Your wellbeing is IDA’s #1 priority. Here is what we’re doing to protect your health and peace-of-mind so you can enjoy IDAExpo^TM.

What you can expect from IDAExpo

Temperature Checks
Temperature checks will be conducted before entering any officially scheduled event. Anyone with an elevated temperature or fever will not be allowed into the event.

Face Coverings
Masks or facial coverings will be required for entry to all events for all attendees and staff. Please come prepared with your own or IDA will provide one for you at entry. KN95 masks are recommended and are almost identical in performance to the N95 mask used by hospital employees. 

Sanitizing
Touchless hand sanitizers will be available throughout the events and exhibit hall. All public surfaces in high-traffic areas will be sanitized every two hours by cleaning staff. All restrooms will be disinfected on an hourly basis. 

Staff Health Screenings & Protocols
IDAExpo staff will undergo daily health screenings which includes a daily temperature check. Any IDAExpo staff member who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 or has a temperature over 100.4 degrees will be asked to return home immediately. All Expo staff members who clear the daily health screening will be required to wear a sticker to indicate they passed the health screening. A new sticker will be provided for each new workday. 

Expo staff members are required to stay home if they are not feeling well or exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19. Anyone who appears to be sick will be sent home. Expo staff will also be required to wear a face mask while interacting with attendees.

FastTrack Registration
IDAExpo will be implementing FastTrack attendee facing scanners for quick badge production/pick up by scanning your confirmation or FastTrack QR code. You will be able to access your own badge without IDAExpo staff contact. 

For those who still need to see an Expo staff person for check-in, registration counters will be set six feet apart to allow for additional space between attendees. There will also be Plexiglas partitions between attendees and Expo staff.

Social Distancing
In order to encourage and allow for proper social distancing in the exhibit hall, high-foot traffic areas will be designated as one-way passages and will include wider aisles whenever possible. This will keep attendees from bumping into each other or crowding in certain areas on the trade show floor. 

Physical distancing indicators will be placed on the ground at key waiting areas. Space capacities of high-traffic areas will be redefined to allow for proper social distancing. Where practice, doors will be placed open to limit touch. 

Education sessions will be set up to allow for six feet between chairs. Food and beverage (F&B) will be provided in a no-contact way with individual sized servings, rolled silverware, and no self-serve buffets. There will be server staff with proper protective gear attending to all coffee stations and food service areas. 

What you can expect from New Orleans

New Orleans was one of the first cities to proactively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are continuing to lead the way in preparedness and safety and ready to welcome you back. For more information on the steps the city is taking please click here.

Creating a healthy and safe environment for all attendees at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention center is also of the utmost importance and concern. You can read more on what the convention center is doing to respond to COVID-19 here.

The hotels have additional protocols as well:

• Hilton Riverside (Host Hotel): Hilton Clean StayAttendee Experience
• Omni Riverfront: Omni Hotels Safe and Clean Program
• Hilton Garden Inn: Hilton Clean Stay

What we expect of you

We also need your help to ensure this is a safe and successful event. Help us prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect you and those around you from getting infected.

• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with someone who has 14 days prior to the event, please do not attend.
• Stay home if you are not feeling well.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
• If at any time you are feeling unwell or experience flu-like symptoms please exit the event and visit the First Aid office or an urgent care facility.
• If you test positive for COVID-19 up to 14 days after returning home, please contact IDAExpo staff.

Learn more on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by visiting the CDC website here.