Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1372927
I DA U N I V E R S A L M ay -J u n e 2 0 2 1 4 EDITOR'S NOTES Sheila Andrews Executive Director/Editor SAVE THE DATES IDA 2021 Convention & Trade Show Hilton Downtown Miami, Florida October 13-15 2022 Lake Buena Vista Hotel Orlando, Florida T he convention cycle is beginning to whir again in the U.S. With states like Florida and Texas going wide-open and Las Vegas boosting capacity on casino fl oors and convention spaces, many are still feeling uneasy about what that means for infec- tion risk. Be confi dent that no tradeshow is ignoring the risks, and neither will IDA during our Annual Convention to be held October 13-15. Some of the very fi rst groups to welcome attendees in person again were the professional meeting and event coordinator communities. Going out on the leading edge, these certifi ed professionals are writing the playbook for groups like IDA to ensure health and safety at trade- shows and expos. Several events of note in our industry have made some signifi - cant changes to their attendance protocols – most notably, World of Concrete, being held in June in Las Vegas, Nevada. Along with the standard guidelines we are familiar with when it comes to something as simple as entering a store, World of Concrete has elimi- nated paper badges and is going 100% digital. You will scan your smartphone for entrance, booth information, lead generation, and other elements of the expo. IDA will still provide physical badges, but to assuage your fears that may be keeping you on the fence about returning to in-person events, IDA makes you this promise on health and safety: e Hilton Miami Downtown, our host hotel, provides a clean room promise. IDA Convention Priority: Your Health & Safety Each room door is secured with a Lysol-branded seal noting the disinfection of each room prior to new occupancy. If your door does not have a seal or the seal is broken, that is your sign that the room may not be properly cleaned, and the hotel will respond immediately. Six-feet/two meter distances will be observed at all IDA events. Floor stickers and signs reminding you to keep a safe distance will be placed around the event. Temperature checks will be taken at registration and upon entering all IDA indoor event spaces. Masks will be required. Hospital-grade hand-sanitizer stations will be available every few feet in the meeting space common areas, general session and education room, tradeshow fl oor, and meal space. Socially-distanced seating will be implemented in all general session, education, and meal spaces. No self-serve, buff et meals will be provided. Meals will either be pre-boxed and sealed or served to you by hotel staff in masks, gloves, and while behind plexi- glass protective barriers. Socially-distanced seating will be provided on bus transpor- tation to off -site events. e tradeshow fl oor will have all aisles and trade show booths professionally disinfected. Additional health and safety measures and policies may be put in place ahead of the tradeshow. We will monitor all domestic and international travel policies regarding COVID-19 to assist attendees and exhibitors departing the event with any necessary documentation. Additionally, all Miami- Dade County ordinances will be observed, but IDA reserves the right to implement increased health and safety protocols for the benefi t and comfort of our attendees, exhibitors, and guests. If you experience any health and safety measures at events that might help IDA, please share those with us. Also, if you have some concerns, we are here to listen and help. You can reach out to me at sheila@idaparts.org or Alice Morris at info@idaparts. org. Our Annual Convention is important to our connections with each other as an industry and as individuals, but nothing is more important than your health. IDA wants to ensure you have both. We will see you in October, in Miami, FL. It is about time for a trip to the beach!