Updated Conference Center Guidelines re: COVID-19

We remain focused on providing space that meets your conferencing and meeting needs while also ensuring appropriate protocols are in place to proactively help minimize the spread of COVID-19.  As a result, we have made the following changes to our conference space operations:

• Increased the frequency and rigor of cleaning and sanitization of conference space, meeting rooms and the like;
• Provided our team with up-to-the-moment guidance and information; we’re encouraging sick team members to stay home and asking our teams to travel only if necessary;
• Updated our terms for cancellations and refunds for all events for the moment so you can make decisions that are best for you and your participants.
  • We’ll be issuing a credit voucher for sums paid, good for one year from the date of your reservation, if you cancel within 10 days of the reservation; if you cancel prior to 10 days, you can receive a full refund. (Our existing policy requires 50% forfeiture of the reservation when an event is cancelled within 10 days of the reservation date).
  • In the event that FPWA cancels due to an unavailability of the space due to changing advisement re: COVID-19, we’ll issue full refund to you for your reservation.

• We are not accepting new reservations for our space through May 15th; reservations beyond May 15th are being honored unless cancellation becomes necessary due to changing situation re: COVID-19; and,
• We are actively evaluating reservations for over 50 participants and will be reaching out to renters with these reservations.

In addition, we ask you to help us in making sure your participants are aware of personal preventative measures they can take to help mitigate the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. Please take a moment at the beginning of your meeting and throughout to remind attendees of the preventative measures they can take as advised by posters and other materials in our space. Those include:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.
• Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
• Do not shake hands; instead, wave or elbow bump.
• Monitor your health more closely; if you feel unwell or begin sneezing or coughing, step out of the room and determine whether you need to go home. If you feel sick and have symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, fever or sore throat, please go home.
• Please notify a member of our staff if you have a meeting participant who is symptomatic.

As this situation continues to evolve, we will continue to closely monitor guidance from local health officials to inform the continued operation of our conference center. We will continue to rely on their recommendations and expertise to inform our decisions.

While we believe the recommendations contained in this notice to constitute good sense advice, this is not intended to replace or obviate the need to consult with your own organization’s leadership, healthcare professionals or follow the directions of any government agency.

DOHMH – Cover Your Cough

DOHMH – Stop the Spread

DOHMH – Travel Triage

WHO – Coping with Stress