We want to share an important update regarding our upcoming 2024 WiCyS Conference. We have reached a decision that was not made lightly, but after much careful consideration and meaningful conversations, we are moving forward with the conference as planned in Nashville, Tennessee in April 2024. This decision comes after two intense months of assessing numerous venues, various conference models, virtual/hybrid options, and hosting many listening sessions with our Equity Advocacy Committee, affiliates, members, board members and local community leaders.

At WiCyS, our mission has always been to recruit, retain and advance women in cybersecurity. We strive to create an inclusive environment where all members of our community feel welcome, valued and heard. We understand that the recent and proposed legislative actions in Tennessee have caused concern and discomfort for many, particularly our LGBTQ+ community. We also recognize concerns regarding access to reproductive healthcare. We want to assure you that we have taken all perspectives into account, and it was indeed a difficult decision to make.

Attendees’ well-being is a priority, and we are committed to creating a gender-affirming environment that is both physically and emotionally safe for everyone. In light of this, we will establish a dedicated safety committee to continuously assess and enhance the security measures at our conferences. By collaborating with other cybersecurity conference planners and harnessing the collective power of our community, we will forge new processes and procedures that safeguard the sustainability of our mission. Together, we are building the foundations of a more resilient future.

In a world of political and social unrest, navigating through ever-changing legislation and laws at a state-by-state level presents unique challenges for a nonprofit like ours. The landscape has shifted, and so have we. As leaders, we recognize that true strength lies in our ability to listen, learn, and adapt. It is through this mindset that we will not only endure but thrive.

At the core of WiCyS, our commitment to inclusivity burns brighter than ever. We acknowledge that within our community, there will be differing opinions and feelings towards this decision. We respect and honor your right to disagree, for it is through diversity of thought that we find strength. Nevertheless, we assure you that we will never abandon our mission or the individuals we serve. Our resolve to support and uplift every member of our community remains strong, regardless of the obstacles we encounter. We firmly believe that progress is made through engagement, education and the power of collective voices coming together.

To provide a truly inclusive experience, we are announcing that starting with the 2024 conference, all WiCyS annual conferences will be hybrid events. This change will provide greater access and inclusivity for all our members. We acknowledge that the magic of the WiCyS in-person experience cannot be replicated virtually. We understand the longing for that electric atmosphere, the personal connections forged, and the indescribable energy of the WiCyS conference.

Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of adding a regional fall summit to our calendar. We recognize the importance of creating more localized opportunities for our community to connect with, learn from, and support one another. This potential addition will allow us to foster stronger regional networks and address the unique needs and interests of different communities within WiCyS.

Transparency is of utmost importance to us. Moving forward, we will provide full disclosure of all conference locations well in advance. This will eliminate any surprises and ensure that proper assessments are conducted to uphold our commitment to inclusivity and safety. We are proud to continue to work with and patronize Gaylord Hotels, including the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, whose parent company consistently receives a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index for its LGBTQ+ workplace practices.  WiCyS 2025 is contracted with The Gaylord Texan. Space is secured for 2026 at The Gaylord National Harbor. In 2027, we will return to The Gaylord Rockies.

We have also developed a resource that will guide us in selecting future conference venues. Although all venues are booked through 2027, this resource will guide us in considering factors such as accessibility, local laws, and the protection of human rights moving forward.

Lastly, we firmly believe in the power of collective action. We will donate a percentage of the registration to local human rights nonprofits. We look to our community, including WiCyS LGBTQ+ Affiliate and WiCyS TN Affiliate, to help us make this decision. Through these partnerships, we aim to contribute to the fight for the rights of individuals within the state of Tennessee and beyond. Together, we can make a difference.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to our WiCyS community. Our shared vision has flourished because of your support, dedication, and belief as we navigate these uncharted waters. Leadership is not defined by a single decision or moment; it is an ongoing commitment to growth and the pursuit of positive change. As a community with diverse backgrounds and passions in varying numbers, let us forge ahead united in purpose and resilience.

Please kindly address any questions or concerns to [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

“What options were considered in making this decision?”

The WiCyS board spent time researching options, analyzing data and weighing all the options to make this decision. Options included:

