WEFTEC 2021 - Where the Water Community Comes to Connect

You can expect to see that your health and wellbeing are prioritized, and that a range of measures are in place to maintain a healthy, hygienic, and enjoyable event experience for everyone involved.

WEFTEC 2021 will operate according to prevailing U.S. federal, State of Illinois, and City of Chicago government and health authority guidance as well as venue-specific regulations. As of May 4 this includes but is not limited to

• daily digital health screenings via questionnaires pushed to registrants’ mobile devices;
• requiring masks to be worn over the nose and mouth indoors and on shuttle buses;
• providing resources for hand hygiene;
• limiting capacities on shuttle buses and in meeting and session rooms according to physical distancing guidance; and
• more frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch or high-traffic areas and overnight deep cleaning.

For exhibitor-specific standards, practices and questions, please review the exhibitor FAQs.

Hotels are eager to welcome WEFTEC 2021 guests. Learn what measures each major hotel brand has taken to protect your health and wellness:

• Best Western – We Care Clean Program
• Hilton – Clean Stay
• Hyatt – Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment
• IHG – Way of Clean
• Marriott – Commitment to Clean
• Red Roof - RediClean

Everyone is required to read and accept a WEF General and COVID Waiver when they register to participate in WEFTEC 2021.

Health and wellbeing expectations, protocols, and standards will be communicated to all registrants in advance.

In Chicago, signage and floor markings will be displayed throughout McCormick Place to remind everyone to wear a mask and maintain physical distance as well as to alert them to cleanliness and hygiene expectations for all participants.

We are closely monitoring McCormick Place’s regulations and the advice from government and health authorities on if and how participants should be screened.

As of May 4 this may mean requiring everyone to

• provide proof of vaccination or of a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72-hours prior to arrival in Chicago and/or
• complete daily digital health questionnaires pushed via text or email to your mobile device each morning.

Anyone that self-reports symptoms of concern would be denied entry to McCormick Place.

If screening measures are put into action during WEFTEC, we will let registrants know what to expect in advance.

As of May 4, WEF is asking everyone to wear a well-fitting face mask when visiting the exhibition, attending sessions and meetings, riding shuttle buses, and engaging with other participants. Masks can be removed for eating/drinking.

Disposable masks will be provided if needed.

Some people are exempt from the requirement to wear a mask, including but not limited to

• children under the age of 2 years and
• people with disabilities who cannot wear a mask or cannot safely wear a mask for reasons related to their disability.

If governments or health authorities are advising the use of additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as eye coverings or gloves, we will advise registrants accordingly so they can come prepared.

Exhibition floor plans have been adjusted to enable everyone to maintian physical distance. This includes wider aisles, added spacing between inline booths, and increased space in concession and other seating areas.

In session and meeting rooms, chairs and tables will be spaced according to prevailing physical distancing guidance. Expect extended 45-minute to 1-hour breaks between sessions and meetings to allow for air circulation and cleaning.

If queuing/lining-up is anticipated, we will display signage to remind everyone to maintain the minimum physical distance. We may stagger entry times if we anticipate queues/lines to enter McCormick Place.