NHF’S COVID-19 Duty of Care

NHF’s BDC is being continuously planned with caution, with our leadership routinely reviewing all health and safety factors affecting the conference. Currently, we believe that we can safely bring our community together with strong protocols in place. Should there be any CDC and/or state guidelines that are imposed during the meeting dates, or major COVID-19 and variant outbreak changes, updates to the conference format can be found on this page.

NHF’s priority is always the health and well-being of our community. Our Duty of Care is a living document that will continue to evolve, as we work closely with the sponsors, vendors, and hotels to create a strong safety plan for BDC.

Expected behavior for all attendees:

  • All attendees (ages 5 years or older) are required to be fully vaccinated and will be asked to show proof of vaccination when they pick up their registration badge. Fully vaccinated means 2 weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine. NHF strongly recommends all attendees to have the booster shot as well. Those with medical or religious exemptions must notify NHF during the registration process and must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of arriving to the conference. 
  • Attendees may be subject to testing when on-site.
  • All attendees acknowledge that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. 
  • All attendees must always wear their name badge. In addition, name badges will have level of personal comfort indicators. 
  • Face coverings (masks) will be always required in meeting rooms and common areas of the convention center and hotels. Masks will be provided to those who do not have one.
  • The conference is being planned with social distancing in mind. Standing and/or congregating in the back of meeting rooms is not allowed. Meeting rooms will be closed once maximum capacity is met. 
  • Hand sanitizing stations will be present throughout the venue.
  • All attendees are encouraged to follow signage and floor decals that are used for social distancing and other safety reminders in common areas. Only registered attendees will be allowed in the event space.
  • Food distribution will follow CDC guidelines.
  • International attendees will need to show proof of full vaccination with any of the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization and the US State Department as listed on the CDC website.
  • Stay Home When Appropriate: If you have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, feel sick or unwell, or if have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19, please do not attend the conference.

Individuals not in compliance with all Health and Safety Protocols may be asked to leave the conference. Refunds will not be provided.

*NHF’s COVID-19 Duty of Care is subject to change at any time. All changes will be updated on this page.

This information was last updated April 28, 2022.