• Moving the location of the conference to another venue: Due to the size and needs of the conference, WiCyS must book venues 3-4 years in advance. There were no other venues to accommodate 2K+ individuals in such short notice. The conference committee scoured through many locations with no availability even though the timeframe (Spring) was broadened to be anytime in 2024 and the size was lowered to determine if a conference between 1000 and 1900 was viable.
• Canceling the conference: While we heavily considered this option the board realized that this was not a viable solution for the community. The board has decided to partner and continue fighting the good fight with various nonprofits in marginalizing states, creating more accessibility through hybrid option, develop a resource to navigate future venue decision-making, and more.
• Changing to a completely virtual event: Not sustainable for a nonprofit organization that is based on community.
• Remaining in Tennessee: The team recognized staying in Tennessee would mean increased considerations for safety. With this in mind, the fiduciary and financial responsibility of the organization, members and partners were extensively considered. Our nonprofit’s mission has always been to recruit, retain and advance women in cybersecurity. The conference benefits many members and non-members. Through the WiCyS conference, we have issued over 4,000 scholarships. By holding the conference, we can continue to impact many scholarship recipients who often point to the conference as the pivotal point in deciding to continue their journey in cybersecurity. We understand that some people would like to divest from the state of Tennessee. As a point of reference, WiCyS does not pay state or local tax as a nonprofit. Additionally, we recognize that many good people who live in the state are aligned with our values and are demonstrating resilience in such a complex social and political climate. We recognize that this decision is not just a “now” decision but will continue to help the organization moving forward. Through all political and social unrest, these challenges will not cease by us moving out of the state of Tennessee but will only continue to rise throughout the US and beyond.

“Was the decision based only on financial commitments?”

We are a nonprofit whose mission has always been to recruit, retain and advance women in cybersecurity. We do not make money off of our conferences but we see how invaluable they are to our community. We are committed to supporting our members and all women in cybersecurity to have the programs and opportunities they need to be successful. To note, over half of the attendees of our 2023 conferences are on scholarships which amounted to $1.5M. We believe by holding the conference in Tennessee we will be able to best accomplish our mission and support our members by furthering accessibility with the funding we receive.

“How will you increase safety?”

We are committed to creating a gender-affirming environment that is both physically and emotionally safe for everyone. Although a federal judge recently ruled the Tennessee SB 0003 anti-drag law unconstitutional, reducing fears that members of our community will be criminalized, we are nevertheless establishing a dedicated safety committee to continuously assess and enhance the security measures at our conferences. We’ll be collaborating with other cybersecurity conference planners and our collective community to make sure all our members are safe. Our safety committee will be working on end-to-end transportation security for the conference to ensure that there are safe travel accommodations for our members.

“What if I don’t want to give money to the state of Tennessee?”

We understand that some people would like to divest from the state of Tennessee. However, as a nonprofit, we do not pay state or local tax. Additionally, we recognize that there are many good people aligned with our values who live in the state and are demonstrating resilience in such a difficult social and political climate. In light of that, we will donate a percentage of the registration to local human rights nonprofits. We look to our community, including WiCyS LGBTQ+ Affiliate and WiCyS TN Affiliate, to help us make this decision. Through these partnerships, we aim to fight for the rights of individuals within the state of Tennessee and beyond. Additionally, our conference is being held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, whose parent company consistently receives a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index for its LGBTQ+ workplace practices. We believe in supporting local businesses that are LGBTQ+ friendly.

“Why would you release this during Pride Month?”

We’ve spent the last two months exploring all our options and deliberating with our board to make the best decision for our members. We wanted to share our decision as soon as we had an update available.

“What organizations in TN will you be donating to?”

We are working with the WiCyS LGBTQ+ Affiliate and WiCyS TN Affiliate, to help us make this decision and will notify our members when that decision has been made.

“Why didn’t you cancel the conference?”

We’ve kept our mission at the forefront of our decision-making process when considering what actions to take regarding the conference. We weighed all our options carefully and decided that canceling the conference would be a significant loss to the many women and other individuals who derive great benefits from the conference. The Tennessee legislation and similar legislation across the country are leaving folks within those states abandoned and we want to support them, particularly as a nonprofit working to build a strong and diverse cybersecurity workforce. We are committed to supporting our members and all women in cybersecurity so that they have the programs and opportunities they need to be successful and our conference is a big part of that.

“Why didn’t you find a new venue?”

We booked our 2024 conference four years ago. Finding a new venue was an option we explored, but finding the right location with availability on such short notice proved impossible.

What venues did WiCyS consider for alternatives?

WiCyS utilized a professional conference search company to do a nationwide venue search. All venues in the US had the opportunity to provide a proposal. After extensive evaluation of the venues submitting a proposal, it was determined no properties would meet the needs of WiCyS.   Some venues offered holiday weeks (e.g. Thanksgiving).  Some venues could handle at most 1000 attendees (WiCyS is 2,000+ person conference).  One proposal provided sufficient space but not sufficient lodging accommodations.  Additionally, WiCyS contacted any space recommendations made by members even if the venue did not respond to the original proposal request; this included convention centers and educational institutions.  

“Why did you book Tennessee?”

The WiCyS organization started in Tennessee when our founder, Dr. Ambareen Siraj, was a faculty member at Tennessee Tech University and secured an NSF grant. The first conference in 2014 was in Tennessee and four years ago our sourcing partners booked Gaylord Opryland for our 10 year anniversary.