one support channel.
For attendees who had job interviews arranged through the conference’s career fair, AnitaB.org said employers are being informed about the cancellation. The organization is encouraging those companies to continue planned recruitment conversations directly with candidates where possible.
The cancellation raises concerns about the future of the Grace Hopper Celebration and the financial challenges facing large technology conferences.
Over the years, GHC has helped students and professionals connect with employers, improve technical skills, and build relationships within the technology industry.
The event has also provided a platform for discussing workplace inclusion, career growth, and opportunities for underrepresented groups in computing.
Its cancellation removes an important in-person meeting opportunity for participants who were hoping to find jobs, attend educational sessions, or connect with industry experts.
Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO of AnitaB.org, said the financial difficulties behind the cancellation have also affected the organization’s overall finances. AnitaB.org is now reviewing possible alternatives and deciding which programs it may be able to continue. Further announcements are expected as the organization gains a clearer understanding of its financial position.
At present, there is no confirmed replacement date for Grace Hopper Celebration 2026, and the organization has not announced whether the event will return in its traditional format next year.
Grace Hopper Celebration has supported women in computing for more than three decades, offering opportunities for professional learning, recruitment, and networking. Its cancellation removes an important event from the 2026 technology calendar.
AnitaB.org has not announced a replacement date or confirmed plans for the 2027 event. Attendees should follow the organization’s cancellation updates for new information about registration payments, future programs, and other arrangements.
