Health and Safety is FICP’s number one priority.

FICP will adhere to local and federal regulations as well as CDC guidelines to the best of our ability, following the guidelines and recommendations that are the most rigorous.

For public health and safety reasons, everyone attending the 2021 FICP Strategic Leaders Event will agree to comply with all health, safety and distancing guidelines.

Are COVID-19 vaccines required?

Yes, all in-person meetings professionals, hospitality partners, sponsors, any guests or VIPs, and FICP staff – regardless of your registration date – must have completed the vaccination for COVID-19 no later than two weeks prior to arrival, according to the protocols recommended by the CDC and other medical professionals.

Learn more from the CDC about the approved COVID-19 vaccinations.

How do attendees provide proof of vaccination?

If you attended the Annual Conference and submitted proof of vaccination through the CLEAR mobile app, there is no additional action for you. If you did not attend the Annual Conference, you will be required to show your vaccination card and government-issued ID at the registration desk prior to receiving your badge.

Will exemptions from the vaccine requirement be allowed?

If a health or religious reason required an exemption from being vaccinated, attendees were required to request an exemption. Requests were due on November 22, 2021. Attendees who are granted an exemption will be required to provide negative PCR test results taken within 72 hours of arriving to the event.

Are masks required?

Yes, masks are required for indoor functions (unless eating or drinking), for all attendees. This is based on the latest CDC guidelines for the Chicago area. Please note that all information, policies and protocols are subject to change at any time, should the situation evolve.

What do I do if I feel ill or become symptomatic onsite?

Should an attendee feel ill, they should consult with their doctor and/or a local doctor.

If you feel any of the following symptoms prior to travel, we ask that you do not come to the Strategic Leaders Event: 

• Fever or 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
• Diarrhea

Will FICP do daily temperature checks or health screenings?

No, FICP is not administering daily temperature checks or health screenings. Attendees are asked to monitor their own symptoms.

What do I do if I test positive while onsite?

If you test positive while onsite or within 7 days following our event, please let FICP know by sending an email to info@ficpnet.com.

FICP will let attendees know that somebody tested positive, but will not share name(s) or personally identifiable information.

What if I discover I’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?

If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, you may be asked to leave the event and/or provide a negative PCR test result.

The CDC defines close contact as “Someone who was less than 6 feet away from infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).”

Will FICP provide COVID-19 testing?

FICP is not providing COVID-19 testing.

Will FICP provide testing for attendees that require a negative test to return to their home country?

No, attendees who require a negative test to travel home will need to arrange for their own testing.

Will FICP provide testing for attendees that are interested in testing prior to returning home?

No, FICP will not be providing testing for attendees, whether required for travel or by choice.

Will FICP let attendees know if someone tests positive while onsite?

If an attendee tests positive while onsite and reports it to FICP, FICP will let attendees know that there has been a positive test. However, we will not provide specific details or technology-enabled contact tracing information.

Will FICP let attendees know if someone tests positive after leaving the event?

If an attendee tests positive within 7 days after the event and reports it to FICP, FICP will let attendees know that there has been a positive test via email. However, we will not provide specific details or technology-enabled contact tracing information.

Is FICP doing contact tracing?

FICP is not doing any technology-enabled contact tracing. If an attendee reports a positive test onsite or post-event, FICP will ask that person if they had close contact with anyone. The CDC defines close contact as “Someone who was less than 6 feet away from infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).”

If the infected attendee identifies who they were in close contact with, FICP will notify those individuals that they may have been in close contact with someone that tested positive for COVID-19. FICP will not give out any personal information. FICP may partner with the local health authority to manage notification of contact.

Those identified as potentially in close contact of the attendee who tested positive may be asked to leave the conference and/or take a COVID-19 test.

In what other ways is FICP supporting the health and safety of all attendees, and are there any additional recommendations or requirements for attendees to follow while onsite?

FICP will have extra masks and hand sanitizer onsite. Attendees are encouraged to wash their hands and/or use sanitizer frequently.

Socially distant seating will be an option in all situations.

FICP understands that many attendees may be connecting prior to or after the event. We encourage responsible actions in all these events.