A MESSAGE FROM VEDA PRESIDENT STEVE HARRISON
On behalf of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, we would like to extend our sincere thanks for your dedication to VEDA throughout the pandemic. Your participation in impactED, virtual conferences, shared interest groups, strategic work groups, and on committee calls has enabled VEDA to emerge from this season as a stronger, larger, and more impactful organization. Through exercising caution and fully utilizing our virtual capabilities, more people than ever have been able to benefit from the networking, public policy advocacy, and professional development offerings from VEDA.
As we prepare to come back together in person next week, we are committed to exercising that same caution that has guided us these many months. It is with that in mind that we will institute the following protocols throughout the conference:
- Masks will be encouraged when not eating or drinking but will not be required for those who have been fully vaccinated. (Honor system in place)
- Masks will be required for those who have not been fully vaccinated and we request having a negative COVID test within 48 hours of attending the VEDA Fall Conference. (Honor system in place)
- Temperatures will be taken at the door of indoor events.
Other measures being taken:
- VEDA will provide disposable face masks.
- The hotel will provide hand sanitizer stations throughout the conference center.
- VEDA will provide red, yellow, and green wristbands for attendees to display your comfort level in networking/social distancing. We ask that you respect other attendees wishes in social distancing.
- The seating at all sessions and meal functions during the conference is spread out to allow for social distancing.
At VEDA we are firmly committed to providing our members with a value unmatched by any other association; right now that can be showcased by prioritizing our collective health. Should you have questions or concerns about the conference, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
We cannot wait to welcome you to Norfolk next week and get back to what we do best: learning from each other. See you soon!
Steve Harrison
President, Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA)
