Reflections on VCON25
By Gigi Sutton, MBA Executive Director
I am still buzzing with excitement and gratitude after the conclusion of VCON25, our fourth virtual conference. From Wednesday through Friday, nearly 800 attendees came together for an inspiring lineup of 38 sessions, 53 speakers, five exhibitors, and countless moments of community connection.
This year’s event reaffirmed why ACES continues to invest in our virtual conference: It serves a distinct group of our members who may not be able to attend in person, yet who deserve equally rich opportunities for professional development and engagement.
From the opening keynote, delivered by Amanda Jones — ”That Librarian” — it was clear that this gathering would be something special. Jones reminded us of the vital role editors and librarians share: curating, contextualizing, and safeguarding truth in a world overflowing with both information and misinformation.
Her words set the stage for three days of wisdom, humor, and inspiration from presenters who represented the diverse needs and passions of our editing community. As one attendee captured, “You can have the best, most visionary idea in the world, and it won’t matter if readers can’t understand it … and if they’re not engaged or inspired by it.” That reminder about clarity and engagement could not have been more timely.
And we didn’t just kick things off with the keynote — our Pun Slam returned and once again lived up to its reputation as an ACES favorite. It was amazing to watch the bravery of attendees who stepped up to compete, delivering wordplay and wit that had the entire community buzzing. The energy built throughout the conference and culminated in a final round that was truly out of this world. We love that the Pun Slam has become not only a tradition but also a highlight that captures the spirit of fun, creativity, and connection that ACES is known for.
Our new SpatialChat platform quickly became a highlight, providing not only the technical foundation for the conference but also a lively space for serendipitous conversations and connections. A heartfelt thank-you goes to PerfectIt, our SpatialChat sponsor, whose demo drew a crowd and showcased just how technology can support editors without replacing the human judgment and nuance that define our craft.
And that belief — that human editors matter — is what fueled so many sessions. As Tiffany Vakilian reminded us in her “Editor’s Box of Rage” presentation, “In a world where AI is ever-present, we need editors more than ever… They need us.”
The program itself offered both depth and variety, from discussions of freelancing and governance to explorations of accessibility, ethics, and artificial intelligence. Beloved voices like Merriam-Webster’s Peter Sokolowski once again delivered a session that had attendees buzzing long after it ended. He captivated the audience with his deep insights on language and how Webster’s spellings were developed. One of his memorable quotes: “English is full of traps and why copyeditors are necessary.”
Merrill Perlman’s practical advice also stood out, including her simple but profound rule: “If you can’t explain it, you can’t change it.” She also referenced situational editing. “Each edit depends on that situation, on that audience, on that purpose, on that tone, and on that author. So it’s not a question of following the rules. It’s a question of guidelines – are they appropriate here?” Perlman said.
A special highlight was the session on AP Style presented by Colleen Newvine and Anna Jo Bratton, which was wonderfully received. Their insights were not only enriching but also reinforced the importance of adherence to style in our work. Discussing how much time it takes to make style decisions, Bratton said, “We never make snap changes. Everything gets talked about. Part of this job is that we are responsible for keeping up with the evolution of language.” Thank you to all our presenters for their immense contributions in making VCON25 a remarkable experience.
In addition to learning, we celebrated. VCON25 gave us the chance to announce this year’s headline contest winners, honor the Holden Fellowship recipients, and present the Henry Fuhrmann Award to those advancing equity and inclusion in our field.
And in one of the most anticipated moments of the conference, we revealed the location of ACES’ 30th anniversary celebration: San Juan, Puerto Rico. The excitement in the chat was electric as we all looked forward to gathering in person for such a milestone.
None of this would be possible without the dedicated volunteers and leaders who make ACES strong. I want to especially recognize the Session Selection Taskforce, who review the session proposals and thoughtfully shape the program. Their work ensures that our attendees benefit from an outstanding variety of sessions—diverse, relevant, and forward-thinking—that make the conference as rich as it is.
Likewise, our DEIA Advisory Committee plays an essential role by carefully reviewing session materials to ensure inclusivity, equity, and accessibility remain at the forefront of what we deliver. Their behind-the-scenes diligence ensures that every participant can see themselves reflected in the program and that ACES continues to model the values we hold as a community.
Beyond these groups, I also extend my heartfelt thanks to our ACES committees, the ACES Board of Directors, and the ACES Education Fund Board for their support and guidance. I am especially grateful to the ACES staff — Maria Coxwell, our professional development manager, and Christine Steele, our editor/membership coordinator — who worked tirelessly alongside me to bring this event to life. Our VCON partner and tech lead, Phil Rappoport of Virlybird, and his talented team once again provided flawless support and moderation, ensuring every session ran smoothly.
I also want to express our appreciation to everyone who participated in the surveys for the sessions as well as the overall conference. Your feedback is invaluable as it helps us plan for future events and improve the experience for our community.
Most of all, I thank our attendees. Your energy, your support, and your engagement are what make VCON a success. As ACES member and VCON25 presenter Morgan Strunsky so beautifully said, “We edit in service of the reader.” That is what unites us as editors, and that is what VCON celebrates. With VCON25 behind us, and our in-person 2026 conference in Atlanta on the horizon, I am filled with gratitude for this community and optimism for the future of ACES.
