COVID-19 SAFETY & SHOW POLICIES

The health and safety of all visitors to SHRM conferences remains our top priority. We are closely monitoring government mandates and policy changes and local and venue guidelines along with public health announcements. As information pertaining to the virus continues to develop, we will adjust our approach as needed and keep you up to date with new developments to ensure a coordinated effort and a safe environment for all SHRM conference attendees.

COVID-19 Vaccinations
SHRM Conferences in 2022 will continue to follow state, local and venue requirements, including requirements to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. As information pertaining to COVID-19 requirements is ever evolving, we will continue to update as needed based on state, local and venue requirements.

SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2022 is being held in New Orleans, Louisiana, where as of March 21, 2022 authorities do not require proof of vaccination to enter indoor venues.

Face Coverings
We will continue to follow state and local guidelines.

In New Orleans, Louisiana, as of March 3, 2022, face masks are not required while in most public indoor settings. At the SHRM Annual Conference and Expo, face masks will be optional and individuals will be able to wear a mask if they choose.

Face masks continue to be required for people ages 2 and older on all public transportation, including the Metro, buses, taxis and ride share services.

Hand Sanitizer Stations
We will have hand washing facilities and/or sanitizing systems easily accessible to everyone throughout the event.

No Contact Policy
To assist in minimizing potential physical contact, elbow bumps are a great alternative to handshakes.

Health and Safety Signage
Signage will be placed to remind all attendees to social distance and frequently wash and sanitize their hands.

Screening
Conference attendees, exhibitors, vendors, and speakers will be required to participate in a wellness check before they receive their event badge. Everyone will be asked the following questions before they will receive their badge and gain entry into the conference:

In the past 24 hours, have you experienced COVID-19 symptoms?
Have you or people whom you have close contact with, like someone who lives in your house, a relative, a friend, or a co-worker:

• Tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days OR
• Had any COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days?

Enhanced Cleaning
The SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2022 is being held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. At the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (the Convention Center), facility management continually reviews cleaning processes and refines practices for the continued safety and protection of every guest. The leadership team at the Convention Center contracted with an Industrial Hygienist to review the cleaning standards of care. These new protocols are in place and will continue to be evaluated and adjusted as new information becomes available.

The Convention Center has achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities.

For information on hotel policies, please contact the hotel you will stay in during your attendance at the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2022.

Show Policies

By registering and attending SHRM conferences, you consent to the following policies:

Audio/Visual Policy

• Photography and/or recording (including audio and video) during the SHRM Conference is allowed for personal and private use only.
• Photos and/or recordings cannot be copied, altered, sold, exhibited, or further distributed without SHRM’s prior written consent.
• Photos and/or recordings are the exclusive property of SHRM. SHRM retains the right to revoke consent.
• No disruptions due to photography and/or recording shall be allowed, and violators may lose attendance privileges.

COVID-19 Policies

• SHRM will strictly follow COVID-19 safety procedures as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, along with any other governing Federal or local government agency overseeing the venue site.
• During your attendance at SHRM Conferences, you will be required to support our COVID-19 Safety Measures, and strictly follow our COVID-19 policies and procedures. These COVID-19 policies and procedures may include but are not limited to personal sanitization, mandatory face covering, and social distancing. These policies and procedures may be modified at any time in advance of or during SHRM Conferences.

Waiver of Lawsuit/Release of Liability:
COVID-19 WARNING, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION FOR ATTENDING THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES (SHRM) ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO 2022 IN NEW ORLEANS, LA.

• WARNING RELATED TO COVID-19 INFECTION
  • The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic and is very contagious.
  • COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death.
  • SHRM has taken and will continue to take all reasonable precautions to prevent against the presence and spread of the disease but cannot and does not guarantee against exposure; and therefore, in choosing to attend SHRM Conferences you acknowledge that you are assuming a risk that you may be exposing yourself to COVID-19 and its potential health risks.
• ASSUMPTION OF RISK
  • I have read and understand the above warning concerning COVID-19. I acknowledge that attending a SHRM Conference is of value to me and that I accept the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 in order to attend. Therefore, I choose to accept the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and I agree that I am personally responsible for my safety and actions while attending SHRM Conferences.
• WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/ RELEASE OF LIABILITY
  • I, for myself, my family, successors, and assigns hereby forever release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue SHRM, its board of directors, board members, officers, agents, servants, affiliates, employees, successors, and assigns (collectively the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever, directly or indirectly arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me related to COVID-19 while participating in any activity associated with SHRM Conferences.
• INDEMNIFICATION
  • I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, claims, lawsuits, judgments, losses, and/or liabilities (including attorney fees) arising either directly or indirectly from or related to any and all claims made by or against any of the Released Parties due to bodily injury, death, loss of use, monetary loss, or any other injury from or related to my attendance at SHRM Conferences specifically related to COVID-19.

Refund Policy

• All cancellations must be submitted in writing via our Conference Transfers and Cancellation Form.
• Confirmed registrants may cancel and receive a full refund minus a $250 cancellation fee until October 30, 2021. Cancellations received from November 1, 2021 through April 15, 2022 will be refunded fifty percent (50%) of the registration fee. Cancellations after April 15, 2022 are nonrefundable.