The US federal government has declared an end to the COVID-19 emergency. However, we have seen an increase in COVID cases this summer, and the public health situation may change with respect to COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. AIA and SCS will require onsite attendees to respect any and all mandates that may apply at the time of the conference, and to follow all public health and guidelines issued by federal, Illinois state, and city of Chicago government agencies and the hotel. Attendees who refuse to follow public health mandates that are legally required at the time of the conference will not be allowed to attend the conference onsite in Chicago. The conference organizers will email all registered attendees and post information on the AIA and SCS website if any public health guidelines or mandates will apply to the conference.
AIA and SCS strongly encourage vaccination against COVID-19, including up-to-date boosters for which attendees are eligible, and also encourage mask wearing by those attendees who deem it necessary or prudent. All attendees should respect the choice of any staff member, attendee, or vendor to wear a mask and / or engage in social distancing.
What We Will Do
AIA and SCS will:
- Monitor COVID positivity rate and hospitalization statistics, and revised guidance from state, local, and federal agencies; and update COVID guidelines for the annual meeting as necessary.
- Work closely with staff at the Hilton Chicago to ensure a safe conference experience.
- Ensure appropriate social distancing in session rooms with seating arrangements, and encourage traffic flow that avoids static crowds.
- Provide a limited supply of rapid tests that can be used by attendees on an urgent basis for those who are symptomatic or have a close contact who has tested positive.
- Provide assistance to conference attendees who test positive and need to self-isolate.
What You Can Do
We recommend that all attendees are up to date on COVID vaccinations including booster shots.
All attendees should take a rapid COVID test in the 24 hours preceding arrival at the conference. Please do not attend the conference in person if you have COVID symptoms or test positive for COVID. Anyone who tests positive for COVID and/or is symptomatic may switch from in-person to virtual registration with no administrative fee, or cancel with no administrative fee.
While at the conference, we encourage attendees to test regularly using rapid tests. Tests may be purchased online or at most local pharmacies. and AIA/SCS will have a supply of rapid tests for those who need them urgently.
If you test positive for COVID while at the meeting or have COVID symptoms, which may precede a positive test result, please self-isolate. You can still participate in hybrid and virtual sessions virtually.
Take extra care with personal hygiene while at the conference. Wash and sanitize your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. Participants may want to wear surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94) when in crowded indoor spaces.
After you have registered, check back on this page for updates and read email updates from AIA/SCS about any changes to guidelines and requirements.