The Program Chair works with a Program Committee formed of Africanist colleagues resident at the site of the Annual Meeting. The Program Committee raises funds locally to support its activities. The Program Chair is responsible for locating local sponsors, most of which tend to be institutions of higher education.

The Program Committee organizes cultural and special events associated with the meeting: major speaker, special meetings, exhibitions, film program, performances, receptions, teachers' workshop, and the design of the program cover. The major speaker, if one is desired, needs to be selected in consultation with the Panels Chair and the ASA Executive Director; on occasion, it may be useful to consider merging the Abiola Distingushed Lecturer with the major speaker function.