INTA Updates Health Precautions for 2022 Annual Meeting Live+

As the situation with COVID-19 and its variants continues to develop, INTA has updated its health precautions for the in-person portion of the 2022 Annual Meeting Live+, which takes place from April 30 through May 4. The revisions make the requirements more cost-effective and seamless for registrants while maintaining the Association’s emphasis on health and safety.

Under the updated guidelines, registrants must show proof of being “fully vaccinated” as well as proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR, rapid antigen, or self-administered) within 48 hours before picking up their badge. No one will be provided with their badge for entry to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., without such evidence.

Early-bird registration for Live+ (in person + virtual) is available through March 4.

“Our commitment to registrants’ health and safety is unwavering,” said INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. “We recognize, however, that just as we have been agile throughout the pandemic, circumstances are continually evolving and we need to adapt our health precautions when appropriate to make in-person entry as easy as possible while also ensuring safety.”

He added that the Association continues to closely monitor local and global guidelines, and its health and safety precautions are subject to change.

For registrants to access the Convention Center and collect their badge, the following guidelines are in place:

• To meet the “fully vaccinated” requirement, either two weeks or more must have passed since the date the registrant received the second dose of a two-dose series vaccine; or two weeks or more must have passed since the date the registrant received a single-dose vaccine. Acceptable international vaccinations include those currently recognized by the World Health Organization.
• To meet the negative test requirement, the test needs to be performed within 48 hours before the registrant’s badge pick-up. A negative COVID-19 test result is either an official negative (Not Detected) PCR or rapid antigen test report that shows a bio sample was collected, and the test was performed within 48 hours before the registrant’s badge pick-up; or a picture of a negative test result from a home-use self-administered over-the-counter test (self-test kit), and the self-test was performed within 48 hours before the registrant’s badge pick-up. For self-testing, please visit the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s information portal on self-testing.

This COVID-test requirement replaces INTA’s previous plans to have on-site testing for entry to the Meeting.

However, PCR testing services on site will be available at a registrant’s own cost for registrants who have international travel, after their badge pick-up, and require proof of testing for traveling home or elsewhere. Additionally, complimentary onsite COVID-19 rapid testing will be available at the Convention Center for those who are feeling unwell.

The Convention Center itself has extremely high health and safety standards, with its best practices acknowledged in several awards it has received. Among the awards, Events DC has earned GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation for the Convention Center for its preeminent cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention strategies. Illustrative of the Center’s innovative efforts, it utilizes the UV-C disinfection robot ADIBOT as a critical tool in its cleaning operations. Also, INTA has adapted its Meeting schedule to allow for cleaning of rooms between sessions.

For those who cannot or choose not to attend the in-person Meeting, the Association is offering another option: Virtual Only. Premium Access pricing for the virtual event runs through April 1.

Scott Mayhew (Zoetis Inc., Parsippany, New Jersey, USA) will be one of the brand professionals on the ground in Washington, D.C. “I feel completely comfortable going in person. Even when I think about people attending from all around the world, that doesn’t change anything for me,” he explained. “I’m ready to see people in person.”

Mr. Mayhew acknowledged that not all stakeholders may agree with his attitude and commended INTA for offering registrants a choice between registering for Live+ or Virtual Only. He noted: “If someone’s level of comfort is not there, they can still attend [virtually]. Choice and flexibility are key things.”

Watch a video in which Mr. Sanz de Acedo explains the evolution of the Live+ format. Register now for the 2022 Annual Meeting Live+. 

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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