Opening General Session
Thursday, November 19, 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Auditorium
 This session will help start off the Convention with the music and fun of New Orleans. You will hear from Program Co-Chairs Alex Johnson and John Ferraro about the Convention program sessions and other exciting things happening over the 3 days of Convention. ASHA President Sue Hale will give you the latest information about ASHA and the professions, and we are happy to announce Tony Award®–winner Ben Vereen as our keynote speaker. On Broadway, Mr. Vereen appeared in such musicals as Wicked, Fosse, I'm Not Rappaport, Sweet Charity, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, and many others. After suffering a stroke, Mr. Vereen worked with speech-language pathologists in conjunction along with a team of rehab professionals. He still entertains and contributes much of his time to numerous philanthropic and charitable organizations, including Celebrities for a Drug-Free America, an organization he established that raises money for drug rehabilitation centers, educational programs, and inner-city community-based projects.
Awards Ceremony
Friday, November 20, 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Auditorium
Annie Glenn Award Update
Senator and Mrs. Glenn will join us in New Orleans for the Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 20. Due to time restraints on Vice President Joe Biden, he will not be able to join us to receive the Annie. The Glenns were joined by ASHA President Sue Hale, ASHA President-elect Tommie Robinson, Jr., and Executive Director, Arlene Pietranton at the Vice President's home to present him with the award. During the ceremony in New Orleans, Mrs. Glenn will talk about presenting the award to her long-time friend, Vice President Joseph Biden. There also will be a surprise presentation of an additional "Annie" at the Awards Ceremony.
The Awards Ceremony will celebrate with ASHA awards recipients their highest achievements and excellence in the professions. The evening begins with the presentation of the Honors of the Association, ASHA's most prestigious award, which stresses the lifetime achievements of ASHA members. The ASHA Fellows, whose contributions form the cornerstones of the professions, also are presented. Several additional awards will be presented, honoring those members who have contributed to the professions and Association. Join us for this most memorable evening.
Annie Glenn Award–The "Annie"
 ASHA is honored to present the Annie Glenn Award to Vice President Joe Biden at the convention this year. The Vice President and his family have been invited to join us in New Orleans on Friday, November 20 during the Awards Ceremony. Senator and Mrs. Glenn will be on hand as well to personally present the "Annie."
As many people know, the Vice President dealt with the challenge of dysfluency throughout his childhood. In his book, Promises To Keep, he writes about being called "Joe Impedimenta" by his high school classmates. They also referred to him as "Dash" because he "talked like Morse code." He credits his mother and father for their support in guiding him to help overcome the pain of his childhood communication problems.
Vice President Biden and Annie Glenn share a close connection and are both champions and advocates for those with communication disorders.
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