COVID Policies for Conference Events
updated 13 July 2022
Dear In-Person Participants,
Like us, we hope you are looking forward to the camaraderie and intellectual stimulation of the upcoming NABMSA Conference.
The NABMSA Executive Officers and conference organizers remain committed to creating a safe environment for everyone and are working hard to that end. As you will be aware, COVID is still very much with us, and cases of the BA.4 and BA.5 variants are on the rise across the nation. As of today (July 12, 2022), McLean County where ISU is located is experiencing a “high” rate of community transmission (https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/data/community-level.html).
With this in mind, the NABMSA Exec would like to remind you of the COVID protocols for the conference:
At registration check-in, all participants will be asked to show proof of vaccination in either physical or digital form. If you are unvaccinated because of a medical condition, you will be asked to provide a physician’s note indicating this. Conference workers have been instructed not to register anyone without proof of vaccination.
For all indoor conference activities not involving food and drink all conference attendees are asked to wear a N-95 or KN-95 mask covering their mouth and nose. A KN-95 mask will be provided at registration for each participant, and additional masks can be made available at the registration desk. Conference workers have been instructed to not allow any participants into the presentation spaces who are not masked (exception being those who have a medical exception on file at registration).
At events, especially those involving food and drink where masking is difficult, we encourage participants to be mindful of other participants and do what is possible to make for a safe experience including masking when possible and practicing social distancing.
We encourage participants to bring COVID self-tests and to use them if they begin to experience any COVID symptoms. Self-tests can also be purchased at a CVS which is a block from the conference hotel (100 S Fell Ave Suite 103, Normal, IL 61761).
If you become ill or test positive during the conference, please isolate in your accommodation and contact the conference organizers who will assist you in any way possible. If you are scheduled to present in-person, we will arrange for you to present on Zoom.
We are also working to ensure safe conditions at the conference banquet, and hope to follow up with you in the coming days regarding this.
Through individual vigilance in service to the NABMSA community, it is our hope that we will all experience a safe and enjoyable conference in the context that we currently find ourselves. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact President Christina Bashford or Vice-President Christopher Scheer.
See you next week!
Sincerely,
Your NABMSA Executive Board
Conference Protocols
This year, more than ever before, we are aware of the privilege that gathering in person represents. With that in mind, the conference organizers and the NABMSA board have developed the following COVID Protocols. Our goal is to make our conference safe for all participating NABMSA members.
At registration check-in, all participants will be asked to provide proof of at least two doses of COVID vaccination. If you are unvaccinated because of a medical condition, you will be asked to provide a physician’s note indicating this.
For all indoor conference activities not involving food and drink all conference attendees are asked to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose. Masks will be available at all conference events.
At events, especially those involving food and drink where masking is difficult, we encourage participants to be mindful of other participants and do what is possible to make for a safe experience.
Conference attendees are encouraged to make use of hand sanitizer which will be available in all rooms where conference events take place.
While these protocols will require a little extra effort from all of us at a time when pandemic weariness is high, and the threat of the virus has reduced, it is important to remember that these actions are for the good of the NABMSA community as a whole. They allow individuals in higher risk categories to be with us, feel safe, and contribute to the excellence of the conference.
Protocols will be enforced by the conference organizers including the NABMSA Board and Executive. Those who are unwilling to comply with them are invited to participate in the conference virtually.
COVID Policies at ISU
Following state guidelines, masking on the ISU campus is no longer required. There will be other events happening in all of the buildings (including the State Farm Hall of Business where our conference papers will be presented). For more information see https://coronavirus.illinoisstate.edu/.
All of the ISU facilities have been updated with HEPA filters, and given the newness of the State Farm Hall of Business, the ventilation throughout the building exceeds the high standards ensured across campus.
The pair of rooms where the conference papers will be presented in the State Farm Hall of Business are spacious and have narrow desks that seat 2-3 people apiece in a terraced seating design. The occupancy for COB (College of Business) 366 is 100 people and COB 368 is 46 people. There is a well-ventilated executive conference room on the fourth floor that allows full meals where the Board-sponsored Student Event can take place.
COVID Policies at the Conference Hotel
Hyatt Place continues to operate following their nationwide Covid-19 protocols and advanced cleaning procedures in each room. The lobby space for breakfasts is a double height and has ample volume for ventilation. For more information see: https://www.hyatt.com/info/housekeeping.