To all,

We are looking forward to being together again at our 34^th annual NYSSEA conference.

Planning this year’s conference is unique, in many ways, and the health and safety of our attendees is paramount.

As you know, the dynamics surrounding COVID-19 are changing daily – sometimes hourly. When NYSSEA decided, at our June board meeting, to move forward with our in-person event (per our contractual agreement with Turning Stone Resort and Casino), things looked very optimistic for the safety of live events. The delta variant has shifted things, and we’re following CDC, state, local, and Turning Stone guidelines closely.

As we move ahead and look forward to seeing so many of you in October, we understand that many of you are waiting to see what happens before you decide, finally, whether or not to attend.

In view of our decision to proceed, the safety of our guests is a top priority. NYSSEA is dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our attendees. Turning Stone posts its safety guidelines (https://www.turningstone.com/page/health-and-safety) and publishes a COVID-related letter from their CEO (https://www.turningstone.com/press/news/resort/letter-from-ceo-ray-halbritter-regarding-covid-19-coronavirus). While NYSSEA has no control over the Turning Stone facility, NYSSEA will:

• Require proof of vaccination for all attendees
• Provide NYSSEA facial masks and hand sanitizer
• Ensure we have ample classroom and meeting room space to allow for social distancing
• Work with the hotel on food and beverage logistics
• Assure that Turning Stone has ample hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility – and we will also provide attendees with individual hand sanitizer containers
• Require facial masks in our meeting areas (when not eating or drinking)



The situation is fluid, and we will provide additional updates as needed.

For those who wish to cancel their registration due to concerns over COVID-19, we will be happy to roll your registration over to 2022 or issue a refund (according to the refund schedule published here http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ei6nwwxv996ef1b2&llr=7blrmrbab).

On behalf of the Conference and Conference Education Committees and our Board of Directors, we hope you understand and respect our decision making to ensure the best and safest possible event for you, our members.

Please feel free to contact me and/or Koreen Jervis, EA, your indefatigable conference chair, with any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Phyllis Jo Kubey, EA CFP® NTPI Fellow

President, New York State Society of Enrolled Agents (NYSSEA)