Masks: Wearing masks is important to prevent the asymptomatic spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, regardless of what state you are traveling to or from. Choosing not to wear a mask puts the health of others and your own health at risk. Masks will always be required for all conference participants, guests and exhibitors when they are not actively eating or drinking, regardless of vaccination status. Any person who refuses to comply with NAEOP’s mask mandate will not be allowed to participate in any further in-person events, and will not be issued a refund. We are following Washington state COVID-19 protocols, and reserve the right to change these guidelines as state mandates shift.
Vaccinations: NAEOP strongly encourages all participants to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to the conference. Providing the safest environment for our colleagues at our Annual Conference in Bellevue remains a top priority for the NAEOP Board and its membership. We want in-person participants to feel at ease during the conference. As such, we expect all participants to be considerate of others in attendance, and use provided sanitation stations regularly. To that end, NAEOP is currently developing ways for participants to nonverbally communicate their comfort with various levels of physical proximity and contact during the conference. More information about these options will be available in the coming weeks.
Travel: No participant or vendor should attend in-person if they have tested positive for COVID-19 (since July 16, 2021), are waiting for COVID-19 test results, are showing COVID-19 symptoms, or if they have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19 within 3 days of traveling. If you selected that you would be participating in-person when you registered and those plans have changed, please email conference@naeoptrio.org so that we have accurate information for catering. You will still have full access to the virtual conference via the Socio app. See additional safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Hotel: We are working closely with the Hilton Bellevue to ensure that room capacities at the conference hotel will be capped at the recommended percentage based on state and federal guidelines. Additionally, Hilton has also announced its CleanStay Commitment, which focuses on the safety and wellbeing of colleagues and guests in a COVID-19 world and beyond.
We appreciate your understanding and commitment to a safe, welcoming and healthy conference environment this October.