ISPE-CaSA 2022 Tech Conference event organizers, along with Raleigh Convention Center and Marriott City Center staff, are planning the path to success and safety for all attendees, exhibitors and staff. Robust risk mitigation measures are being undertaken to instill confidence in the safety of this in-person event. ISPE-CaSA, in conjunction with the venues and vendors supporting our conference, will follow health and safety measures issued at the time of the event by state and local authorities, with consideration of CDC guidance, to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the health and safety of our event participants.

What will be different in the ISPE-CaSA 2022 Tech Conference education sessions?

Attendee/audience seating may be modified to allow for compliance with any reduced capacity guidelines, and room sets may be modified to accommodate increased spacing. Overflow seating and live stream simulcast may be implemented if necessary for certain presentations. Speakers will have individual microphones that will be sanitized between sessions.

What will be different in the exhibit hall and networking events?

ISPE-CaSA event organizers have worked to offer robust opportunities to engage with your peers and colleagues on-site, with modifications to traditional event settings that help mitigate risks. Specifically, events may include individually portioned food/beverage, alternative food/beverage service protocols, adjusted spacing, and other accommodations.

Event Code of Conduct

We expect all individuals will think carefully about any risk they may pose to others and to make informed choices about travel as well as onsite and external engagement.  All event attendees, speakers, exhibitors and staff are expected to agree to these Personal Actions Supporting the Collective Wellbeing. To be clear, these policies and protocols do not substitute for your organization’s process/procedures that may be applicable to attendees or exhibitors traveling to the 2022 Tech Conference and/or applicable guidance for all individuals from relevant health authorities; ISPE-CaSA expects that all individuals will, at all times, comply with all such applicable guidance. 

• What if I have known exposure risk before coming?

If at the time of the event you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have reason to believe you currently have COVID-19, you should not attend the conference. If you have reason to believe you have recently been exposed to COVID-19, please consult your physician to determine appropriate next steps. ISPE-CaSA encourages all individuals to follow applicable guidance from their care providers and relevant public health authorities. Information on rapid testing sites is here [covid19.ncdhhs.gov]. 

Before Leaving Home

• Follow relevant guidance provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control [cdc.gov], the State of North Carolina [nc.gov], and Wake County [wakegov.com].

• Adhere to government-issued travel restrictions and guidance issued by the region you are traveling from.

• Evaluate your own health and that of people you are in close contact with; contact the event organizers if you have concerns.

• Stay home if you feel sick or have tested positive or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the 14 days leading up to the event date. 

On-site During the Event

• Follow guidance from your local health authority, for everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including:

o Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

o Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

o Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. 

• Agree to wear a mask or facial covering, if required by federal, state, or local mandates and/or the event organizers. Currently the City of Raleigh requires face covering use in indoor spaces, except when actively eating and drinking, regardless of vaccination status. 

• Adhere to any social distance protocols put in place by the event organizers, and respect others’ comfort levels with respect to mask wearing, social distancing, and physical contact (e.g. handshakes).

• Report to event staff at any time, if you feel unwell or are experiencing flulike symptoms. 

Post-event

Based on current contact tracing advice from many health authorities, if you test positive for COVID-19 up to 14 days after returning home, please contact the event organizers to advise them.