Updated 10/21/2021
FBC and AFCEA Belvoir are fully committed to holding a safe and engaging AFCEA Belvoir Industry Days at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, MD on November 3-5, 2021. The health of all our participants (staff, attendees, vendors, and sponsors) and the larger community will remain a top priority. Our COVID-19 Safety Plan is a living document that will evolve as we follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and work closely with the Gaylord to create a safer experience for participants.
Personal Accountability Commitment
All participants will have a shared responsibility to make the event a safer environment for everyone in attendance. By attending the 2021 AFCEA Belvoir Industry Days ’s 2021, you agree to abide by and engage in conduct that is beneficial to health and safety. This includes, but is not limited to:
- not attending the event if you feel ill or have been recently exposed to COVID-19.
- not attending if you have not been vaccinated.
- complying with local, state and venue regulations.
- engaging in appropriate physical distancing.
- ability to show proof of full vaccination status upon arrival to the event (full vaccination means you must have received the second dose)
Venue
As part of Marriott International's family of brands, the Gaylord Hotels have implemented new protocols and elevated practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their multi-pronged approach and protocols are in keeping with Gaylord Hotels high standards of cleanliness, safety, and commitment to providing excellent service.
The venue will increase cleaning and disinfection in all public spaces with an emphasis on high contact surfaces and traffic areas. Additional venue information available here: https://gaylordhotelsclean.marriott.com/ and https://clean.marriott.com/.
Face Coverings
- All event participants (staff, vendors, attendees, exhibitors, volunteers, and guests) are required to wear facial coverings when indoors or outdoors at all conference facilities during conference activities, other than when actively eating or drinking or when on-stage speaking.
- All conference participants are strongly encouraged to wear a facial covering at all times when in a crowded setting during non-conference hours.
- Please bring your own facial covering. A limited supply will be available onsite; inquire at registration.
Vaccinations
Proof of full vaccination will be required to attend any portion of the event. In consultation with our DoD partners and given the recent trends in COVID-19 transmission levels in the region, only vaccinated participants may attend in-person. Each attendee must pick up their own badge—badges will not be distributed without proof of vaccination.
Registration Badges
- Please register in advance online. We strongly discourage on-site registration to support physical distancing and to avoid creating lines. Online registration will remain open throughout the event. If you are unsure of advance plans, register online when you decide, before arriving at the Gaylord.
- Participants must show proof of vaccination on-site during the normal badge pick-up process. Please have a government-issued photo ID and physical copy of your vaccine card ready. A picture on your mobile device or proof of vaccination via an app are also acceptable.
- A full-service registration area will be available and located away from the badge pickup stations, where attendees can make needed registration changes such as badge updates.
On-Site Medical
All Gaylord Hotels have certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and/or a Registered Nurse (RN) on-site that will be able to assist conference participants as needed. The hotel will direct guests toward appropriate medical care and will then conduct additional cleaning and disinfecting protocols of all areas that a guest may have been in during their visit.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer will be available to conference participants.
Exhibit Hall
- FBC will increase the number of aisles in the exhibit hall, as feasible, to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow between booths to accommodate physical distancing.
- Hand sanitizer will be available.
- The exhibit hall will undergo a nightly cleaning.
Exhibitor Best Practices and Readiness
FBC will provide best practices for exhibitors on how to maintain adequate physical distancing in their booths. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Requiring facial coverings by all booth personnel while indoors per current CDC and venue guidance.
- Using open booth designs or creating a restricted area to limit groups congregating in one area.
- Planning booth traffic patterns to allow for open entry and exit points.
- Cleaning high-touch surfaces multiple times throughout the day.
- Utilizing floor marking or seating to encourage adequate physical distancing.
- Providing hand sanitizer for booth personnel and attendees.
- If serving food, working with the Gaylord to ensure proper food safety.
National Harbor
You can learn more about the National Harbor health and safety procedures here.
Maryland
Current State of Maryland COVID guidelines
CDC
FAQs
Will FBC require negative COVID-19 tests from attendees, exhibitor personnel and staff?
No, the CDC does not recommend testing all attendees and staff before allowing them to enter. Testing all event attendees and staff for COVID-19 before allowing them to enter the venue has not been systematically studied. It is unknown if entry testing at event venues provides any additional reduction in person-to-person transmission of the virus beyond what would be expected with other preventive measures (such as physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings, hand washing, enhanced cleaning and disinfection).
Will FBC conduct temperature screening of attendees, exhibitor personnel and staff?
No, FBC will not conduct daily temperature screens. The CDC recommends conducting self-health checks for symptoms daily, and in accordance with any applicable privacy laws and regulations. The COVID-19 Symptom List will be included in event communications and posted on event signage. Attendees, exhibitor personnel and staff are asked to stay home, or in their hotel room, if they do not feel well or have any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. More details about symptoms of coronavirus can be found at Symptoms of Coronavirus | CDC.
CDC Self Checker widget
COVID-19 Warning
FBC has taken enhanced health and safety measures and require all persons to follow posted instructions while attending the 2021 AFCEA Belvoir Industry Days. You must agree to abide by all FBC and venue safety protocols, follow applicable safety precautions.
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.
By attending the 2021 AFCEA Belvoir Industry Days you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
Please do your part to help keep each other healthy.