Dear Tech Prom Supporters,
I wanted to reach out to you regarding CDT’s upcoming Tech Prom. Our organization, like many others, has been monitoring the Covid-19 pandemic and updates provided by the CDC and the District of Columbia. Truly, these are unprecedented circumstances, and the situation has been evolving rapidly.
After evaluating the public health recommendations to avoid large gatherings, and speaking with many of you who have institutionally-issued travel restrictions in place, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Tech Prom. Our primary focus is the health and safety of our guests, staff, vendors, and the community at large.
This decision was not made lightly.
Tech Prom is CDT’s only fundraising event, and accounts for nearly 20% of CDT’s overall revenue for the year. It is also an event where CDT staff and guests renew bonds of friendship, professional camaraderie, and have the opportunity to learn from subject matter experts in a variety of fields. This year was also the celebration of CDT’s 25th Anniversary, and we were looking forward to welcoming our alumni who have contributed so much to tech policy. Tech Prom was promising to be an incredibly fun event this year, and we are devastated to not be able to offer it to all of you who have sponsored and/or purchased tickets. Please know that your support has been appreciated – never more than at this time.
In the coming days, I will reach out to sponsors and ticket holders to discuss plans for committed pledges including transferring sponsorships to another CDT event, refunds, or switching your ticket/sponsorships to a general donation in support of CDT’s mission. Please be patient with us as we work through these unexpected circumstances, and rest assured that we will follow your lead in how to handle the investments you’ve made in CDT’s Tech Prom. We value our partnership with you above all else.
Thank you for all the ways you support CDT as we champion putting democracy and individual rights at the center of the digital revolution. We encourage you to reach out to us at techprom@cdt.org with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Lee-Berkeley Shaw
Director of Development
Additionally, if you are so inclined to offer your support during this time of unexpected revenue loss, we invite you to make a donation to help allow this important work to continue.
