The annual Simmons Leadership Conference (SLC) will be virtual this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the leadership conference team. 

The conference, scheduled for April 16, will feature tennis champion Serena Williams as its keynote speaker. 

“We are excited about the opportunity to provide the inspiration and connection that the Simmons Leadership Conference has always been known for, but in a new format that accommodates our current environment. In this time of uncertainty and isolation, inspiring and lifting each other up is more important than ever,” conference leaders said in a statement on their website.  

The conference team has not yet shared logistical details on how the conference will be conducted online. E-pass tickets are available for purchase on the conference’s website for $495. 

According to former SLC intern Sabika Mirza ‘19, the conference requires over a year to plan. 

“The hallmark of the Boston Conference is undoubtedly the high profile people we have been able to bring in over the years – it’s what sells the tickets and attracts the world every spring to Boston! So that alone probably takes up the most time,” said Mirza in an email to the Voice. “There’s a lot of negotiating, research, converse aiding and budgeting that goes into those decisions and it usually happens a year or two in advance for every conference,” 

The Simmons Leadership Conference attracts over 4,000 middle and senior-level women from around the world every year, according to the conference’s website. The conference is a non-profit fundraiser for Simmons graduate student scholarships.