2024 HCM Summer Training

Event Safety During Ongoing Public Health Emergencies

With ongoing public health emergencies, NASPA is prepared to manage our place-based events with the health, safety, and well-being of our attendees, staff, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers in mind. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, NASPA staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by our code of conduct and all polices in effect for any event sponsored by the Association.

We will continue to monitor and update safety precautions for all of our conferences regularly and coordinate with trusted national resources, state and local public health agencies, and the hotels/venues hosting our events.

In all cases, we will continue to assess the risks in the area local to the event and the current status in the United States. In keeping with the Association's duty of care and the responsibility as host, NASPA has implemented safety requirements for many of our place-based convenings.

We reserve the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time given the rapidly changing nature of any current and ongoing public health emergencies. 

Attending a NASPA Event

Before leaving home to attend a NASPA Event, please follow relevant guidance on all communicable disease (flu, COVID-19, etc.) from the WHO, CDC, and/or your loal health authority regarding exposure, testing, and quarantine recommendations. You should adhere to government issues travel restrictions and guidance to/from the regions you will be traveling.

Before Leaving Home

• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• Stay home if you are knowingly exposed to the flu, COVID-19, or develop symptoms and/or test positive for any communicable disease within 14 days prior to a NASPA event.

Onsite During an Event

• Follow guidance from the local health authority for everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of viruses including:
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Throw unused tissues in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with wipes.
• If you so choose, wear a properly fitting, CDC recommended face mask during the event. Face masks should cover from the bridge of your nose to past your chin.
• Adhere to protocols put in place by the Association, the venue, or the local health authorities.
• If, at any time during an event, you feel unwell, learn that you have been exposed to the flu or COVID-19, etc. at or less than 14 days prior to the event, develop symptoms, or test positive for a communicable virus, do not attend the meetings. Please remain in your hotel room or at home and seek medical advice.

COVID-19 Vaccination

In keeping with the Association's duty to care and responsibility as host, NASPA leadership encourage all participants at NASPA events whether a presenter, attendee, exhibitor, staff, guest, or vendor to stay up to date with vaccines. Updated January 18, 2024, the CDC Vaccines website provides definitions and what you need to know about the process.

NASPA strongly encourages individuals to be tested for COVID prior to traveling to any NASPA event. Individuals who test positive should stay home and cancel your registration. If you are on-site and test positive for COVID-19, please contact NASPA staff by emailing [email protected].