Transparency & FAQ

The AVA Summit events are organized by AVA International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world in which animals are taken out of the food system and other human uses. Fiscal sponsorship for AVA International is provided by the Humane America Animal Foundation.

Vision and Mission of AVA International

AVA International is dedicated to creating a world in which animals are taken out of the food system and other human uses. The AVA Summit is an international conference series for the animal and vegan advocacy movement. We are bringing together advocates focusing on systemic change and working on a wide range of tactics, strategies, and approaches toward our shared vision. Committed to inspiring our participants to be as impactful as possible, we provide a platform for learning and networking opportunities that both strengthen and nurture our community.

Audience

Our audience consists of dedicated individuals working or looking to work in the animal and vegan advocacy movement professionally. 80% of our attendees are full-time advocates. We welcome people who come to their journey with any motivation, including but not limited to animal rights, environmental, social justice, effective altruism, personal health, and other intersecting movements. We support various strategies and tactics for advancing our vision, from grassroots activism to highly specialized engagement, individual outreach to food systems change, legislative change, corporate engagement, and advancing animal-free technologies.

Logistical & Organizational Decisions

All logistical and organizational decisions around the Summit are made by the AVA Team. Having surveyed 60+ leaders, activists, funders, and other stakeholders in the animal and vegan advocacy movement prior to launching the AVA Summit, our team strives to consider the needs of the movement as a whole when making decisions. Additionally, we are in continuous dialogue and cooperate with groups organizing other movement events worldwide.

Decisions on Speakers and Programming

AVA events welcome nearly all aspects of animal and vegan advocacy, inclusive of animal welfare, animal rights, alternative proteins, non-animal issues stemming from animal farming and other animal use (such as climate changes and farmworker abuse), and issues facing our movement (such as promoting racial and gender equality). While farmed animals are clearly our focus, wild animals and other areas of animal exploitation do also have a place. Topics of Emphasis Our events emphasize topics relating to systemic change (such as changing corporate policy or legal protection). Still, all tactics, including animal sanctuaries, civil disobedience, and personal transformation, are welcomed to discuss in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We know that one single event cannot satisfy everyone or depict every aspect of this broad and diverse movement equally. And of course there are also many other wonderful events with slightly different angles and approaches. Speaker & Topic Selection Process Every year, we work with our Advisory Committee to deliver world class programs that will not only inspire but also improve the impact of what advocates are working on. The public is welcome to submit proposals via our speaker submission form and we receive hundreds of submissions for a very limited amount of speaking spots... So how do we choose? Our main criteria for the selection of speakers and topics are: -Advancing animal or vegan advocacy tactics or ideas while being consistent with animal rights -Focus on specific strategies, interventions, learnings, and useful take-aways for the audience -Bringing a diversity of experience and perspectives With those criteria in mind, we've developed a scoring system with our Advisory Committee. We consider up to two submissions from a given speaker and up to three speakers representing a single organization. We also carefully balance the amount of speakers who have spoken in the past and new speakers.

Locations

Our events have a strong international focus. We hold Summits in the United States (alternating between East Coast and West Coast every year), we co-organize the yearly Asia Farm Animal Day, and we're building up an AVA Summit Latin America, taking place in Brazil in 2024. Most of our attendees enjoy the fact that AVA takes place in a hotel, and not in a convention center. It makes for a more personal atmosphere, gives us the opportunity to serve our attendees daily meals, and is logistically convenient: Most attendees stay in the hotel over night to reduce traffic time and cost and enjoy a variety of networking opportunities.

Finances & Funding

We welcome financial support at various levels from NGOs, philanthropists, and companies who want to support the AVA events. Our partners are aligned with our mission and vision and share the values of the animal and vegan advocacy movement. The decisions on our sponsors and partners are being made amongst the AVA Team. In the case of a controversial sponsorship request, the team will consult with the Advisory Committee of each event. Who is funding AVA? AVA is supported by a variety of foundations and individual funders. Some examples of our supporters are: Open Philanthropy, Food System Innovations, The Greenbaum Foundation, Phauna, Tipping Point, Stray Dog Institute, and Affinity Impact. Some of our funders would like to remain anonymous. Who is sponsoring AVA? Check out our sponsors at the bottom of our home page. If you're interested in learning about our sponsorship packages and becoming a sponsor, let us know by heading to our contact page to get in touch!

Who are AVA Summit Events "For"?

There are a ton of events out there. How is AVA different? Let's start by what AVA is not: We are not a VegFest, we are not a conference focussed on industry or brands, we are not (primarily) an event for individual activists or newcomers, and we are not an online or hybrid event. There are absolutely fantastic events out there that we highly recommend to anyone who is looking for those things! All of those events are needed. All of those events are advancing our shared vision. Something that is very unique about AVA is the high number of international participants. In 2023, we welcomed advocates from 47 different countries at our US conference. So, who is AVA's specific target group then? 80% of our attendees are full time advocates. AVA is a conference for people working or wanting to work professionally in the movement. We are a platform serving Nonprofits and their teams who are working on various strategies and tactics for advancing our vision.

