Updated: February 24, 2022
Our first responsibility at NatCon22 is to you, our participants, our exhibitors, our partners and our team. We are 100% committed to your health and safety, which is why we are putting rigorous plans in place for our safe return to an in-person event.
Please note: We are working closely with our partners in the Washington, D.C., metro area and at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, as we follow all federal, state, local and CDC guidelines.
Changes to any on-site safety protocols will be reflected here and timestamped for reference. Please be sure to bookmark this page to stay informed of any adjustments to our plans.
Our health and safety plan is designed to create the best event experience possible, one where you can safely and effectively learn, network and do business. We hope the information below answers any questions you may have.
We cannot wait to welcome you to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center – and to NatCon22 – as we celebrate the return of in-person learning!
Jeannie Campbell
Executive Vice President
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Prepare your COVID-19 certification: To attend NatCon22, you must be able to present proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We will accept CDC and WHO-approved vaccines. You must complete your final vaccine by March 25, 2022, to be considered fully vaccinated for NatCon22.
NatCon22 is working with ShareMy.Health, a HIPAA- compliant platform that allows registrants to comply with the health and safety protocols for this conference to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants. All participants are required to use ShareMy.Health to provide proof of vaccination prior to arriving at the show. After you register, ShareMy.Health will be sending you an email with a personalized link to confirm your vaccination status.
Check your flight and travel arrangements: Be sure to check the COVID-19 requirements of your airline and the destination(s) from which you will be travelling. (See the travel links in the travel section below)
Don’t forget to bring your mask: Masks are highly encouranged in all NatCon22 spaces including exhibit hall, meeting rooms and public spaces, unless you are actively eating or drinking. Session presenters will be permitted to remove their mask while onstage speaking into the microphone.
Complete a self-assessment: We encourage you to conduct a COVID-19 self-assessment using the CDC’s COVID-19 Self-Checker. If you have any symptoms, please do not attend the event.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE (EXHIBITORS ONLY)
Check your booth access: Make sure there is a clearly defined entrance and sufficient space for participants to social distance.
Check your booth density: If social distancing is not possible at your booth, you must take every possible precaution to minimize the risk of aerosol transmission. You may include a meeting room at your booth, but care must be taken to ensure adequate air circulation. We will check expected capacities when approving your booth plans.
Check your catering: Open beverages should be distributed by a dedicated bartender. We advise serving individually wrapped food items where possible.
ARRIVING AT NATCON22
Include extra time: Please allow extra time for your arrival on the first day (we advise 30 minutes) and carefully follow our signage, which is designed to ease traffic flow.
Visit the registration booth: Please note that registration will be open at the following times:
o Saturday, April 9: 3 to 6 p.m. ET
o Sunday, April 10: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
o Monday, April 11: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET
o Tuesday, April 12: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
o Wednesday, April 13: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET
Show your COVID-19 certification: Be prepared to show your COVID-19 certification. Present your Health Pass (green check mark) by ShareMy.Health, on your phone to receive a NatCon22 wristband, which then allows you to print out your badge.
Wear your wristband: Once you have shown your vaccine certification, you will be issued a NatCon22 wristband allowing you to access the show floor and meeting spaces throughout the show. You will only be required to show your certification again in the event you require a new wristband. Participants who do not follow this process will not be permitted access to NatCon22 and refunds will not be issued in the event you are asked to leave for failing to comply with the protocols.
DURING NATCON22
Wear your mask: Masks are highly encouranged in all NatCon22 spaces including public spaces, exhibit hall and meeting rooms unless actively eating or drinking. Masks will be made available on site if you forget one.
Take the necessary precautions: Please comply with CDC COVID-19 health and safety guidelines throughout the event. Wash your hands often, use our sanitizer stations, cover your cough or sneeze in the nook of your elbow, and do not enter the event if you have symptoms.
Seek the Medical Station: If you start to feel unwell during the conference, please visit the Medical Station at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center for assistance.
Allowing for social distancing: To encourage social distancing, we are widening the aisles and education areas and adding more seating to reduce crowding and improve traffic flow. All meeting rooms will be set up to comply with local distancing and capacity guidelines. Exhibitors will also be taking every precaution at their booths to minimize crowding and transmission.
Ongoing monitoring: We will continually monitor health and safety measures throughout the conference to ensure compliance and safety.
Testing before domestic traveling: If you need a rapid/antigen test for your domestic flight home, visit our on-site Health Clinic. Rapid/antigen tests will be payable directly to ShareMy.Health. The Health Clinic is open Sunday, April 10, through Tuesday, April 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET and Wednesday, April 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Appointments are not required. Results are available within 30 minutes.
DURING NATCON22 (EXHIBITORS ONLY)
Keep your customers safe: Plan to provide hand sanitizers on your booth.
Keep your booth clean: Be sure to sanitize all meeting surfaces between appointments.
Designate a COVID-19 compliance officer: Someone who is responsible for monitoring health and safety measures at your booth, and for liaising with the NatCon22 team as necessary.
EXHIBITOR MOVE IN/MOVE OUT
The vaccination mandate does not apply to labor during move in/move out. However, only fully vaccinated people will be admitted to the exhibit hall after 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 10.
All NatCon22 official suppliers will be fully vaccinated.
CLEANING PROTOCOLS
Final inspections: Before we open the doors to kick things off, we will conduct final inspections to ensure the venue is safe, clean and ready for showtime.
Convention center information: The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is committed to these health and safety cleanliness standards.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ask us: If you have any questions about our health and safety plans, or how you can best prepare, please contact us at Conference@TheNationalCouncil.org.
On-site support: Speak to our staff at the Information Counters at the show.
Reminders: Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates.
TRAVEL & HOTEL SAFETY INFORMATION
RIDE SHARE SAFETY INFORMATION
MORE RESOURCES
