WASHINGTON, D.C. — Beginning with ASAE’s Summit Awards on September 30, all registrants for ASAE meetings and events will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before entering. The association is researching a technology solution that will allow members to submit proof of vaccination during online registration.
A statement from the association said: “The first priority in all meetings and events decisions is the safety and welfare of our attendees, exhibitors, partners and team,” and that the decision was made to enable in-person events to take place with lower risk to participants. There will be religious and medical exemptions allowed.
“This policy is based on guidance and recommendations issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health authorities,” the statement said. “The COVID-19 vaccines approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization and the vaccines that the FDA has fully approved have been determined to be critical in reducing the community prevalence of COVID-19.”
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ASAE will also require registrants to submit an Acknowledgment of Personal Responsibility Form and to comply with any state or local mask mandates in place for indoor events.
The initial reaction to ASAE’s proof of vaccination policy has been positive. “We’ve even heard from other association leaders that they plan to use our language as a model for their own policies,” said Chris Vest, CAE, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Public Relations at ASAE. “I think, by and large, the association community supports the adoption of any protocols that help ensure a safer, successful in-person meeting or conference. Vaccination policies are gaining momentum because they’re a way of lowering the risk to attendees, exhibitors and event organizers so they can feel safe and still have the face-to-face experience we all missed over the past 18 months or so.”
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ASAE is a membership organization of more than 48,000 association executives and industry partners representing 7,400 organizations. Its annual meeting is scheduled for August 6-9 in Nashville.
Reach Chris Vest at (202) 626-2798 or cvest@asaecenter.org