Why isn't AVA a hybrid event?

Hybrid and virtual conferences have great benefits, and there are some amazing examples out there! But it really depends on the goals of the event, the formats, the target audience, and logistical considerations. We create in-person events because of the following aspects: Energy and Atmosphere There is just nothing like face-to-face interactions, serendipitous encounters in hallways or at social events, the motivation and inspiration of being physically surrounded by likeminded people, the smiles and hugs and "It's so great to see you again!"-moments that happen in-person. Workshops and Exhibits Experiential learning, demonstrations, and interactive sessions provide an immersive experience. AVA also includes exhibition halls and sponsorship opportunities, allowing organizations to showcase their work directly to a live audience. Presence and Focus People at AVA dive into an AVA Universe for several days. Participants are less likely to be distracted by external factors, as they are physically present in the conference environment. Activities and Surroundings There is a huge amount of planned and unplanned activities around AVA: Many groups have their team retreats or strategy meetings at AVA, people explore the local culture and social scene, attend social events, and engage in activities that contribute to a holistic experience. But there is not just that… Implementing a high-quality hybrid option for a conference as big as AVA would cost a high 5-figures sum for equipment, A/V team, and moderation. For that price, we can get at least 40 more travel awardees from around the world to join the conference and take their learnings and connections home! We do record our session content and make it available for everyone for free on our YouTube channel. Click the YouTube icon found on our social bar below and subscribe now!

How does AVA select Travel Awardees?

Before each event, we receive around 300 applications from advocates worldwide seeking financial support. We aim to bring as many people as possible while offering reasonable awards. In 2024, Travel Awards will be available at two levels: Regular ($1,000) and Large ($1,600). However, with limited funding, we can only allocate about $130,000 per event (100 awards), meaning over 65% of applicants will be rejected. These decisions are tough, but we strive to be inclusive, equitable, and fair. Every application is carefully reviewed. Here’s our scoring system for the 2024 US Summit: —2 points: Accepted last year but couldn't attend due to visa issues —1.5 points: BIPOC —1 point: Traveling from outside the US/Canada —1 point: Working for an organization with a budget under $500k —1 point: Personal income under $50k —1 point: Sole representative from an organization —0.5 points: Sole representative from a country We also award 0-3 points based on recommendations, high-impact work, specific audience value, or Summit speakers. For questions or input, email us at Travel@AVASummit.com.

What are my odds of receiving a Travel Award?

If you're considering applying for travel awards for multiple AVA-organized events, you might be wondering about your chances of success. Here's a comprehensive look at what you need to know. Can You Apply for Multiple Travel Awards? Absolutely! AVA encourages applications for travel awards to both our main events in the US and our regional events. We recognize the importance of connecting with funders in person at US events, as well as the value of attending regional events tailored to specific topics. Understanding Your Chances The reality is that funding for travel awards is limited and highly competitive. For each event, we can support approximately 120-130 travel awardees. To maximize your chances, it's essential to apply early and familiarize yourself with our scoring system, detailed on our transparency page. Factors Affecting Your Chances Organizational Budget: Applicants from organizations with larger budgets may have lower chances of receiving a travel award. We aim to prioritize those with greater financial need. Specific Needs: If you have particular needs, make sure to detail them in your application form. This information helps us understand your situation better and allocate funds more effectively. Commitment to Inclusivity We understand the disappointment of being declined and are actively working to expand our funding. Our goal is to ensure that every professional advocate in our movement can attend at least one of our events each year, regardless of their location or budget. By applying thoughtfully and early, and clearly communicating your needs, you can improve your odds of receiving a travel award. Together, we are AVA, committed to supporting advocates worldwide.

How does AVA select Speakers?

The heart of every conference is the conference program. Every year, we work with our Advisory Committee to deliver world class programs that will not only inspire but also improve the impact of what advocates are working on. The public is welcome to submit proposals via our speaker submission form and we receive hundreds of submissions for a very limited amount of speaking spots... So how do we choose? Our main criteria for the selection of speakers and topics are: —Advancing animal or vegan advocacy tactics or ideas while being consistent with animal rights —Focus on specific strategies, interventions, learnings, and useful take-aways for the audience —Bringing a diversity of experience and perspectives With those criteria in mind, we've developed the following scoring system with our Advisory Committee: —Was approved last time but had to cancel: 2 pts —Has spoken before and was rated especially highly (top 20) by the audience: 2 pts —Celebrity speaker with very large draw: 2 pts —Topic adding marginal value to the program, especially for speakers chosen later in the process: 1.5 pts —BIPOC: 1.5 pts —Exceptional public speaker: 1.5 pts —Sole representative of organization: 1 pt —Sole representative of country: 0.5 pts We consider up to two submissions from a given speaker and up to three speakers representing a single organization. We also carefully balance the amount of speakers who have spoken in the past and new speakers. Do you have any questions or comments about our Speaker selection? Contact us!

