WLA ANNUAL CONFERENCE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

UPDATED 9/30/2021

WLA staff, board of directors, and the annual conference committee continue to monitor local conditions and work closely with staff at the event venues to ensure this year’s conference is safe for everyone.   

Masks

The Brown County Public Health (BCPH), the De Pere Health Department, and the Oneida Nation Health Department are strongly recommending masking in indoor settings even if you are vaccinated to protect those who are unvaccinated and those who are immunocompromised.  The Hyatt Regency Green Bay’s safety policy states that masks are required in all public areas of the hotel and are optional in the contracted meeting rooms.  We do not have the staff or volunteer capacity to enforce a mask mandate, however WLA expects attendees and exhibitors to wear masks during the conference unless actively eating or drinking.  WLA will provide disposable masks to any attendees in need and will have masks and hand sanitizer dispensers available in various places throughout the conference area.  

Room Arrangements 

Seating at the conference will be arranged to allow for social distancing.  There will be three feet of distance between chairs for breakout sessions and other sessions that are set theater style; seating at round tables, such as for luncheons, will have reduced seating per table to have attendees sit further apart than usual.  All program spaces will have ample space at the front of the room to allow for speakers to social distance from the audience.   Finally, we are working with the exhibition booth company to ensure the exhibit hall layout allows for ample social distancing. 

Safety Protocols at Outside Venues

The conference also offers attendees several fun, educational events at venues outside the convention hall.  These locations are also taking steps to ensure your safety.  

The Neville Museum

Museum staff and volunteers will be wearing masks.  Masks are optional for vaccinated guests, but they ask that unvaccinated guests please wear a mask.  In addition, 

  • Museum  housekeeping and guest services staff have been trained to keep public areas clean and disinfected before, during, and after your visit.
  • Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the Museum.
  • Maintain physical distancing of at least six feet from other guests and staff.
  • The number of guests is limited to ensure adequate space for physical distancing.

Brown County Library

Per CDC and Brown County Public Health guidelines, masks and appropriate social distancing are strongly recommended, regardless of vaccination status. 

National Railroad Museum

Masks are required for visitors (age 2 and up) and staff.  Hand sanitizing stations and social distancing prompts can be found throughout the Museum.  Additional safety protocols can be found here. 

 

WLA staff and the conference committee will continue to monitor guidance from local public health departments and will send you updates as needed.  Thank you for doing your part to help keep everyone safe and feeling comfortable during their conference experience!   We look forward to seeing you in Green Bay.