Updated June 2, 2022.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, The UW Center for Cooperatives and host co-op Sioux Falls Food Co-op consider the health and safety of all who attend the CCMA 2022 including our attendees, staff, partners, exhibitors, and on-site vendors/service providers as our top priority. We are committed to facilitating optimal health and safety conditions throughout our event as described below.
Updates:
Vaccines – Conference organizers strongly encourage all attendees who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 booster if they haven’t already. The Sioux Falls Food Co-op is lifting the requirement for conference attendees to show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test to attend the conference.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnehaha County in South Dakota currently has a community spread level of LOW. CDC prevention steps for Low Community Level include staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if you are having any symptoms. However, attendees travel from around the country to attend and may be traveling from an area with medium or high community spread.
Masking Policy – CDC guidance for wearing a mask is now based upon your COVID-19 Community Level. Per the CDC website, “COVID-19 Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 based on the COVID-19 Community Level in your area.” When a community is at the low or medium level, people may choose to wear a mask, but they’re not required to do so. In a community at the high level, people should wear a mask indoors. Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County currently have a low community level, but we will keep attendees apprised of any changes. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask regardless of community level.
Knowing that attendees are traveling from across the country and from areas that may have medium or high levels of community spread, attendees are encouraged to wear masks at the conference.
CCMA organizers will have masks (N95s and KN95s) onsite for attendees who wish to use one.
These recommendations will be updated as the CDC continues to assess conditions on an ongoing basis. CCMA organizers will closely monitor policies and regulations when establishing health and safety requirements for CCMA 2022.
NOTE: These policies and protocols are subject to change and all registered attendees will be required to follow protocols as they are finalized before or during the conference.
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Do I need to be vaccinated to attend CCMA 2022?
Conference organizers strongly encourage all attendees who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 booster if they haven’t already. The Sioux Falls Food Co-op is lifting the requirement for conference attendees to show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test to attend the conference. Conference organizers strongly encourage all attendees who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 booster if they haven’t already.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnehaha County in South Dakota currently has a community spread level of LOW. CDC prevention steps for Low Community Level include staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if you are having any symptoms.
Where can I get vaccinated?
Text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find vaccine locations near you in the United States.
Will I have to wear a mask at CCMA 2022?
CDC guidance for wearing a mask is now based upon your COVID-19 Community Level. Per the CDC website, “COVID-19 Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 based on the COVID-19 Community Level in your area.” When a community is at the low or medium level, people may choose to wear a mask, but they’re not required to do so. In a community at the high level, people should wear a mask indoors. Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County currently have a low community level, but we will keep attendees apprised of any changes. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask regardless of community level.
These recommendations will be updated as the CDC continues to assess conditions on an ongoing basis. CCMA organizers will closely monitor policies and regulations when establishing health and safety requirements for CCMA 2022.
CCMA organizers will have masks onsite for attendees who wish to use one.
Will masks be required during co-op tours?
Masking will be a personal preference for CCMA attendees on the co-op tours. We ask that you respect the masking requirements for tour stops. We will make sure that tour attendees know if there is a masking requirement at any of the stops on the tour prior to leaving the hotel.
How will meals be different than in previous years?
To facilitate social distancing during meals we will reduce the number of chairs at each table inside the main hall, offer outdoor seating, and provide to-go boxes. There will be a modified approach to buffets based on COVID safety policies.
What other measures will you be implementing at the conference to reduce the spread of COVID-19?
- The conference hotel will be at limited capacity (70%) to enable social distancing.
- Outdoor seating space will be available for breaks, meals, and networking
- UWCC will have masks (KN95 and N95) onsite for attendees who wish to use one.
- Spaces within the hotel will be deep cleaned at night and hand sanitizer will be available in all meeting spaces.
- The conference hotel will reduce contact at check in and check out through touchless transactions, front desk screens, sanitizer stations, sanitized keycards, and paperless check-out.
- Increased ventilation through windows and doors when possible.
Can I get a refund on lodging if I become ill with COVID-19?
The Holiday Inn City Center handles all lodging refund requests. Their policy states that they must receive cancellation 48 hours prior to arrival date. Rooms cancelled within 48 hours of arrival will incur a cancellation fee.
Will you be holding a virtual conference?
Yes, please see details on our Virtual CCMA Conference and the Virtual Agenda.
What happens if Covid cases rise? Will you have to go online? Conversely, what happens if the pandemic eases? Will you release your restrictions?
We will continue to monitor the pandemic, state and county laws, and communicate with public health officials about the appropriate measures. Any changes will be communicated to our community and registered attendees as soon as possible.
How do I best protect myself while at the conference?
Maintain a healthy distance when possible. Wear your mask except while eating or drinking or in your sleeping room. Get tested to make sure you’re not spreading the virus to others. If everyone does so, we will protect each other. Please wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitizer frequently.
What should I do if I feel sick?
If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, please stay home and follow the steps here to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.
What risk do I assume by attending CCMA 2022 in person?
While the conference organizers are taking these measures to minimize risk, we will be relying on participants and their travel groups to behave responsibly. As such, conference organizers cannot guarantee the safety of participants, and participants should understand that they are assuming risk by attending CCMA 2022. Participants who repeatedly or egregiously violate the conference’s safety protocols will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund.