Why is AEA redesigning the annual conference now?
The annual conference has grown significantly in recent years, alongside continued growth in AEA membership. Analysis of post-conference survey data from the past three years—combined with extensive conversations with members and conference attendees—indicates that the current structure no longer supports the variety, coherence, and ease of navigation that attendees are seeking.
This redesign responds directly to what members have told us about their conference experience.
What problems is the redesign intended to address?
Several consistent themes emerged from survey data and member feedback:
The redesign aims to improve learning quality, reduce duplication, and make the conference easier to navigate.
What is changing about proposal submission and review?
AEA is moving from a TIG-based model of submission and sponsorship to a strand-based structure for proposal submission, review, and program organization.
Proposals will be submitted to four to six core functional strands, which are currently being refined during January and February. These strands are intended to better reflect how members engage with evaluation practice, learning, and professional development.
What are conference “strands,” and how are they different from TIGs?
Strands are program-organizing structures designed to:
TIGs, by contrast, are community-based groups centered on shared interests, identities, or practice areas. Under the redesigned model, strands support learning organization, while TIGs continue to support community.
Are TIGs being eliminated or marginalized?
No. TIGs remain a critical and valued part of AEA.
The redesign recognizes that TIGs play an essential role in:
What is changing is that TIGs will no longer manage proposal submission or sponsor sets of conference sessions.
Will TIGs still be involved in proposal review?
Yes. TIG leaders and members will continue to be encouraged to serve as session reviewers, contributing their subject-matter expertise to the review process.
TIGs are not being excluded from review; rather, the management of submissions and sponsorship is shifting to support a more cohesive overall program.
Why move away from TIG sponsorship of sessions?
With more than 50 TIGs, the current model has led to:
Survey data also show that only about half of AEA members belong to at least one TIG, and many attendees do not use TIGs as their primary way of navigating the conference.
The redesign reflects how members are actually engaging with the conference today.
How does this redesign support both learning and community?
A central goal of the redesign is a dual framing of the conference around learning and community:
These two functions are distinct but complementary—and both are essential to the conference experience.
Who is guiding this redesign?
The Conference Advisory Working Group is leading the redesign process and is actively engaging with:
This work is iterative and informed by member feedback at every stage.
Will members have opportunities to provide input as this continues?
Yes. Member input has already played a central role in shaping this redesign, and additional opportunities for learning more and sharing feedback will be communicated as the process continues.
When will more details be available?
The strand structure is currently being refined during January and February. More detailed information about the redesigned submission and review process will be shared as decisions are finalized.
What’s Not Changing
While aspects of how the conference is organized are evolving, several core elements of the AEA annual conference remain unchanged: