2022 CONNECT (X) COVID PROTOCOLS

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) is committed to the health and safety of our attendees, partners, and staff and to safely gathering the industry at Connect (X). We look forward to seeing you on-site in Denver.

Please note that we will continue to update our testing and screening protocols in alignment with CDC recommendations. Our current plans for on-site safety screening protocols are outlined below and may change before the show in May. Check this page often for the latest updates.

 

Before You Travel

Testing/Vaccination

Attendees will be required to:

Provide proof of an FDA approved negative Covid-19 PCR, Antigen or Molecular test that is date and time stamped within 72 hours of the date and time you first enter the event; OR

Provide proof of vaccination by providing their original vaccination card, a printed copy of the vaccination card or a digital copy.

• If you are feeling unwell prior to the event, please do not travel. You can access show content, interact with attendees & exhibitors, and even schedule meetings, via our online platform.
• If you have recently been exposed to Covid-19 and/or are awaiting test results, please do not travel. You can access show content, interact with attendees & exhibitors, and even schedule meetings, via our online platform.

 

On-Site Protocols

Health Screenings

• All attendees will receive a temperature check upon arrival on-site.
• All attendees will be asked to present their negative PCR test results OR vaccination card for verification.
• PCR test results must be lab-verified.  Most labs send results via email or mobile app.  You must be able to present a printout of that email or display a screenshot of that negative test on your mobile device.  Those results must clearly display:
  • Name (must match the name on your government ID)
  • Birthdate (must match your government ID)
  • Date of the test
  • Test Result (Negative)
• All attendees will be asked to respond to a simple set of screening questions about recent exposure to COVID-19.  Due to the risks presented by the Omicron variant, any attendees with significant exposure to COVID-19 will be asked to take a rapid PCR test provided they have not already provided proof of one taken in the last 72 hours.
• Vaccinated attendees will be required to provide proof of vaccination.
  • Proof of vaccination can be submitted via a physical vaccination card or a clear photo of your vaccination card on a mobile device.
  • The name and birth date on the vaccination card must match the name and birth date on your government-issued photo ID.
• Rapid PCR tests will be administered on-site by a medical professional to attendees (at no cost to you) who arrive at Connect (X) without a negative test or a completed vaccination card or to vaccinated attendees who indicate that they have had significant exposure to COVID-19 as noted above.
• We will have on-site testing available in limited quantities. Please do not rely on being able to be tested at the event to gain entrance.
• Compliance with on-site health screenings as outlined above is required for event entrance. This includes all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers without exception.
• This screening process will take additional time, so please plan to arrive early and allow yourself extra time before any scheduled meetings or appointments.
• If you are unvaccinated, we strongly recommend completing your own negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arriving at Connect (X).  On-site testing resources will be limited. 

 

Masks

• Masks will be required at Connect (X) for all indoor activities including in the following locations
• General + Keynote Sessions
  • Breakout Sessions
  • Exhibition floor
  • Meeting rooms
  • Networking events (unless actively eating or drinking)
• Masks will be available for any attendee who needs one.

Social Distancing

• Room set-ups have been modified, where possible, to encourage social distancing.
• Large gathering locations, including the General Session/Keynote room will be set to accommodate social distancing.
  • Satellite screening locations for General Session & Keynote Sessions will also be available in the lobby and other areas to further facilitate social distancing.

 

Hand Sanitizer

• Personal-sized hand sanitizer will be provided to you in your registration bag.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be positioned throughout the meeting space along with signage reminding you to wash and sanitize your hands frequently.

Personal Accountability Commitment

• By attending Connect (X) 2022, you agree to abide by and engage in certain health-and-safety beneficial conduct while attending the event. This includes, but is not limited to, self-reporting COVID-19 illness, respectfully abiding by requests from venue and WIA staff, and excusing yourself from the event if you are ill or have recently been exposed to COVID-19.

FAQ

• Are you requiring attendees to be vaccinated?
  • Connect (X) is open to those who complete a negative PCR test.  Vaccinated attendees can opt-out of providing a negative PCR test provided they have not been exposed to COVID-19 (through our on-site verbal screening process).
• How can I submit my PCR test?
  • You may either print out the email from the lab or you may display the results to on your mobile device as long as it clearly displays your name, birth date, date of the test, and the test result.
• Do I need to bring my vaccination card with me?
  • You can either present your physical card or display it on your mobile device provided both your name and birth date are clearly legible and match your government-issued photo ID.
• I only have only received 1 vaccination shot (of a 2 shot sequence from Pfizer or Moderna). Can I bypass the PCR test requirement?
  • No. Please come with a completed negative PCR test.

• I am fully vaccinated (2 shot sequence from Pfizer or Moderna) and boosted. Can I bypass the PCR test requirement?

• • • No. Please come with a completed negative PCR test.

• If I already had COVID, do I have to submit a negative PCR test?
  • All attendees must submit either a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination.
• What are the COVID-19 exposure screening questions for vaccinated attendees?
  • Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours:
    • 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
  • Within the past 14 days, have you been in close physical contact (6 feet or closer for a cumulative total of 15 minutes) with:
    • Anyone who is known to have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19? OR
    • Anyone who has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19?
  • Are you isolating or quarantining because you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 or are worried that you may be sick with COVID-19?
  • Are you currently waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test?
• What happens if I cannot take a PCR test prior to attending Connect (X)?
  • All attendees who need a test, will be given one on-site, administered by a medical professional, at no cost. However, our testing resources and supplies are limited, and availability is not guaranteed.
  • Rapid PCR test wait times can be 20-25 minutes, so plan to arrive early and potentially wait in line, but no one will be turned away from the event for not arriving with a completed test.
• I tested positive at Connect(X).  Now what do I do?
  • Any attendees who test positive on site will be given an additional test and asked to self-isolate until the results of that test are conclusive.
• I took a PCR test before traveling and it came back positive. Should I come to Connect (X)?
  • Please stay home until you pass consecutive PCR tests 24 hours apart. You can still participate in Connect (X) through our online platform with access to all keynotes, general sessions, and meeting settings. Alternatively, we would be happy to offer you the opportunity to defer your pass to 2023. Contact events@wia.org to pursue this option.
• With all of these new testing protocols, will you still require masks on-site?
  • Masks will be required onsite as outlined above, per CDC guidelines for large gatherings. We cannot ensure other people in close contact with Connect (X) attendees in Denver (hotel, transportation, etc.) are all fully COVID-free. Masks are still an important part of preventing the transmission of infection.

 

For those unable to join us in person, we will be offering programming through our online platform which will include live-streaming sessions, interactive 1:1 meetings, and networking opportunities. If, for any reason, you can no longer attend this year’s event in person, please contact events@wia.org to have your registration transferred to Connect (X) 2023.