Conference Update: Health and Safety
We always knew we might have to change plans. After all, what have the last 18 months been, if not a series of adjustments?
When we began thinking about the logistics for a Portland conference just about of two months ago, the highly infectious COVID-19 Delta variant accounted for about 3% of new infections. Today, we are in a very different place, with the variant now responsible for over 80% of new infections in the United States. At its meeting yesterday, the WAA Executive Committee decided that all persons joining us in Portland will now need to be fully vaccinated. Moreover, we will require Portland participants to wear masks when in our meeting space at the hotel. WAA is exercising this option out of an abundance of caution.
If you have already registered for the conference and are not vaccinated, please make plans to receive your vaccine doses by August 16.
Conference attendees will be asked to show proof of vaccination when picking up their name badges. We will accept a vaccine passport, vaccine certificate, or a clear digital photograph of the certificate.
If you have already registered for Portland and choose not to be vaccinated, please contact us to switch your registration type to the Virtual-Only program, or for a refund.
WAA will grant medical exemptions or an exemption for a religious belief. Medical exemptions include anyone at risk of an adverse reaction because of an allergy to one of the vaccine components or a medical condition. Religious exemptions include anyone who declined vaccination because of a sincerely held religious belief. If you claim either of these exemptions and wish to participate in the conference, WAA strongly encourages you to consider signing up for the virtual program. If you claim an exemption and still desire to join us in Portland, please get in touch with us.
— WAA Staff
conference.westarts.org
To help you navigate the hybrid conference, visit the dedicated conference, found in the main WAA site navigation under Conference. On the conference site you can find more information about the tentative virtual, and in-person schedules, find answers to your questions in the FAQs, learn about showcasing, and more!