ATS 2022 Conference News Preview - 29

CONFERENCE PREVIEW EDITION | 29
Masks and Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Required at ATS 2022
H
ealth and safety protocols
related to COVID-19 at the
ATS 2022 International
Conference will include
wearing face masks while at conference
venues and proof of full
vaccination against COVID-19 for all
participants.
" We are confident our protocols
will help ensure everyone's
safety so they can truly enjoy the
conference, " said International
Conference Committee Chair
Andrew J. Halayko, PhD, ATSF, in a
video on the conference website,
conference.thoracic.org, explaining
the health and safety strategy.
ATS 2022 is the first International
Conference the Society has held in
person since 2019.
" We know how much our community
has been longing to reconnect
in person, " said ATS President Lynn
M. Schnapp, MD, ATSF, in the video.
" At the same time, we are very
aware that the health and safety of
our attendees, exhibitors, vendors,
and staff is of paramount importance
during the time of COVID. "
Proof of up-to-date COVID-19
vaccination status includes documentation
of having received a
booster shot by May 6, one week
before the start of the conference.
No medical or religious exemptions
will be granted.
Following registration, conference
participants will receive an SMS
text message from HealthShield
asking for proof of vaccination
with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized
for emergency use by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
or the World Health Organization.
HealthShield also will provide a
link to securely upload photos of
GO GREEN WITH ATS
T
he ATS's efforts to minimize
the carbon footprint
of the International
Conference will be evident
in what is and isn't present at ATS
2022 in San Francisco.
With increased mindfulness
among the Executive Committee
and Board of Directors about
sustainability, there also has been
a shift in the quantity and materials
used for printed resources
related to the conference. The
final program will be available
as a PDF instead of a physical
book. The Exhibitor Guide will be
available only in a digital format
as well, on the conference website
and through the conference
app. Featured Industry Programs
listings also are available on the
ATS Conference News website,
ATSConferenceNews.org.
Recyclable ink is being used for
the printed resources that are
distributed onsite.
Instead of making individual, sinHydration
Stations
gle-use bottles of water available to
participants, the ATS will distribute
complimentary reusable water bottles
near registration, and attendees
can refill their water bottles at
Hydration Stations throughout the
convention center, with support
from Regeneron/Sanofi, significantly
reducing onsite plastic consumption.
Each Hydration Station will be
easily identifiable by water dropshaped
signage.
The health and safety
of our attendees, of
our staff, and of our
vendors and their
staff are of paramount
importance. We are
confident that we can
provide a conference
that is stimulating
and exciting as well
as safe. "
- Karen J. Collishaw, MPP, CAE
ATS Chief Executive Officer
the registrant's vaccination card
for validation. Upon arrival at the
conference, participants will need
to present this validation to the
security checkpoint before checking
in at registration.
Complete instructions for vaccination
verification are available on
the conference website.
Hand sanitizer stations will be
available throughout the Moscone
Center, headquarter hotels, and
other venues with conference-related
activities.
" The health and safety of our
attendees, of our staff, and of
our vendors and their staff are
of paramount importance, " said
ATS Chief Executive Officer Karen
J. Collishaw, MPP, CAE. " We are
confident that we can provide a
conference that is stimulating and
exciting, as well as safe. "
Health and safety policies for
ATS 2022 are subject to change
based on revised guidelines
from the host state and city, the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, and the World Health
Organization, as well as industry
best practices. The Health and
Safety section of the conference
website is regularly updated with
Proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination status to
attend the ATS 2022 International Conference includes
documentation of having received a booster shot by
May 6, one week before the start of the conference.
the latest information regarding
COVID-19 protocols for ATS 2022.
" We've been to San Francisco
many times, so we have a longstanding,
good working relationship
with the city and Convention and
Visitors Bureau officials that has
only gotten stronger during COVID
because there has been more
conversation with the various
officials, " Ms. Collishaw said. " We'll
all be coordinating very carefully
with each other. "
The Moscone Center received
Global Biorisk Advisory Council
STAR accreditation in 2021. This
designation recognizes the
center's cleaning, disinfection,
and infectious disease prevention
practices.
The Moscone Center boasts its own sustainability initiatives.
Hotel drop bags with ATS and
corporate literature will not be
distributed this year. Conference
attendees are encouraged to visit
the Exhibit Hall to engage directly
with exhibitors and ATS staff.
Many exhibitors will contribute
to the environmentally-friendly
atmosphere by using Forest
Sustainable Certified wood
to construct their Exhibit Hall
booths, as well as carpet and
padding made from 100 percent
recycled material.
This year's conference venue
boasts its own sustainability
initiatives. The Moscone Center is
part of ASM Global's VenueShield
Environmental Hygiene program,
focused on custom health and
safety solutions. Additionally,
Moscone North and Moscone
South have achieved platinum
certification for Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design,
the highest level given by the U.S.
Green Building Council. Among the
features that contribute to this
rating are rooftop solar panels
that generate 19.4 percent of the
building's energy needs, zeroemissions
electricity, and daylight
harvesting to offset electrical
lighting.
http://conference.thoracic.org http://ATSConferenceNews.org
ATS 2022 Conference News Preview

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ATS 2022 Conference News Preview
