As promised, we have been closely monitoring national, regional, state and local level data, and talking to as many health, government and meeting professionals as possible.

As a result, we have updated the COVID-19 Policy for All Things Open 2021.

In short, there have been three (3) primary updates:

We have included the complete COVID-19 Policy below, and you can see the same information on the stand-alone COVID-19 Policy page here. 

Contact us with questions  or comments at [email protected]. 

COVID-19 Policy

Safety Is A Top Concern

We continue to take measures to ensure ATO 2021 is as safe as possible for all participants

*This page will be updated leading up to the event and as additional data and information becomes available. Please check back regularly. Last updated – Tuesday, August 24

Monitoring Will Continue

We’ve monitored COVID-related news and data since the pandemic started, and we will continue to do so moving forward. International, national, regional and local sources are closely watched and will result in a change of policy if warranted.

Face Coverings Will Be Required

Based on recent data available from the CDC and numerous research studies face coverings will be required of everyone (regardless of vaccine status) inside the conference venue.

A face covering is defined as any cloth material used to cover the nose and mouth that remains affixed in place While we strongly suggest a KN95 mask, a face covering is defined as any cloth material used to cover the nose and mouth that remains affixed in place without the use of one’s hands. Face coverings should completely cover the mouth and nose and fit snugly against the sides of the face. Attendees may provide their own face covering, or use a face covering provided by ATO. Alternates to face coverings such as face shields, loose gaiters/bandannas, and face coverings with ventilation will not be allowed.

Face coverings may be removed in meal areas while eating and drinking.

*Free masks will be made available at the conference beginning Sunday, October 17 and will be available throughout the conference.

Wellness Screening Required Upon Entry (includes temperature)

Before entering the conference area all attendees will be required to undergo a wellness screening, which will include digital temperature checks, a quick series of health-related questions, and wrist banding for those passing the check.

If an attendee’s temperature is less than 100.3°F and he/she passes the questionnaire, a color-coded wristband will be given in order to proceed to event registration for additional credentials. If an attendee’s temperature exceeds 100.3°F or he/she does not pass the questionnaire, they will be directed to an isolated
holding area for additional screening.

Vaccination / Proof of Negative Test Requirement

All attendees will be required to show either proof of full vaccination of COVID-19 or a negative COVID diagnostic test (PCR or antigen). If choosing to use the diagnostic test for entry, the test must be completed within 48 hours of the day of attendance. 

In accordance with national US health policies, people are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks after their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

If you don’t meet the above listed vaccination requirements, we will not consider you fully vaccinated and therefore cannot be admitted to All Things Open. You can still be admitted, however, if you can show a negative COVID diagnostic test that was completed within 48 hours of your arrival to the event.

Need to know how / where to get a COVID diagnostic test? Happy to help! COVID diagnostic testing is now widely available and is FREE. A guide to COVID testing locations in North Carolina can be found here.  

Diagnostic Testing

COVID diagnostic testing is now widely available and is often FREE. A guide to COVID testing locations in North Carolina can be found here. In addition, multiple locations in Wake County NC offer free testing – there is no cost, no ID required, no appointments necessary and results are available in 12-24 hours from the time a sample is received. Details can be found here. 

Do Not Attend

duals should not attend the event if you are COVID-positive, are exhibiting COVID symptoms (as defined by the CDC), or are unvaccinated and have been exposed, within 14 days prior to the event, to someone who was COVID-positive or showed COVID symptoms. *All Things Open will issue full refunds to anyone fitting this criteria, no questions asked.

Travel

Anyone traveling to the event should read and abide by the CDC’s Travel Guidelines for domestic and international travel listed here. Again, please respect fellow attendees and do everything possible to ensure an environment that is as safe as possible. If traveling internationally, please view the link below as there is a requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations today in the U.S. are freely available and are increasingly becoming available worldwide. While we understand opinions on this differ we strongly encourage attendees to at least consider the opportunity. A U.S. based location guide can be found here.

What Else Are We Doing? 

We’re Working With Local Officials

We continue to work with our host location (The Raleigh Convention Center) and other local and state entities to make onsite as safe as possible. 

A few of the things being done include:

• We’re working with the Convention Center to ensure enhanced cleaning and air filtration measures are implemented onsite, and that cleaning products (sanitizers, masks, etc.) are readily available and located throughout the space. This will reduce the probability of infection and spread.
• We’re working hard to better utilize outdoor spaces around the Convention Center, and around the greater downtown area as a whole. Fresh air is a good thing, and we want to expose attendees to it as much as possible.
• We’re working with our Convention Center food vendor to implement enhanced food safety protocols. We always make lunch available to attendees and all participants to prevent having to go offsite to eat/drink. We’re working to make eating and drinking as safe as possible.

We’re limiting overall attendance to decrease traffic and room congestion

In 2019, the last year we hosted an in-person event, just under 5,000 registered and attended. As a result, hallways and breakout rooms were packed and bustling both days. We’re reducing those numbers in 2021 and will implement spacing measures to allow for distancing between attendees.

We’re limiting the number of overall (onsite) tracks and sessions

As a result, there will be previously utilized breakout rooms that will go unused this year. The goal is to decrease congestion and allow for distancing.

We’re reconfiguring the floor and exhibit areas

The goal here is to again decrease traffic congestion and increase space between attendees and exhibitors, and among exhibitors themselves.

We’re working with networking host sites and partners to ensure best-practice safety protocols are in place and that outdoor space is fully utilized.

All are eager to work with us to make any onsite experience the absolute safest it can be.

Let us know of any additional safety measures we can take to ensure a safe environment in October. Drop us a line at [email protected] with suggestions and/or recommendations.