FAQ
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WHAT ARE THE DATES OF THE CONVENTION?
The convention will begin Sunday, December 26th at 10:30am and end at 11:00pm on Tuesday, December 28th
WHERE IS THE CONVENTION TAKING PLACE?
The convention will be held at the McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
WHAT IS THE KNOWLEDGE RETREAT AND WHEN IS IT?
The Knowledge Retreat is a two-day classroom style learning event that will be held prior to the convention on Friday, December 24th - Saturday, December 25th. Click here to learn more.
WHERE IS THE KNOWLEDGE RETREAT TAKING PLACE?
The Knowledge Retreat will be held at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
HOW CAN I ATTEND THE CONVENTION IF I don't live in illinois?
You can attend by purchasing tickets directly from our website or by purchasing tickets as groups by reaching out to groups@masicna.com.
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WHICH HOTEL SHOULD I BOOK WITH?
MASCON has partnered with three of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world: Hyatt®, Marriott®, and Hilton Triplex® to offer you reduced rates during your convention stay. With three hotels that are now connected to the 2.6 million square foot McCormick Place convention center, you can rest assured knowing you can remain indoors on your way to your favorite sessions. For booking information, click here.
How much is parking?
Pricing for parking can be found here.
DOES MASCON OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
Due to our generous sponsors, MASCON opens the door for anyone who cannot otherwise afford to participate in the convention to request financial assistance during a designated pre-registration period. Financial Assistance is now closed.
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REGARDING COVID-19 |
In light of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, is the convention going to still be in-person this year?
As of today, there is no Federal, State or Local Government restriction preventing us from having a physical convention. Please refer to our Health & Safety page for additional information here.
Am I required to be vaccinated to attend the convention?
No. However, in light of recent COVID-19 developments, MASCON requires all participants to pass a health screening. To be admitted to the convention, one of the following must be demonstrated:
A) Full vaccination for participants 5 years of age and older, B) A negative COVID-19 PCR Test result for a test performed 48-72 hours prior to your arrival, B) if you had COVID-19 within the last 90 days; show a POSITIVE COVID-19 Test Result taken not less than 14 days prior to your arrival, and not older than 90 days, OR C) Perform a FREE on-site COVID-19 Rapid Test for participant older than 2 years of age. Please refer to our Health & Safety page for additional information found here. Am I required to wear a mask?
Yes, face masks are required in all public, indoor spaces at McCormick Place and all contracted hotels. Attendees over age 2 years are required to wear a cloth or disposable mask that covers both their mouth and nose. Masks are required on all forms of public transportation throughout the city of Chicago—including city buses, trains, ride share and cabs.
- No exceptions will be made. Am I required to test prior to my arrival at the CONVENTION site?
For all non-vaccinated participants, a PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival is required.
If you have symptoms right before you travel to the convention site, please refrain from coming. FREE on-site COVID-19 rapid testing will be available on-site. Will there be on-site testing during the CONVENTION?
One of our vendors is providing FREE convenient onsite rapid antigen tests, rapid molecular tests and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19.
FREE on-site testing at McCormick Place will be available December 26-28 from 8 AM to 10 PM, located on Level 4 Hall A. No appointment is necessary to perform the test. Attendees may walk in to the testing area for Rapid and PCR Testing. Additional testing sites are available throughout Chicago. Explore the complete list of COVID-19 testing sites in the Chicago area here. What should I do if I experience COVID-19 symptoms?
Anyone who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others, not enter McCormick Place, be clinically evaluated and tested for COVID-19.
In the event an MASCON participant falls ill with COVID-19, MASCON will adhere to local, state and federal guidelines and will coordinate with Chicago Public Health authorities to ensure the proper steps are taken and protocols are followed for positive test results. What do I do if I suspect COVID-19 exposure before convention start date?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, or have reason to believe you currently have COVID-19, you should not attend MASCON — including if these conditions emerge while you are in Chicago.
If you have reason to believe you have recently been exposed to COVID-19, please consult with your physician to determine appropriate next steps. MASCON encourages all individuals to follow applicable guidance from their care providers and relevant public health authorities. MASCON is working to provide a safe meeting and trusts that attendees, exhibitors and guest speakers and staff will do the same. What are the protocols for on-site positive test results?
If an individual tests positive, our vendor will notify the individual and work to triage impacted individuals and provide appropriate care escalation and support.
The risk that fully vaccinated people could become infected with COVID-19 is low. Any fully vaccinated person who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19 and tested for SARS-CoV-2 if indicated. In the event a MASCON staff or otherwise falls ill with COVID-19, MASCON adheres to local, state and federal guidelines and will coordinate with Chicago Public Health authorities to ensure the proper steps are taken and protocols are followed for positive test results. Additionally, participants may obtain tests at other off-site testing locations. Test results are personal health information and individual test results will be handled by each testing organization conducting testing, in compliance with their respective protocols. Tests results may be shared with local health authorities, in compliance with local health department protocols and reporting requirements. Each individual should consult their testing provider to understand the relevant results processing and how to obtain his or her results. Personal test results (or other personal health information) will not be shared directly with MASCON. MASCON will comply with any notification protocols recommended by local health department authorities if we become aware that any attendee has tested positive for COVID-19. |