Why does AVA take place in a hotel, and not a different venue?

The answer to this one is actually pretty easy: Because most of our attendees really enjoy the advantages. —No time loss, annoying delays, and additional cost due to traffic —No need to orient yourself in a new city, country, and language —Maximizing networking time in the mornings and evenings, because all you need to do is go upstairs to sleep —Shared meals as a community, where nobody has to leave the venue and worry about buying breakfast or lunch outside —The seamless hotel infrastructure: free shuttle service to the airport, A/V service, meal functions, and lots of meeting rooms — everything is under one roof. That being said, if we grow significantly, we might need to switch to a convention centre at some point. And we’ll have a test run of that at the AVA Summit in Brazil next December! Do you have any questions, comments, or concerns? Contact us!

Why is AVA so expensive?

We aim to keep our events accessible, our prices fair, and our communication transparent. Here's some context on our ticket pricing: Food and beverages for the 3.5-day AVA Summit cost us over $450 per person. Our Early Bird Subsidized ticket is $250, and the regular Early Bird is $350, meaning we lose money at these tiers. We don’t offer a ticket without food because staying well-fed is crucial during an intense conference. Fun fact: Coffee alone for the event costs about $20,000! Most attendees are movement professionals whose organizations cover their tickets. Students, unemployed individuals, NGOs with budgets under $500k, and those earning less than $40k qualify for subsidized prices. If you still need support, our Travel Awardees receive free/discounted tickets. We offer travel scholarships to hundreds of attendees—apply by the deadline! We also have 1-day passes available.

Why isn't there WiFi at the AVA Summit events?

While we recognize the significance of wifi access, particularly for our international attendees who travel great distances to join us, we've made the deliberate choice not to provide free wifi at our event locations. The main consideration behind this decision is the significant cost involved; providing wifi for each attendee would substantially inflate our expenses, with estimates reaching $42.75 per attendee, totaling up to $34,200+ per day for our 800 attendees at the AVA Summit in the US. Instead, we prioritize allocating our resources towards supporting our attendees to participate in our events. We believe in investing in initiatives like travel awards scholarships to assist individuals from diverse backgrounds in attending, ensuring our ticket costs remain affordable to promote inclusivity, and providing wholesome meals for all participants. E-Sim Cards: As a helpful tip for international travelers seeking connectivity in the US, it's advisable to conduct a bit of research on e-sim cards and shop around before embarking on your journey. This ensures you find the most suitable options for acquiring connectivity during your stay. We strongly suggest installing the Instabridge app and setting it up.

Why doesn't AVA cover speaker accommodations?

In the past, our commitment to supporting our speakers has been evident through our provision of complimentary tickets, hotel accommodations, and often covering their travel expenses. This practice, compared to many other conferences, was exceptionally generous and not commonly observed across the industry. However, moving forward, we are implementing changes to ensure sustainability while still prioritizing speaker support. While we will continue to cover tickets, including all food and beverages provided by AVA, for our speakers, we will now introduce a needs-based system for handling other expenses. If you're an accepted speaker who requires additional support, we encourage you to reach out to us. We are dedicated to finding equitable solutions to accommodate the needs of all our speakers. Your input helps us ensure inclusivity and accessibility within our events.

How does AVA save us time & money?

AVA plays a pivotal role in streamlining both time and financial resources for participants. As an event that serves as a cornerstone for numerous organizations, it significantly minimizes the need for separate meetings and retreats. During our last AVA Summit in the United States, we facilitated a staggering 34 board meetings, staff retreats, and strategy workshops, with a collective attendance of over 565 individuals. The consolidation of these gatherings not only translates to substantial savings, estimated at $1,500 per person in travel expenses and two additional travel days, but also eliminates the logistical complexities and venue expenses associated with organizing separate events. Furthermore, by centralizing these activities, we drastically reduce the carbon footprint typically generated by multiple gatherings. For those considering hosting their next meeting during AVA DC, we encourage you to reach out with any special requests. Together, through AVA, we are fostering efficiency, sustainability, and collaboration.

Do Steering Committee members and Speakers get special treatment when it comes to speaking opportunities?

The answer is simple: No. Speaking slots are not part of our sponsorship perks nor do they come with being a member of our Advisory Committee. We understand there may be misconceptions about this, so let's clarify. Our sponsorship packages offer valuable benefits, but speaking slots are not among them. Gold level sponsors are offered one moderating slot, while Platinum level sponsors are offered two. However, these opportunities are separate from speaking engagements. We want to ensure that speaking opportunities are earned based on merit, expertise, relevance, and contribution, not on financial contributions or advisory roles. At AVA International, fairness is non-negotiable. Our commitment to transparency and fairness extends to every aspect of our organization, including how speaking slots are allocated. We value the expertise and contributions of all our members and partners, and we're dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all. Thank you for your continued support and trust in us. Together, we are AVA.