The organization has been tracking the Tennessee therapist legislation and made clear weeks ago it could abandon Nashville as a convention site if the governor signed the bill.
"WARNING: In light of recent legislative actions in Tennessee, ACA is currently weighing options regarding the location of the 2017 Conference and Expo," reads a notice posted on the group's website. "More information coming soon."
When The Tennessean asked Haslam on Wednesday if the state was open for business, the governor said, "Absolutely. We have the track record to prove that."
The association repeatedly condemned the legislation as lawmakers advanced it this year in the Tennessee General Assembly, saying it was unnecessary because counselors already have authority to refer clients to others for professional but not for discriminatory reasons. The national group called for Haslam to veto the measure, arguing that Tennesseans in need of counseling — especially youths in rural areas with limited access to therapists — could be harmed.
"We hope the ACA thoughtfully considers all that Nashville and Tennessee have to offer and chooses to host its 2017 conference here," Haslam spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals said Thursday.