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The NACBS will gather for its annual conference in Atlanta. Many of you have told us you are excited to meet in person. We encourage you to register soon. Others have expressed reasonable concerns about the persistent pandemic. Some of our members live in places where policies of the United States or other governments may make travel difficult, though we are heartened by news that the United States will allow entry, without restriction, to fully vaccinated UK and European nationals from the start of November.

We have been following these and other factors closely and will continue to do so. What follows is a brief description of the policies we will have in place during our meeting and answers to some frequently asked questions about why and how we are gathering in person this year.

The city of Atlanta currently has an indoor mask mandate in place (https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/52010). We will require everyone to wear a mask at all times indoors, except while eating or drinking. In accordance with AHA policy, we will also require all attendees to affirm they are vaccinated against Covid-19 and we will ask everyone to produce photo or paper verification of vaccination status upon request. We anticipate no change to this policy unless the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the City of Atlanta issue new guidance. Staff of the Sheraton Atlanta hotel will wear masks at all times. We have asked that only vaccinated staff work in spaces that we use.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why not just have a remote conference, like we did in 2020?

Hotel and other venue contracts for a conference are typically signed over two years in advance. These contracts include force majeur clauses that impose serious financial penalties if we cancel an event absent serious external circumstances. In 2020, then current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control enabled us to postpone our contracts in Chicago until 2022 without penalty. Absent the kind of clear guidance from the federal government that effectively barred large meetings in 2020, we will not be able to withdraw from our 2021 conference without doing serious damage to the financial health of the NACBS and its programs.

Can I present at or attend the Atlanta conference remotely?

Unfortunately, costs for equipment and tech support prevent us from running a full in-person conference that is simultaneously fully accessible from afar. Many of our members, especially younger ones, depend on the opportunities that in-person events provide to meet other members of the profession.

Will there be any events for NACBS members who can’t come to Atlanta?

Yes. We plan to live-stream our two plenary sessions, at which we will hear from Krista Kesselring and Priya Satia. We will also host four remotely accessible sessions for all members on the two Saturdays before the meeting in Atlanta (October 30 and November 6). More information about these events will be coming soon.

What about meals and receptions?

We are cancelling the buffet luncheons before our plenary events so as to minimize the risk of Covid transmission from dining together in a large group. Our plenary events will be held after lunches rather than during them. Our reception for graduate students on Thursday and our Friday reception will be held at an outdoor venue. Our Saturday reception will be in a large museum space, suitable for spreading out.

Will I receive a refund of my registration fee if unforeseen events require a late cancellation of the in-person event or I am unable to attend because I contracted Covid-19?

In such an event, all registrations for the in-person conference will be transferred to the online event. Refunds will be given for payments made for luncheons. If you registered and are then unable to attend because you contracted Covid-19, please contact our Executive Director, Laura Beers, to arrange for a refund of your registration.

Will I receive a refund if I cancel my hotel reservation?

Hotel registration may be cancelled for a full refund up to three days before arrival. A fee equal to one night's room and tax will be assessed if you cancel after this deadline.