SAG-AFTRA to Hold Fifth National Convention Oct. 15-18

Los Angeles — SAG-AFTRA leaders from around the nation will gather virtually from Oct. 15–18 for the union’s fifth national convention. Due to uncertainty surrounding the ongoing pandemic, the convention was scheduled to take place entirely online. The theme, “Virtual / Vital / Visionary,” reflects this reality, as well as the forward-looking philosophy of this important biennial event.

SAG-AFTRA’s national convention brings together delegates from the union’s 25 locals to represent the union’s diverse membership of 160,000, which includes actors, broadcasters, recording artists/singers and others who work in front of a camera or behind a microphone.

The convention begins on Saturday with the election of the union’s top officers, other than the newly elected SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, who were elected in September by the general membership. First comes the executive vice president, SAG-AFTRA’s No. 2 elected official. Afterwards, delegates elect the geographic and category vice presidents.

Also taking place on Saturday will be a keynote conversation from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and amendments to the SAG-AFTRA Constitution and resolutions. The evening program features the presentation of the George Heller Memorial Award, a golden membership card given to members or staff who have provided exceptional service to the union throughout the years.

Sunday will bring a report from National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, with the bulk of delegates’ time focusing on the remaining resolutions, which help map out the union’s priorities for the coming years. In the evening, at a special ceremony, the union will bestow the American Scene Awards, the only union honor that recognizes employers, to producers whose works intelligently reflect the country’s diversity. This event will be hosted by SAG-AFTRA members Yvette Nicole Brown and Ken Jeong.

The convention wraps up on Monday, with reports from Drescher, the newly elected executive vice president and Fisher.

The SAG-AFTRA National Board will meet Tuesday, after the convention’s conclusion. 

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.