COVID Precautions & Workshop Waiver
The health and safety of Main Street Now Conference attendees is our top priority. We are closely monitoring COVID-19 conditions as well as recommendations from the CDC, state, and local health authorities around maintaining the safest environment possible for conference attendees. Main Street America has developed the following COVID-19 policy based on several factors including, but not limited to, conversation and input from staff, evaluation of the Main Street Now 2022 protocols and feedback from attendees, and research about conference industry standards. We also recognize that the pandemic continues to negatively impact the health of individuals and communities, as well as the conference’s important role in providing professional development and network-building opportunities for Main Street leaders.
To that end, we have developed the following COVID-19 policy that aims to create a conference environment that establishes reasonable, flexible, and implementable measures to ensure the health and safety of attendees.
Testing
Regardless of vaccination status, all attendees are required to conduct a rapid test no more than 24-hours prior to check-in, and to provide proof of the test result at check-in. Additional details about how to provide proof of test results will be shared with attendees at a later date.
Attendees with positive test results are required to avoid contact with others, self-isolate, and seek all necessary medical treatment per CDC guidelines. A limited supply of rapid tests will be available onsite for purchase to attendees needing to test prior to check-in and/or wanting to test during the conference. To ensure availability and access to a rapid test, we strongly recommend that attendees plan ahead and include rapid test kits in their packing list.
Vaccination
We strongly recommend and encourage all conference attendees to be fully vaccinated and up to date with COVID-19 vaccines that are approved or authorized for use in the United States. This includes having received all primary, booster, and updated bivalent booster shots, with the most recent dose occurring at least two weeks prior to travel. Although vaccines and proof of vaccination will not be required and vaccine status will not be checked onsite, they are strongly encouraged as they provide effective protection from serious illness and hospitalization.
Attendees who develop symptoms of COVID-19, are asked to notify John Chomiak at JChomiak@savingplaces.org immediately for assistance with receiving testing and/or medical care, if needed.
Masking
We strongly recommend and encourage all conference attendees to wear a mask within the conference venues and during all conference activities, especially when indoors and in crowded settings.
Wearing surgical, KN95, KF94, or N95 masks that extends from the chin to the bridge of the nose is highly recommended, as they provide protection against the transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses. A limited supply of complimentary masks will be available onsite for attendees. To ensure availability and access to masks, we strongly recommend that attendees plan ahead and include masks in their packing list.
Physical Distancing
To help facilitate effective communication of each attendee’s comfort level with social distancing, during registration check-in you will be able to add a symbol that represents your preference for physical interaction on your conference badge.
Self-Check Responsibilities
Any attendee should not attend the Conference if within the 5 days prior to the conference:
Notice to Attendees
Anyone planning on attending the conference needs to make their own individualized risk assessment and use judgment about their comfort level attending a large gathering.
Attendees should consult CDC, state, and local health authorities, as well as health care provider(s), for additional guidance applicable to their personal circumstances, including any order recommending or requiring them to quarantine after travel or after a possible or confirmed exposure to COVID-19. To the extent any federal, state, or local law requires safeguards in addition to those required in this policy, attendees should follow them. Attendees should also review policies and procedures from transportation and hotel providers prior to their attendance at the conference.
Notice of Potential Event Changes
This COVID-19 policy is subject to change at any time, including but not limited to, recommendations in accordance with the CDC, state, and local health guidance.
Since government orders and pandemic conditions can rapidly change without notice, we reserve the right to adjust the number of attendees registered to attend any portion of our conference at any time.
Main Street America is not responsible for any additional costs you may incur due to a conference cancellation, including but not limited to: cancellation fees, airfare, accommodations, transportation costs, etc.
Attendance at the conference is subject to Main Street America’s policies and procedures, which will be based on current Government Orders, policies and procedures of the venues, and other policies and procedures as may be determined necessary by Main Street America. Because pandemic conditions can change at any time, we reserve the right to change our policies and procedures at any time. By registering for the conference, you agree to comply with Government Orders, Main Street America’s and the venue’s policies and procedures, including, but not limited to: face coverings, physical distancing, quarantine, or health screenings and/or questionnaires.
Main Street America and/or any conference venue reserve the right to ask an attendee to leave the conference or to refuse admission to an attendee who violates the policies and procedures of the conference, and/or the venue. If you are asked to leave or refused admission to the conference, you will not be readmitted into the conference and no refund will be provided.
Mobile Workshop Waiver and Release
In consideration of participating in any of the mobile workshops at the 2023 Main Street Now Conference (the “Mobile Workshop”), I, on behalf of myself and my heirs and assigns, hereby release, waive, discharge, covenant not to sue and will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the National Main Street Center, Inc., and its trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents and assigns from and against any and all loss, damage, claims, demands and/or liability, including, without limitation, personal injury, bodily injury, death, or loss of property, incurred by me during, or as a result of, my participation in the Mobile Workshop, even if such damages are caused by the negligence of the aforementioned or other third parties. Further, I agree that this Waiver & Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the City of Boston and/or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that if any portion of it is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall continue in full legal force and effect.
To the best of my knowledge, I can fully participate in any and all activities that I engage in in connection with the Mobile Workshop. I am fully aware of risks and hazards connected with the activities and I hereby elect to voluntarily participate in said activities, knowing that the activity may be hazardous to me and my property. I assume all the risk of injury and loss and waive and release any claim of damage and injury of any nature I might have against the National Main Street Center, Inc., and its trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents and assigns from any and all loss, damage, claims, demands and/or liability arising from the negligence of the aforementioned or other third parties, including, without limitation, personal injury, bodily injury, death, or loss of property, incurred by me during or as a result of my participation in the Mobile Workshop. I waive the protection afforded by any statute or law in any jurisdiction whose purpose, substance, and/or effect is to provide that a general release does not extend to claims which the person giving the release does not know or suspect to exist at the time of executing the release.
By participating in the Mobile Workshop, I represent that I have no physical or mental limitations that would interfere with my safe participation. I hereby release and forever discharge National Main Street Center, Inc. from any claim whatsoever which arises, or may hereafter arise, on account of any first aid, treatment, or medical service rendered in connection with my participation in the Mobile workshop.
By agreeing to this Waiver & Release, I certify that I am at least eighteen (18) years of age, that I had the opportunity to read this Waiver & Release, to consult with an attorney if desired, and that I fully understand all of the provisions herein. I further certify that I have freely and voluntarily signed my name below to express my acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Waiver & Release, and that no written or oral representations, statements, or inducements were made to obtain my consent.
Cancellation Policy
We will allow cancellations for any reason through Monday, February 27, at 11:59pm CT. These cancellations will incur a $25 cancellation fee. The cancellation fee will be waived if you opt to roll your registration over to the 2024 Main Street Now Conference. You may also transfer your registration to another individual at no cost. All cancellations must be sent in writing to mainstreet@savingplaces.org. Refunds will be processed within one week of receipt of cancellation. Cancellations will not be accepted after February 27, 2023.
