A Message to the Authors, Vendors and Guests Affected by the Canceled Neighbors and Novels Event
HACC recognizes that the cancellation of the April 11, 2026, Neighbors and Novels event caused frustration, inconvenience and real financial and professional disruption for authors, vendors and guests who planned to participate.
We understand that participants invested time, preparation, promotion and, in some cases, money in this event. We also understand that the short notice added to that harm. We are sorry.
What Happened On April 10, 2026, HACC announced major budget-related changes, including position eliminations and other operational adjustments tied to the College’s 2026-27 budget. Those decisions created immediate disruption that affected scheduled activities, including this event.
That context does not lessen the impact on the authors, vendors and guests who were preparing to participate. We know you deserved clearer communication and more notice than you received. Again, we are sorry.
What We Want Authors, Vendors and Guests to Know Community partnerships matter to HACC. Community-centered events help bring people together, support local voices and strengthen connections across our region.
We also understand that trust is built through actions. HACC is reviewing what occurred, documenting the impact on participants and identifying next steps to respond responsibly and improve how future events are planned.
What HACC Is Doing Now HACC is taking the following steps:
Reaching out directly to affected authors and vendors
Reviewing event communication procedures so participants receive timely and direct notice in the future
Exploring appropriate ways to rebuild trust with the impacted author and vendor community
Posting updates on this page as additional information becomes available
Information for Affected Participants If you were scheduled to participate in the canceled Neighbors and Novels event, please complete and submit this online form so we can ensure we have your correct information and respond appropriately:
Please include your name, best contact information and any immediate concerns related to the cancellation.
Our Commitment Moving Forward HACC is committed to serving our community with respect, transparency and care. We regret the disruption this cancellation caused and appreciate the authors, vendors and guests who have raised their concerns.
We will continue updating this page as outreach continues and next steps are determined.
Thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Question
Answer
After the event was canceled, what has the College done to communicate with impacted vendors?
We acknowledge that there were missteps in the event planning and communications.
On April 13, 2026, HACC issued an apology to impacted authors and vendors.
The College will contact vendors, as appropriate, to discuss a path forward and begin identifying ways to move ahead constructively.
Will the vendors be reimbursed for out-of-state travel and accommodations?
Yes. If the vendor completes HACC’s process to become a vendor in our system and provides proper receipts, the College will reimburse them for out-of-state travel and accommodations.
Will vendors be reimbursed for food, books, supplies, etc.?
No. We do not have any signed agreements indicating that the College is responsible for reimbursement in the event of cancellation.
Will you issue an apology to the former employees?
No. We issued a public apology. As the event organizers are former employees, any contact with them would be made through the HACC Office of Human Resources and Organizational Development.
Will you reschedule the event?
The book fair is not an event that students are requesting. The event had minimal student interest and was ideal for community members. As we are a student-first institution, if students request this type of event in the future, we would be happy to revisit an event of this nature.
Why were the original organizers of the event blamed?
We did not assign fault to the organizers when communicating or contacting vendors.
In each interaction, HACC employees:
Clearly stated they were serving as the event's point of contact
Acknowledged that some details were still being clarified
Committed to assisting as best they could
At no point were the organizers named or responsibilities reassigned.
Through these outreach efforts, it became evident that there had been lapses in communication with several vendors. Some vendors indicated that they had not received updates in over two weeks. As a result, several vendors, including the primary food vendor, withdrew from the event.
Again, we apologize for the lapses in communication.
Given these developments, existing gaps in event details and the unreadiness of other vendors, we made the difficult decision to cancel the event.
People who submitted the online form were invited to meet with HACC leaders to discuss this matter. How did the meetings go?
The meeting attendees were kind and respectful and shared their disappointment and concerns candidly. HACC leaders listened with care. Together, they identified a path forward grounded in respect and restoration. Collectively, they are working on plans to strengthen future opportunities to support vendors and authors in ways that benefit our students.
