(Updated 19 October 2021)
From its inception, the AMS has been committed to health and safety. As we continue to plan for the 102nd Annual Meeting, our highest priority remains the health and safety of everyone attending the meeting as well as the community of Houston, Texas. As such, we are closely monitoring news and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the World Health Organization, and local health agencies regarding travel and events. We will be using this news and guidance, as well as the results of several attendee surveys, to evolve and update this Commitment to Care statement. We encourage you to check back often as the meeting approaches.
While we will be enforcing the guidelines outlined below in the AMS meeting space at the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton of the Americas, we highly recommend that attendees also follow these guidelines while traveling to/from and throughout Houston.
All attendees (presenters, program chairs, session chairs, exhibit booth staff, volunteers, attendees, guests, press, AMS staff) will be required to agree to the AMS 102nd Annual Meeting Health and Safety Policy and Waiver, before completing their registration. Any attendee who is not able to adhere to the in-person guidelines set forth in that Policy and Waiver, or in this Commitment to Care statement, should plan to participate in the robust remote options we are offering during this fully hybrid meeting:
All in-person attendees at the 102nd Annual Meeting must provide proof of full vaccination and complete a daily health survey before entering our meeting space in Houston, TX.
We will require that all attendees wear a mask covering their nose and mouth while in the 102nd Annual Meeting space. Masks may only be removed when actively eating or drinking while stationary. Given all of the other precautions we’ll have in place, presenters and speakers can also choose to remove their masks while presenting and stationary if they are able to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others.
Please reference the CDC’s Guide to Masks for information on proper mask selection, wearing, cleaning, and storing.
While we do encourage that you bring plenty of your own proper masks with you to Houston, disposable masks will also be available at the AMS Info Desks and at Health and Safety Stations located throughout the Hilton of the Americas.
While we do not require that participants submit a negative Covid-19 test result in order to attend the 102nd Annual Meeting, all travelers should follow recommendations set for by the CDC for domestic and international travel as well as check requirements set forth by their travel providers (planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation).
To find testing locations near the hotel and how to receive at home test through insurance click here.
Other options for Covid-19 testing, please visit this page to find the nearest location.
We will have a healthcare partner available onsite to address the healthcare needs of attendees who become ill at the Hilton of the Americas.
Attendees who become ill outside of the Hilton of the Americas should not attempt to enter AMS meeting space and should visit a nearby healthcare facility:
AMS staff members and the Overall Planning Committee, in consultation with event industry leaders and venue officials, are currently considering several options to reduce crowding and congestion throughout the 102nd Annual Meeting space. There will also be signage throughout to remind attendees to practice physical distancing when possible.
The schedule for the AMS 102nd Annual Meeting includes longer breaks and an additional poster viewing (on Thursday) to reduce attendee crowding and congestion.
Chairs in session rooms and set around tables at food and beverage functions will be set at 50% capacity.
Exhibitors will be required to design their booth spaces according to CDC and WHO guidelines.
We are asking exhibitors to consider how they will offer giveaways for products and hosted events in ways that will help us with crowd control and social distancing at receptions and through exhibit hours.
Food and beverage items will be individually packaged and if not, will be served by an attendant. Items will be available from an increased number of stations to reduce congestion and crowding.
Attendees will be provided with three colored bracelets and stickers which they can use to indicate their personal level of contact comfort to others while at the AMS 102nd Annual Meeting (optional):
Red: Please keep your distance
Yellow: Elbow/fist bumps are ok
Green: Handshakes/hugs are welcome
Registration and badge pickup will take place at self-serve kiosks. Attendees will print their own badges on-demand in the registration area at the Hilton of the Americas.
Concessions sold at the George R Brown Convention Center can be purchased with cashless options.
The George R Brown Convention Center:
Hilton of the Americas:
Marriott Marquis:
There are multiple hand sanitizing stations located throughout the AMS 102nd Annual Meeting space.
All AMS 102nd Annual Meeting hotels and venues have increased cleaning/disinfecting of high touch surfaces such as handles, buttons, and handrails.
Each exhibiting organization will be responsible for the cleanliness and sanitization of their space. We recommend products and instruments be wiped down between demonstrations and have hand sanitizer available for those visiting the booth space.
Information on Health and Safety in Houston can be found here.
The George R Brown Convention Center’s Health and Safety Plan can be found here.
Information on the Hilton CleanStay Program can be found here.
Marriott’s Commitment to Clean can be found here.