HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATES

 POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At ALTA, community is our priority, and our goal is to create a safe and positive ALTA conference in Milwaukee this fall by reducing health risks and acting out of care for ourselves and others. Making the conference more accessible to disabled and immunocompromised participants helps keep all of us safer and healthier. We ask that you join us by upholding the guidelines below, which were endorsed by ALTA’s Board of Directors on January 22, 2024. 

We recognize that guidelines around COVID-19 may change as the public health situation fluctuates. Please check back for updates.

Recent Health and Safety Updates

City of Milwaukee Health Department

Policies and Recommendations

Masks: Masks will be required when attendees are in the audience during ALTA events in the hotel (that is, when you are an audience member during panels, workshops, readings, the keynote address, etc.). Panelists and readers may choose to unmask when speaking only. Exceptions may be made if a participant cannot wear a mask due to sensory or medical issues. In public indoor hotel spaces, masks are strongly encouraged. ALTA will also endeavor to designate spaces for those who prefer to mask during indoor social times (such as receptions and coffee breaks). ALTA will make masks available for attendee use. Thank you for wearing your mask to make the conference accessible to everyone in our community. 

Travel to Milwaukee: We ask that everyone do what they can to keep our community safe by testing before traveling to Milwaukee, if possible, and recommend masking (with a medical-grade surgical, KN95, or N95 mask) in indoor areas and enclosed spaces while in transit. 

Self-Wellness Assessment: All attendees are asked to self-assess for COVID-related symptoms before attending ALTA events and, if possible, to self-test. Attendees should stay home or stay in their hotel room in Milwaukee if they have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if they have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you aren’t feeling well or aren’t sure, please stay home or in your room. 

Vaccination: ALTA strongly recommends all attendees be vaccinated against COVID-19 and boosted as recommended. At this time, per national and regional guidelines for large gatherings, proof of vaccination is encouraged but not required.

Additional Information

Acknowledgment of Risk: By registering for and/or attending any portion of ALTA47, attendees acknowledge all of the risks associated with the contagious and evolving nature of COVID-19, and accept sole responsibility for any expense, liability, illness, injury, harm, or loss related to contracting the virus while traveling to/from and attending ALTA events. Attendees agree to release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless ALTA’s staff, Board, volunteers, contractors, partners, participants, and representatives from all claims of any kind arising out of COVID-19 or any other illness. 

Partner Venues: Please note that any events or programming taking place in venues outside the Hyatt Regency will be subject to the partner venue’s current COVID policy.

Hotel Protocols and Practices: You can read the Hyatt’s safety and cleanliness protocols on their website. These include: sanitizer stations prominently placed throughout hotels, more frequent cleaning of public spaces and guest room surfaces, and enhanced food safety and hygiene protocols.

Refunds: Conference registration sales are final and nonrefundable, and may not be transferred to another individual. If you are unsure of whether you would like to attend the conference, we encourage you to wait to purchase in case your plans change. Registration rates and deadlines can be found here.